  - Boston takes top spot in ranking of life sciences clusters
A Jones Lang LaSalle report has identified the Boston area as the top biotech hub in the U.S., with New York/New Jersey coming in second and the San Francisco Bay area ranking third. Boston ranked first in five out of six categories, including advanced research and health care employment, funding from the NIH, and research and development investment. Mass High Tech (Boston) (11/29)        | 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 |
 - Search for AIDS cure is making a comeback
The experience of two patients has renewed hope that a cure for AIDS can be found, even if it remains many years distant, researchers say. The two main avenues being studied are elimination of HIV from the body, possibly through modification of immune cells to make them resistant to the infection, and a functional cure that would allow patients to live with the virus but without antiviral drugs. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/28) - Genetic testing enhances retinoblastoma risk prediction
Genetic testing of children with retinoblastoma reduced the number of disease risk screenings required for their relatives, according to a study involving patients at Texas Children's Cancer Center in Houston. "[B]y systematically including genetic testing in the care of retinoblastoma patients, we could eliminate the need for such screening in the majority of relatives and save both health care costs and potential risks of the anesthesia," said senior study author Dr. Sharon E. Plon. Oncology Nurse Advisor online (11/29) - Study on Timothy syndrome could hold clues to autism
Analysis of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from Timothy syndrome patients could give some insights into the brain activity of people with autism, according to a study backed by the NIH. Researchers discovered some mechanisms that may be used to develop new ways of treating Timothy syndrome, and these mechanisms could also explain the neural basis of deficits in other autism types, said lead researcher Ricardo Dolmetsch of Stanford University. MedicalDaily.com (11/28) - Study finds genetic variations associated with multiple myeloma
British and German researchers have discovered that people with genetic variations in the 3p22.1 or 7p15.3 regions have a 30% to 40% higher risk of developing multiple myeloma than people without the mutations. There also are indications that a third region called 2p23.3 plays a role in the development of the disease, the researchers said. MyelomaBeacon.com (11/28)  - PTC and Roche sign $490M deal for muscular atrophy drugs
Roche Holding will pay $30 million upfront for an exclusive global license to PTC Therapeutics' preclinical and backup compounds for spinal muscular atrophy. PTC might also get as much as $460 million for development and commercialization milestones. The SMA Foundation is part of the collaboration. MedCityNews.com (11/29) - Drugmaker commits $100M to venture capital fund
AstraZeneca has committed an additional $100 million to its MedImmune venture capital unit to invest in other companies in biopharmaceuticals and medical technology. "We believe that in the current financial environment, there is a growing role for corporate VC funds," said Ron Laufer, MedImmune senior managing director. PharmaTimes (U.K.) (11/29) - Infinity receives $50 million from R&D partner Mundipharma
Mundipharma International provided $50 million toward development of Infinity Pharmaceuticals' drug candidates, including IPI-145 for hematologic malignancy and inflammatory diseases, through 2013. The companies formed their partnership in 2008, and Mundipharma initially invested $75 million in equity funding into Infinity. Mass High Tech (Boston) (11/29)  | Download the latest Spotlight On… Melanoma report
This quarter’s Spotlight On… report focuses on Melanoma, which is currently experiencing an innovation breakthrough. The Spotlight On... report draws on the expert insight and strategic data from Thomson Reuters Pharma – the world's leading competitive intelligence solution. Download today. |
 | Drug Development Basic Training |  |  | | - Trevor Hallam on Sutro Biopharma's future GMP facility
In this second of three podcast interviews, Dr. Trevor Hallam, chief scientific officer at Sutro Biopharma, goes into more detail about the protein expression system and describes a future GMP facility for the production of therapeutic proteins and peptides. Batch sizes and yields are discussed, which for a cell-free system take on slightly different meaning; the cell extract used to produce the protein can be freeze-thawed and stockpiled. Once a sequence is known, the extract can produce protein product 10 hours later -- hence the system's potential robustness in a pandemic scenario. The new GMP facility, scheduled to open in 2012, will feature 200-liter fermenters for extract and protein production at a scale that will take Sutro into Phase I and early Phase II studies. |  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
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| Food & Agriculture | | | | - Agriculture industry needs harmony, says Monsanto EVP
The global agricultural industry must integrate technological advancements in plant breeding, biotechnology and agronomic practices in order to meet rapidly increasing consumer demand, said Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Monsanto, during the annual meeting of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Fraley expects to "see more changes in farming in the next 20 years than we have probably seen in the last 50 years." Western Farm Press (11/29) | Industrial & Environmental | | | | - Okla. lawmakers seek to ban castor bean production
Oklahoma state Sen. Mike Schulz and Rep. Dale DeWitt have introduced legislation that would prohibit commercial production and distribution of castor beans, which are considered a potential biofuel source because of their high oil content. The lawmakers want to ban castor beans out of concern over its natural ricin content. "Prohibiting castor beans may not be something we want for the long range. But until we have more research into ways of lowering the ricin levels, we have to be very careful with it," DeWitt said. Tulsa World (Okla.) (11/26) | News from BIO | | | | - Are you taking full advantage of your membership?
BIO's cost-savings program, BIO Business Solutions, is saving 2,700 companies nationwide 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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