| Today's Top Story |  |  | | - Bioethicist: EU ban on ESC patents will set back research
The European Court of Justice's ruling that products based on embryonic stem cells cannot be patented has made it impossible to conduct research in the EU on ethically obtained cell lines, law and bioethics professor Aurora Plomer writes. "The court's ban will deter investment and frustrate the EU's goal of harmonising laws to speed up the development of regenerative treatments that are anticipated to offer huge therapeutic potential, notably against diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," she writes. The Guardian (London)/Notes & Theories blog (12/12)        | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
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  - Adcetris shows promise as part of first-line regimen for lymphoma
A Phase I study evaluating Seattle Genetics' Adcetris in patients newly diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma found the treatment safe and well-tolerated when added to standard first-line chemotherapy regimen. Adcetris, co-developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical unit Millennium, was approved by the FDA this year to treat patients for whom other treatments failed. Bloomberg (12/13) - Early transplantation benefits older, higher-risk MDS patients in study
Older patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes who received early stem cell transplantation and reduced-intensity chemotherapy survived longer than those who did not get transplants, a study found. Researchers, who reported their findings at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, said that older patients with lower-risk MDS should not get early stem cell transplantation unless their quality of life is considerably diminished. MDSBeacon.com (12/13) - Study looks at mutation risk for cultured stem cells
Prolonged stem cell cultures are at risk for mutation in chromosome 20, according to a study the journal Nature Biotechnology. Researchers from the University of Melbourne analyzed 138 stem cell lines and discovered mutations in about 20% due to amplifications of a region in chromosome 20. "While it is reassuring that 75 percent of the stem cell lines studied remained normal after prolonged growth in the laboratory, detecting and eliminating abnormal cells is an absolute prerequisite for clinical use of stem cell products," said study co-author Martin Pera. ZME Science (12/13) - Partnership yields world's largest autism database
Autism Speaks donated information from its Autism Genetic Resource Exchange to the NIH's National Database for Autism Research, creating what might be the world's largest repository of autism-related research data. The database lists more than 171,000 records from about 25,000 individuals. "The collaboration between AGRE and NDAR exemplifies the efforts of government and stakeholders to work together for a common cause," said Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, in a press release. Health Data Management (12/12)  - N.Y. to invest $49.7M in biotech development
New York announced a $49.7 million investment in biotechnology-focused research institutes, incubators and businesses through the state's Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. Grants will fund the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's new cancer drug testing facility, a medical device prototyping facility located at the Buffalo Niagara, Medical Campus, and the Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research at New York Medical College, among other projects. GenomeWeb Daily News (12/12) - Ono and Receptos will co-develop GPCR drugs
Ono Pharmaceutical and Receptos will jointly develop small-molecule modulators against an unidentified G-protein coupled receptor target as part of a research and development agreement. Receptos will create high-resolution protein crystal structures of the GPCR target using its GPCR structure technology, and this will help Ono with its structure-based drug design. Receptos will obtain an upfront fee, research funding and milestone payments based on the progress of the partnership. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (12/13) - Numoda Capital Innovations, Intellicell partner in stem cell project
Numoda Capital Innovations, the life sciences investment arm of Numoda, will invest an undisclosed figure in Intellicell BioSciences as part of a collaborative deal centered on Intellicell's cost-efficient methods of harvesting adipose stem cells. Intellicell uses a process called ultrasonic cavitation that considerably lowers research costs compared to existing processes in the market, including obtaining stem cells from bone marrow and through enzymatic separation. The deal also gives Intellicell the right to use Numoda's clinical trial research technology for use in research data collection and management. Pharmaceutical Business Review Online (12/14), MedCityNews.com (12/13) - AVI BioPharma refocuses on DMD, Ebola, Marburg
AVI BioPharma CEO Chris Garabedian said the company is reprioritizing to focus on developing a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as on biodefense programs for the Ebola and Marburg viruses after it did not secure a contract for an RNA-based flu treatment. Xconomy/Seattle (12/12)  | The Changing Role of Chemistry in Drug Discovery
This Thomson Reuters report delivers an in-depth review of the changing role of Chemistry and of Chemists in today's drug discovery research programs. With input from many key pharmaceutical industry players, supported with data from Thomson Reuters IntegritySM, it examines how life in drug discovery has changed and how it will continue to adapt in the future. Access the report here! |
 | Drug Development Basic Training | | | | - Automated manufacturing of dendritic-cell immunotherapy
Tamara T. Monesmith, director of manufacturing and process development at Argos Therapeutics, describes in a detailed BioPharm International article a prototype system for the automated manufacture of autologous dendritic-cell immunotherapy. The key to autologous DC processing from monocytes is managing loss and optimizing recovery at each step to ensure an efficient process; Argos Therapeutics has developed a robust method for generating its autologous DC therapy from leukapheresis for clinical trials in renal-cell carcinoma and HIV indications. Given the estimated number of batches per year required, processing methods to meet the demands of commercial manufacturing for autologous cellular therapies were investigated. The prototypes discussed demonstrate that an automated approach alongside disposable components is a feasible platform for DC manufacture. Read the full article. |  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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| Food & Agriculture | | | | - Cargill: Biotech seed distribution should wait on approvals
Cargill does not support the commercialization of biotech seeds in the U.S. prior to their approval in major foreign grain markets, the firm's vice president of food safety said. The issue can't be decided by grain handlers alone and should be discussed with biotech companies and trade associations, he said. Reuters (12/13) | Industrial & Environmental | | | | - IEA predicts slower growth for global biofuel production
The International Energy Agency's latest monthly Oil Market Report estimates that global biofuels output will increase by 400,000 barrels a day from 2010 to 2016, lower than its earlier forecast of 500,000 barrels a day. The sluggish growth projection was attributed to Brazil's expected lower ethanol production and U.S. market saturation. Bloomberg (12/13) | 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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