- Massachusetts construction bringing more space for biotech labs
The real estate firm Richards Barry Joyce & Partners found that more than 2 million square feet of biotech labs and offices are under construction in and around Boston. The facilities are part of eight major construction projects. Many pharmaceutical companies have refocused on research and development after restructuring from 2008 through 2010, said Massachusetts Biotechnology Council official Peter Abair. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (12/5)       - Woburn, Mass., receives "BioReady community" recognition: The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council has designated the city of Woburn as a platinum-level "BioReady community." The designation, given to communities that have eased the process of establishment and approval for biotech research and production facilities, underscores "Woburn's ongoing efforts to attract and retain innovative, quality biotechnology companies," Mayor Scott Galvin said. American City Business Journals/Boston/BBJ Real Estate Round Up blog (12/5)
 | Only in North Carolina can you find so many unique innovations to help heal, fuel AND feed the world. Discover NC’s complete package and why 538 companies call NC home. | | Health Care & Policy |  |  | | - KRAS gene test may help detect chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer
U.S. scientists have discovered that screening for the KRAS gene mutation can help identify women with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. Researchers reported in Oncogene that women with mutated KRAS genes were three times more resistant than counterparts without the mutation to standard chemotherapy using platinum-based drugs. Testing for the KRAS gene mutation can help patients and doctors decide on which treatment to pursue, said study leader Joanne Weidhaas of Yale University School of Medicine. Time.com/Healthland blog (12/5) - Comparative study for AMD drugs impacts company shares
Patients given 4.2 injections of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' Eylea, a newly approved drug for age-related macular degeneration, in a study gained about 7.6 letters on an eye chart during the second year of therapy, compared with 7.9 letters for those who received 4.7 injections of Roche Holding's Lucentis. Reuters (12/5) - Artificial chromosomes are possible route for gene therapy
The use of artificial chromosome techniques, designed to add corrective gene-carrying chromosomes to patients' cells, may help reduce the risk of disruption between genes and control the number of copies of genes inserted into cells, experts reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Artificial chromosomes also could be easily deactivated, researchers added. DigitalJournal.com (12/2) - Researchers explore stem cell byproducts as treatment for asthma
The byproducts or "juices" of mesenchymal stem cells were able to widen airways, restore breathing and reduce lung inflammation in mice engineered to have asthma, according to a Canadian study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. The researchers hope the finding will eventually lead to the development of a "super-inhaler" that would be beneficial to people with chronic and acute asthma. The Edmonton Journal (Alberta) (12/2)  | The Plum Card®
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   - U.K. PM announces changes in the life science industry
The British government is planning reforms intended to spur growth in the life sciences, and one of the goals is to put the National Health Service at the core of the drug development process by making NHS data available for research, Prime Minister David Cameron said during a pharmaceuticals conference. The initiative includes providing universities and small and medium-sized enterprises with about $281 million in research funding, and creating an "early access scheme" that will give extremely sick patients new drugs prior to complete licensing. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (12/5) - Canadian CEO's product-advancement strategy: Think small
 Canadian firm Spectral Diagnostics was able to advance its sepsis theranostic product "by thinking smaller and smarter," writes Dr. Paul Walker, the company's CEO. While other companies enroll thousands in their Phase III trials, Spectral Diagnostics expects to complete its late-stage trials with a very targeted patient population of 360, and while other firms spend about $1 billion to develop products, Spectral spent just $15 million in 10 years and expects to spend $20 million more to wrap up the trials, Walker writes. Canadian biotech companies need to learn how to work within limited budgets to be able to translate drugs into marketable treatments, Walker adds. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/5)  | LET’S GO DESIGN: Episode #6
This time, we go inside the tracks and review the shocks and suspension system. Also, Jeremy hears the expert opinion of a mom on the baby buggy and unveils the chosen cockpit design. Watch the new episode now at LetsGoDesign.tv |
| Food & Agriculture | | | | - Monsanto should improve bug monitoring program, says EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a memo asking Monsanto to expand its bug monitoring program after reports that rootworms in some parts of four Midwest states may have grown immune to the company's pest-resistant biotech corn plants. Monsanto said that the issue affected only a small number of fields and that it takes the agency's recommendation seriously but has thorough monitoring procedures in place. The Wall Street Journal (12/2) | Industrial & Environmental | | | | | 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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