- Alnylam licenses amyloidosis drug to Genzyme
Genzyme secured exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' experimental drug ALN-TTR02 for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in Japan and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Alnylam keeps the rights to the drug in other parts of the world. The deal entitles Alnylam to $22.5 million upfront plus milestone fees and sales royalties. Xconomy/Boston (10/22), Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (10/22)       | Yes and No: FDA Panel Votes Shyly in Favor of Mipomersen | | Kynamro (mipomersen) for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) overcame testimony about liver problems, cancer in mice, possible cardiac risk, troubling immune responses and significant trial dropout rates to win a vote recommending approval from an FDA advisory panel.. Find out the details. |  |
| Health Care & Policy |  |  | | - Ipsen plans to test tasquinimod in other tumor types
Ipsen plans to initiate a midstage trial to evaluate tasquinimod in patients with metastatic hepatocellular, ovarian, renal cell and gastric cancers who have received standard treatments. "We hope that this innovative, proof-of-concept study in oncology will generate data on tasquinimod's biological and clinical activity and safety profile supporting further clinical development in high unmet medical need diseases," Ipsen Chief Scientific Officer Claude Bertrand said. Pharmaceutical Business Review Online (10/22) - LabCorp will develop TB assay using Sequella's technology
Sequella granted Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings rights to use its B-Smart nucleic acid-based technology to develop a laboratory-based antibiotic susceptibility diagnostic test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The assays, which will combine nucleic acid testing and phage-based technology, will be able "to accurately and quickly identify any resistance of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates to antitubercular antibiotics, regardless of whether the resistance genotype is known," Sequella said. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (10/22) - Heart drug tests could use iPS cells
Induced pluripotent stem cells can be used to test compounds for cardiovascular safety early in the drug-development process, according to GlaxoSmithKline. "I call this a low-risk, must-do approach to stem cells," said Jason Gardner, head of Glaxo's early-stage regenerative medicine research. "It's on the verge of being used now for decision-making." A Nobel Prize was awarded this month to the developer of iPS cells. Bloomberg Businessweek (10/21) | | Company & Financial News | | | | | Global Developments | | | | - WuXi launches new biologic drugs plant in China
WuXi AppTec inaugurated a biologics manufacturing plant in China. The company says the plant is the first in the country to comply with good manufacturing practice standards from U.S., Europe and China, and the first in the world to utilize all-disposable equipment for biologics production. "The establishment of this cGMP biologics facility has greatly improved WuXi's services in biologics manufacturing and further showcases our commitment to global clients," Chairman and CEO Ge Li said. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (10/19)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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| Food & Agriculture | | | | - Researchers develop milk that protects against HIV
Scientists with the biotech firm Immuron and Melbourne University in Australia developed cows whose colostrum, or first milk, contains HIV-disabling antibodies. Laboratory tests found that antibodies obtained from the milk binded with HIV, preventing it from entering human cells. Researchers plan to use the milk to develop a cream that women could apply before or after sex to prevent being infected with HIV. Gizmag (10/22) | Industrial & Environmental | | | | - Pentagon to award initial grants under advanced-biofuel project
The Department of Defense is expected to unveil a list of about five companies that could be issued long-term contracts to supply advanced biofuels to U.S. fighter jets, warships and other military vehicles, said Laura Ortiz, agreements negotiator for the agency's Advanced Drop-In Biofuel Production Project. The companies in the short list will receive about $6 million in initial grants in March, while as many as three firms are expected to share as much as $180 million in grants in the project's second phase. Among the companies in the running to secure the contracts are Gevo, Syntroleum and Solazyme. Bloomberg Businessweek (10/19) | News from BIO | | | | - Are you taking full advantage of your membership?
BIO's cost-savings program, BIO Business Solutions, is helping 2,700 companies nationwide save on the cost of essential products and services. Members of BIO and 43 state and regional biotech associations are eligible to receive preferential pricing and other benefits at no additional cost beyond their membership dues. VWR International, FedEx, Office Depot and Business Wire are just a few of the industry leading providers that offer special pricing through this members-only program. Learn more or enroll here.
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