Most Clicked BIO SmartBrief Stories
1. Vaccines become more attractive to drug developers
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Vaccines are catching up with prescription drugs as the most lucrative segment of the pharmaceutical business, as more biotech and drug firms invest in vaccine development. GlaxoSmithKline opened a vaccine-packaging plant in Pennsylvania in a bid to topple Merck & Co. as a global leader in vaccine manufacturing, while Johnson & Johnson plans to build a full vaccine portfolio that includes a universal flu shot and a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. Google (11/18)
2. Qiagen is prepared for more acquisitions, CFO says
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009
Dutch biotech firm Qiagen has almost $1 billion to spend on acquisitions and might use $200 million to $500 million to fund deals next year, Chief Financial Officer Roland Sackers said. "Now is a good time because we have seen that prices in areas we are looking for, such as molecular diagnostics and applied testing, have become more attractive than 12 to 18 months ago," Sackers said. Bloomberg (11/18)
3. Onyx finalizes acquisition of Proteolix
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
Onyx Pharmaceuticals paid $276 million in cash to complete the acquisition of Proteolix. The purchase gives Onyx access to Proteolix's carfilzomib, a multiple myeloma drug. American City Business Journals (11/16)
4. GINA law to take effect this month
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which prohibits employers and health insurers from using an individual's genetic background in making employment and coverage decisions, is set to take effect Nov. 21. "The message to employees is they should now be able to get whatever genetic counseling or testing they need and be less fearful about doing so," said Peggy R. Mastroianni, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's associate legal counsel. New York Times, The (11/15)
5. Drug executives list pros, cons of health reform
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Health reform legislation could increase drug benefits and decrease the cost of medications, potentially improving the public's perception of the pharmaceutical industry, said Jane Horvath, Merck & Co.'s senior director of public policy. However, the bill could mean more contribution from the industry through "Medicaid-style rebates" and also compromise relationships with academic researchers, said Horvath, whose concerns were echoed by other drug executives at a biotech conference in Philadelphia. Wall Street Journal, The (11/18)
6. DeCODE Genetics files for bankruptcy protection
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
DeCODE Genetics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and reached an agreement with Saga Investments to take over its Iceland-based subsidiary. The genomics company declared a total debt of $313.9 million as of June 30 in a bankruptcy court filing in Delaware. Reuters (11/17)
7. Advanced Cell Technology seeks FDA clearance for stem cell trial
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2009
Advanced Cell Technology submitted an investigational new-drug application to conduct an early-stage trial of a stem cell therapy for Stargardt's macular dystrophy, a cause of juvenile blindness. The technique centers on retinal cells developed from human embryonic stem cells. Mass High Tech (11/19)
8. Niacin outperforms Zetia in study of cholesterol treatments
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Merck & Co.'s Zetia failed to outperform Niaspan, a modified form of vitamin B, in reducing plaque buildup in arteries and boosting the level of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, in a study of 200 patients taking statins. Merck officials and critics of the study downplayed the findings, saying the trial examined only the amount of plaque on artery walls, a surrogate marker, and not the rate of heart attack or stroke. Washington Post, The (11/16)
9. 2 former U.S. presidents to attend BIO convention in Chicago
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009
Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are scheduled on May 4 to serve as co-keynote speakers at the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago. Former Vice President Al Gore is also expected to deliver a keynote speech on May 5 at the three-day conference, which is expected to attract more than 15,000 industry executives. "The participation of Presidents Bush and Clinton, as well as Vice President Gore, underscore the growing importance of biotechnology to address some of the world's most pressing issues," said Abbott Laboratories CEO Miles White. Chicago Tribune (11/16)
10. Scientists link 5 genes to inflammatory bowel disease in children
BIO SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009
An international group of researchers discovered five genes that appear to play a role in childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease and found a biological process that causes inflammation in the digestive system related to the condition. "Pinpointing how specific genes act on biological pathways provides a basis for ultimately personalizing medicine to an individual's genetic profile," said one of the researchers. United Press International (11/16)
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Companies in the news
- Actelion Ltd
- Affymax Inc.
- AstraZeneca PLC
- Bayer Schering Pharma
- Biogen IDEC Inc.
- Genentech
- Genzyme
- GlaxoSmithKline plc
- Merck & Co.
- Nabi Biopharmaceuticals
- Pfizer
- Regeneron Pharmaceutical
- Vivus Inc.
- Watson Pharmaceuticals
- Wockhardt Limited