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| FasterCures SmartBrief |
| November 19, 2009 |
More drug firms invest in vaccine R&D
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/The Associated Press (11/17)
Partnering for Cures, Dec. 1 to 3, New York City
In two weeks, hundreds of medical research leaders, funders and decision-makers will convene at the inaugural Partnering for Cures meeting to explore innovative approaches to pursuing high-risk, long-term investments that could lead to medical breakthroughs. Join us in New York City on Dec. 1 to 3 and help catalyze a more effective and efficient medical research enterprise.
Scientists develop silicon-based chip for diagnosing diseases
Swiss scientists have developed a silicon-based chip that can show disease markers in the blood when placed under light. The device is cost-effective, needs only a small amount of blood to be able to diagnose diseases and gives out results in minutes, the researchers said. "We are giving back precious minutes to doctors so they can make informed and accurate decisions right at the time they need them most to save lives," a researcher said. BBC (11/18)
Imaging apoptosis could help determine cancer treatment efficacy
Researchers are developing a targeted contrast agent that will allow for the imaging of tumor cell death through spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Imaging apoptotic cells could help determine whether cancer treatments are effective and direct drug development and treatment management, the researchers said. HealthImaging.com (11/18)
Swedish Medical offers telemedicine link to stroke team
Swedish Medical Center in Seattle is offering the services of its stroke team to rural hospitals via telemedicine technology. The system allows CT scans and other diagnostic images to be transferred to Swedish Medical Center for evaluation and consultation. Healthcare IT News (11/18)
Drugmamkers to invest in U.K. Innovation Fund
Major drugmakers expressed interest in investing in the U.K. Innovation Fund, said Paul Drayson, Britain's minister for science and innovation. The fund, which will make its first investment next year, aims to raise about $1.6 billion during the next decade for biotech firms and other technology startups. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/17)
Ignite Institute plans center for genetic research
The Ignite Institute for Individualized Health plans to set up a 300,000-square-foot genetic research center in Fairfax County, Va., that would bring in 415 jobs in the next five years and would collaborate with Inova Health System, said Dietrich Stephan, the nonprofit group's founder and geneticist. Research at the $200 million facility is expected to focus on personalized medicine. The Washington Post (11/17)
EraGen, Illumina partner on genetic test technologies
EraGen Biosciences, a maker of molecular diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, has agreed to partner and signed nonexclusive licensing deals with Illumina that will enable it to further develop its genetic tests using some of Illumina's technologies. Eragen said it expects the partnership to broaden its product portfolio. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (tiered subscription model) (11/18)
Senate unveils health care reform bill
The Congressional Budget Office said the Senate's health care bill would cut the U.S. budget deficit by about $130 billion in its first 10 years. The measure presented by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., would extend coverage to 31 million Americans but would also delay the rollout of the new program to 2014. The first test of the measure's fate in the Senate will come in a procedural vote expected on Friday or Saturday, when Reid will need 60 votes to overcome Republican opposition and begin debate. The Washington Post (11/19) The Wall Street Journal (11/19) NYTimes.com (11/18)
FDA names Temple as CDER deputy director for clinical science
Bob Temple was named deputy director for clinical science at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation & Research. With the assignment, Temple's role as acting director of the Office for Drug Evaluation I will no longer include drug promotion and marketing. TheRPMReport.com (11/16)
Green chosen as director of NIH genome research institute
The NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute has chosen Dr. Eric Green, a research scientist and former scientific director of the institute, to serve as director, effective Dec. 1. "My job going forward is to ... find effective ways to collaborate with a wide range of researchers to translate genomic discoveries into medical advances," Green said. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (11/19)
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