| Today's Top Story |  |  | | - Advanced biofuels industry braces for federal spending cuts
The advanced biofuels industry could face difficult times as key federal programs come under greater scrutiny from a budget-conscious Congress, writes Mackinnon Lawrence, an analyst at Pike Research. Rolling back key federal policies and programs that promote advanced biofuels would lead to "a great deal of uncertainty" for the industry, and energy provisions in next year's Farm Bill are especially important, Lawrence writes. Reuters (11/30)        | Earn 2X rewards points on shipping costs with The New Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. Designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster:
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  - Midstage trial backs safety of Cytokinetics drug for ALS
Cytokinetics said experimental drug CK-2017357 did not cause serious adverse events in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, during a Phase II trial. The treatment is designed to stimulate a key protein to improve nerve-signal sensitivity, responsiveness, force and endurance in the muscle. Bloomberg (11/30) - Researchers program blood cells to attack melanoma
Researchers said they have succeeded in directing blood stem cells to form cancer-killing T-cells that can locate and eliminate melanoma in mice. "These cells can exist in the periphery of the blood and if they detect the melanoma antigen, they can replicate to fight the cancer," said researcher Dimitrios Vatakis. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. United Press International (11/29) - Studies explore possible causes, symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Research published in the Annals of Neurology showed that exposure to industrial solvents trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene increases Parkinson's disease risk. Another study by Children's Hospital Boston researchers revealed that malfunctioning mitochondria cause brain cell death, which takes away Parkinson's patients' ability to move, speak or even swallow. In a third study, Parkin protein mutations appeared to impair cells' fat-absorption ability, which has been linked to a higher risk of damage and poor performance of brain cells. The Republic (Columbus, Ind.)/Scripps Howard News Service (11/30) - Gene reprogramming holds promise for obesity
Reprogramming certain metabolic genes in the muscle appeared to boost exercise performance and improve the muscle's capacity to burn sugar, researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in Orlando, Fla., found. The results may lead to the development of new treatments designed to address obesity, metabolic disorders and diabetes, experts said. Google/The Press Association (U.K.) (11/30)  | The Cutting Edge of Chemistry is a free report from Thomson Reuters, delivering an action-packed review of the latest synthesis schemes, scaffolds, mechanisms of action, and new structures shaping today's drug discovery and development pipeline. Extensively researched, this report gives you a deeper insight into the latest chemistry news that matters to you. Access the report here! |
 - Idera again has sole rights to cancer compound
Idera Pharmaceuticals regained worldwide rights to IMO-2055, a toll-like receptor antagonist, after Merck KGaA ended their development partnership. Idera shares rose on the news that it will continue developing the compound. Merck KGaA agreed to finish a Phase II study testing IMO-2055 plus Eli Lilly and Co.'s Erbitux, or cetuximab, for cancer of the head and neck. Idera said it will reimburse Merck KGaA for trial-related expenses. Xconomy/Boston (11/30)  | Developments in the Use of PAT and Laboratory Automation
Technical breakthroughs for better understanding and characterization of chemical or biochemical processes are key to meet today’s industry challenges. Integration of process analyzers and process automation with multivariate tools for design, data acquisition and analysis is critical. Register for the webinar. |
 | Industry Deals | | | |
| Food & Agriculture | | | | - Experts: Biotech will boost Nigeria's cassava yields, nutritional value
The application of biotechnology in Nigeria's cassava production will not only enhance yields but also the crop's nutritional content and disease resistance, said principal research officer Alfred Ubalua of the National Root Crops Research Institute. Efforts to improve cassava varieties by combining conventional breeding methods and molecular technology have already led to a number of improved cassava varieties, including UMUCASS 33, a variety developed through molecular breeding for higher yields and tolerance of acidic soil, according to Nigerian researchers. Leadership Nigeria (11/29) | News from BIO | | | | - BIOtechNOW
BIOtechNOW is the first in a number of new products from BIO intended to enhance our communications with the biotech community -- not only with our members, but with other stakeholders as well. This monthly e-newsletter, combined with its website, serves as our flagship in that effort. BIOtechNOW will offer original content that emphasizes the business needs of the industry; highlight BIO's advocacy efforts; and provide a portal to all BIO activities and events. Most importantly, it will spotlight for those outside the industry the value of biotechnology. Sign up for the monthly BIOtechNOW e-newsletter.
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