 | Getting Ready for the Physician Payment 'Sunshine' Rule
Get expert analysis and practical guidance to comply with the Physician Payment 'Sunshine' Rule, which mandates that certain manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) report payments made to physicians, hospitals and other health-care providers.
Determine immediate action items for compliance with the rule—11 key suggested steps are outlined. Download Now. |
 | Stem cell-derived astrocytes may protect brain from stroke damage Astrocytes, which are known as "housekeeping" cells because of the support they provide for neurons, could be useful in the treatment of strokes, according to a study in the journal Nature Communications. Researchers used Olig2, a transcription factor protein, to turn stem cells into astrocytes. "This exciting research uncovers the brain-protective powers of stem cell-derived astrocytes. Astrocytes may help to limit the spread of damage after an ischemic brain stroke in patients, and may also help to regenerate and repair damaged brain cells," study author Wenbin Deng said. Medical News Today (7/29) | Perrigo acquires Irish biotech firm for $8.6B Perrigo struck a deal to purchase Irish biotech firm Elan for $8.6 billion in a cash-and-stock acquisition expected to be finalized this year. The combined entity will be called "Perrigo Company plc or a variant thereof" and will be incorporated in Ireland. "This transaction underscores the tremendous value of Elan's platform. The new combined company should deliver value, growth, and diversification to shareholders for many years to come," said Elan CEO G. Kelly Martin. Reuters (7/29), Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (7/29) | BIO calls for reducing obstacles to biotech imports in Europe BIO urged U.S. trade negotiators to underline the need for a more flexible import process for biotech products when trade talks with the European Union starts this summer. "We need a trade agreement that is flexible and can accommodate technology," said Matt O'Mara, BIO's director of foreign affairs. "To be clear, we are not seeking to change any of the EU's approach to cultivation or labeling. A great deal of the delays that we see in the approval process come after the European Food Safety Authority has issued a positive opinion," O'Mara said. MarketWatch/The Wall Street Journal/Medill News Service (7/29) | | Industrial & Environmental | Researchers study biofuel potential of freshwater algae A team of researchers in Japan is looking into the genetic makeup of a freshwater algae called Botryococcus braunii with the hopes of using its abilities to produce biofuels. The latest findings suggest that the algae's high degree of DNA compatibility with other organisms makes it a good candidate for genetic engineering processes meant to accelerate biofuel development. DomesticFuel.com (7/26) | July 2013 BIO Therapeutic Newsletters The BIO Emerging Companies Section Policy Team has compiled the latest news to keep you informed on the action in Washington with respect to the disease category on which your company is focused. Topics covered comprise: Allergy/Infectious Disease/Antiviral; Cardiology/Pulmonology/Blood; Nephrology/Endocrinology/Metabolism/Gastroenterology; Neurology/CNS; Oncology; and Rheumatology/Anesthesia/Inflammation/Pain. BIO has attempted to include updates from biotech stakeholders around Washington, including Congress, FDA, NIH and patient organizations. Access to our July 2013 Therapeutic Newsletters can be found here. Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Charles Crain. | Correction An item in Monday's BIO SmartBrief gave an incorrect ceiling for the possible future sales price related to an option by Celgene to buy Acetylon Pharmaceuticals. The deal could exceed $1.6 billion, contingent on certain milestones. SmartBrief regrets the error. |  | Discontent is the first necessity of progress." -- Thomas Edison, American inventor | | | The news summaries appearing in BIO SmartBrief are based on original information from news organizations and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The information is not compiled or summarized by BIO. Questions and comments should be directed to SmartBrief at bio@smartbrief.com. | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.
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