Monday, November 22, 2010

A Fix for Life Sciences Development in Florida and the US


Under the leadership of former governor Jeb Bush, the state of Florida rightly recognized the future growth opportunities for the life sciences industry. After all, health care is now 20% of US GDP spending, and the US and the rest of the world has a large and aging population. However, simply giving away a billion dollars and tax incentives to move jobs from research institutes to Florida does not create a wealth of new businesses with a high multiplier effect. It’s possible for this to happen, but much more needs to be put in place. The same is true for the rest of the US.

The plan which was launched in Florida has provided over $1B and other incentives to expand in Florida the research facilities of a number of the world’s leading research organizations, including Scripps Research Institute, Torrey Pines, The Burnham Institute, and The Max Planck Institute, among others.

In the state of Florida, only a handful of new businesses have been created from the research coming out of these institutes, and most of these are starving for cash, or have been looking to move to other states where funding is more readily available, hardly what Jeb Bush had envisioned.

So, what can be done to remedy the situation so that more products are brought to the market more efficiently, while creating new jobs? The US leads the world in the innovation of life sciences on most fronts by a large margin, and we have a plethora of developments spinning out of NIH grants. But, how do we close the funding gap between well-meaning initiatives like those in the state of Florida and the NIH and bringing a product to the market?

The benefit of these organizations attracted to Florida is they do fundamental research and development on leading edge life sciences. The disadvantage from an economic development standpoint is that most of this research and development is 10-20 years from being ready for the market, and hence, the huge funding gap. The same is true of the $30B spent annually by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the form of over 40,000 grants, essentially free venture capital for promising next generation life science developments.

There are two solutions. One, provide an additional level of funding for the most promising developments that come out of individual state initiatives, such as Florida, and the NIH grants and research institutes, thereby reducing the time and cost to market. The second solution is to streamline the approval process for these products.

Both in Florida and nationally, these investments do not have a form of bridge financing to bring them to the market. There is nothing to fill the 10-20 year void. Many of the most promising development muddle along on skimpy grants for many years, until finally a fortunate few are close enough to market for a venture fund to develop.

Part of the problem is systemic and part is economic.

Systemically, it cost more and it takes more time to gain approval from the US FDA than its counterparts in every other major country in the world. Hence, it’s cheaper to gain approval and begin developing revenues outside the US than in the US. Effectively, this means many of the best developments that result from the $30B of NIH grants end up being exported abroad before they come to market in the US. In turn, this creates an industry of medical tourism, where Americans are forced to go abroad for the most advanced therapies. Since investors do not want to wait 10-20 years for their returns, one fix is to streamline the approval process at the FDA on all fronts. There is no good reason for much of the time it takes to gain FDA approval of medical advancements. This would cut several years off the time to market.

To cut several more years off the time to market, another approach is to create an NIH superfund. Such a fund would provide larger investment amounts, some of which could be in the form of matching funding for the most promising ideas that come out of the tens of thousands of NIH grants. In Singapore, the Economic Development Board (EDB) provides 25% non-dilutive funding to the most promising projects. The rest of the money needs to come from other sources. One vertical market government venture fund in Singapore specializes in advancing medical devices, while another favors therapeutics. In addition, there is a private venture capital industry to fill in the remainder. This deleverages the risk for investors, while speeding along developments to market, thereby creating more jobs more quickly and making Singapore a vibrant, attractive center for life science development.

Furthermore, Singapore has established its own non-profit contract research organization (CRO), the SCRI, whereby 50% of the CRO cost for a clinical trial is paid for by the government. This is forward thinking, and it has attracted many of the world’s largest medtech companies that need to deliver real products to the market in the next few years, not a decade or two away.

Essentially, what Florida and the rest of the US needs to do to better to leverage its billions of dollars of investment in life science R&D is build upon the Singapore model. This will serve to shrink the gap to market, since developers will not have to muddle along, sometimes for decades, dependent on small grants from the NIH or whatever particular state in which they happen to reside.

However, this is just a part of the solution. Another important component to bridge the gap to market is to lower taxes on early to mid-stage venture capital gains. After all, the money is taking a higher risk for a longer period of time. The highest multiplier jobs are not in hamburger stands, but rather in manufacturing and housing. Investing wisely in innovation drives both of these important parts of our economy.

Building more public sources of funding for the most promising of ideas, streamlining the FDA and lowering the capital gains tax on early to mid-stage venture capital will serve to attract many tens of billions to life science venture capital and create millions of the right kind of jobs for the US. Otherwise, our present system is highly wasteful and only serves to export innovation to countries better positioned to build upon our discoveries.

Proof that this system works lies in the fact that despite having no natural resources, Singapore has turned a profit in nine of the last ten years, while lowering corporate income tax from 27% to 17%. They do it by smartly guiding their economy with government support strategically placed in the right ways. The US can do this, too.

By the way, while the US spends 20% of its GDP on healthcare, Singapore spends just 4.5%. Before you think that perhaps the quality of health in Singapore may be less, according to the World Health Organization, Singapore ranks 6th in overall health in the world, while the US ranks 30th – a definite sign the US can do much better on the healthcare front.

Perhaps we should take a few notes from Singapore.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

For GBP Capital's Health and Biotech News Digest

Due to restrictions and/or bugs in this blog site, for those of you following the news digest portion of this blog, you will know that I discontinued posting GBP Capital's latest Health and Biotech news digest. For the latest digest, you can see it at:

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Best,
Dave

Sunday, October 3, 2010

What the US can learn from Singapore

The Us can learn a great deal from Singapore, as it provides a far superior model for building a successful economy. Consider these facts:

Singapore's Personal income tax rates

Individuals resident in Singapore are taxed on a progressive tax rate as listed below. Filing of personal tax return is mandatory if your annual income is S$22,000 or more. You do not need to pay tax if your annual income is less than S$22,000. However, you may still need to file a tax return if you have been informed by Singapore tax department to submit your tax return.

All resident individual tax payers will be given a one-off income tax rebate of 20%, upto a cap of S$2,000, for the tax payable for YA 2009.

Singapore's Single-tier income tax system

Since January 1, 2003, Singapore has adopted a single-tier corporate income tax system, which means there is no double-taxation for stakeholders. Tax paid by a company on its chargeable income is the final tax and all dividends paid by a company to its shareholders are exempt from further taxation.

There is no tax on capital gains in Singapore. Examples of capitals gains include gains on sale of fixed assets, gains on foreign exchange on capital transactions, etc.

Income tax rates and general tax exemptions

Highest Tax Rate

Singapore's headline corporate tax rate is a flat 18% at present, and it has declined steadily over the last decade from 27%. Effective 2010, the corporate income tax rate will be further reduced to 17%.

Headline income tax rate in Singapore as in many other jurisdictions does not necessarily provide an accurate indication of effective corporate tax rate. The effective rate is normally lower than the headline tax rate due to applicable tax exemptions and tax incentives, depreciation rules, etc.

Source: SIAC

If and when the US gets a proper leadership system, Thomas Friedman should be a special advisor.

See: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/opinion/03friedman.html?_r=1&hp

As Friedman points out, America is badly broken, and it’s because of the ossification, as he puts it, of both political parties. We need a new constitutional convention. Our constitution is obsolete in our present day and age, as it was written for a world that no longer exists. Our butts are getting kicked by Asian economies that are far more nimble and run much more like businesses than governments. It is not just their labor cost advantage. The people in Singapore and Hong Kong make as much or more than Americans. I have seen Singapore, Hong Kong and China up close, and much of it is refreshing, vibrant, and they are highly profitable. Singapore and Hong Kong have the clear advantage over China of much cleaner air, but China will clean up their air with time. Much of the rest of the industrialized world went through times of severe air pollution, acid rain, undrinkable water, rivers that have caught on fire, etc.

Singapore is an intelligently directed economy, where politicians are paid high salaries to lead the country in the proper business direction. They have a clear vision of which opportunities to pursue to optimize growth. As evidence, their stock market was up 18% in Q2, while they have consistently reduced corporate income taxes over the last decade. Coincidence? They have constructed their economy to drive it uncompromisingly in the direction of profitable growth. It is far more nimble than any country I have seen, but certainly it’s smaller size makes that easier. However, I refuse to believe that Singapore's system cannot be scaled.

Singapore's average population is much better educated than the US and over 80% are bilingual. It is a country with almost zero natural resources, yet it is extremely profitable, primarily because it is run like a real business. One key is that Singapore heavily leverages government owned venture funds, two of which are over $100B in size. This is impressive for a country with a population of just 5.5M. The US needs to do the same thing, except Washington cannot get out of its own way. We do not elect politicians who know how to run a business. Instead, over 70% of our politicians are lawyers, who have never run a profitable business.

One could argue that the US NIH’s $30B per year of grants is a form of government directed venture capital, and it is, but it is a partial solution. By contrast, Singapore has a large biotech park, larger than any such biotech park in the US, called Biopolis, with a government sponsored CRO (Contract Research Organizations for running clinical trials). This CRO is not-for-profit and its costs are 50% paid for by the government. This makes Singapore far more attractive for running clinical trials than any country on earth. Biopolis has been so successful in attracting leading biotech companies from around the world that Biopolis II is in the planning stages. Quality housing, restaurants, shopping, etc for biotech workers are part and parcel of the Biopolis complex.

To complicate matters worse, the US is hamstrung by an FDA that creates unnecessarily high hurdles for companies to overcome. It is far more expensive to bring a medical product to market in the US than any other country in the world. This is one of the big reasons the US spends 1.5 times more per capita than any other nation on healthcare.


Much of the $30B a year of NIH grants is wasted as a source for US product development and innovation, since scientists cannot afford to bring their innovations to market. There is a huge funding void in the US to bring these innovations from the laboratory to the market. As a result, it’s far more affordable for US-based VC’s to find attractive biotech developments that have been funded by US NIH grants and bring them to market abroad. This means US taxpayers are effectively funding the exportation of our innovation. Put another way, the US system has created a market inefficiency that results in exporting innovation at a time when we desperately need to create jobs in the US.


Further fueling these flames is that capital gains taxes have been as high for US VC-backed firms as for established companies. Obama’s recent proposed tax break for capital investments in small companies is a step in the right direction, but it is too little too late, and the GOP have been an inexplicable impediment to this legislation – more to Friedman’s point of political ossification.


The US deserves a lot better, and Singapore can provide some guidance as to how to best get there.


Saturday, August 28, 2010

GBP Health / Biotech News Digest 08-26-2010

EurekAlert - Biology:

Public Release: 25-Aug-2010
Neuron
Scripps Research scientists uncover new mechanism of memory formation
Scientists from the Florida campus of the Scripps Research Institute have discovered a mechanism that plays a critical role in the formation of long-term memory. The findings shed substantial new light on aspects of how memory is formed, and could lead to novel treatments for memory disorders.

Contact: Mika Ono
mikaono@scripps.edu
858-784-2052
Scripps Research Institute

Public Release: 25-Aug-2010
Journal of Comparative Neurology
Research heralds potential for early diagnosis of degenerative brain disorders
A team of American scientists claim that a new method of testing for neurological diseases could provide doctors with a rapid and noninvasive method of diagnosing degenerative disorders. The research, published in The journal of Comparative Neurology, reveals that magnetic resonance spectroscopy can distinguish between different disorders in patients, allowing earlier diagnosis.

Contact: Ben Norman
Lifesciencenews@wiley.com
44-124-377-0375
Wiley-Blackwell

Public Release: 25-Aug-2010
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Liver cells created from patients' skin cells
By creating diseased liver cells from a small sample of human skin, scientists have for the first time shown that stem cells can be used to model a diverse range of inherited disorders. The University of Cambridge researchers' findings, which will hopefully lead to new treatments for those suffering from liver diseases, were published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council

Contact: Genevieve Maul
Genevieve.maul@admin.cam.ac.uk
44-122-376-5542
University of Cambridge

Public Release: 25-Aug-2010
Nature
Use the common cold virus to target and disrupt cancer cells?
A novel mechanism used by adenovirus to sidestep the cell's suicide program, could go a long way to explain how tumor suppressor genes are silenced in tumor cells and pave the way for a new type of targeted cancer therapy, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the Aug. 26, 2010, issue of Nature.

Contact: Gina Kirchweger
kirchweger@salk.edu
858-453-410-01340
Salk Institute

Public Release: 25-Aug-2010
Faraday Discussions
Microneedle, quantum dot study opens door to new clinical cancer tools
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed extremely small microneedles that can be used to deliver medically-relevant nanoscale dyes called quantum dots into skin -- an advance that opens the door to new techniques for diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions, including skin cancer.
National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health

Contact: Matt Shipman
matt_shipman@ncsu.edu
919-515-6386
North Carolina State University

Public Release: 23-Aug-2010
Nature Precedings
Health diagnosis made simpler
ASU researchers have developed and tested instrumentation they say will make disease diagnosis technically simpler, quicker and less costly. Using the shape of a drop biological fluid to focus a beam from a light-emitting diode, the device enables diagnosis of infectious diseases and unhealthy levels of protein.

Contact: Joe Kullman
joe.kullman@asu.edu
480-965-8122

Public Release: 23-Aug-2010
Biomaterials
A cluster bomb for cancer care
Dr. Dan Peer and Professor Ramona Margolit of Tel Aviv University have developed a nano-sized vehicle that can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into cancer cells while avoiding interaction with healthy cells. "The vehicle is very similar to a cluster bomb," Dr. Peer says, and can be used to treat many different types of tumors, including lung, blood, colon and brain cancers.

Contact: George Hunka
ghunka@aftau.org
212-742-9070
American Friends of Tel Aviv University

Source - Science Daily:

Please note : Due to the format restrictions of Science Daily articles, you must click on the URL (web address) below the article summary , rather than the article title.

Antiviral Gene Helps Suppress Jumping of AIDS Viruses Between Host Species

August 25, 2010 — The human AIDS viruses originated as viruses of apes and monkeys, respectively, yet little is known about whether or how these invaders adapted to the new genetic "environment" encountered in humans. ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100824171616.htm

Microneedle, Quantum Dot Study Opens Door to New Clinical Cancer Tools

August 25, 2010 — Researchers have developed extremely small microneedles that can be used to deliver medically-relevant nanoscale dyes called quantum dots into skin -- an advance that opens the door to new techniques ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100825093301.htm

Putting the Squeeze on Alzheimer's

August 25, 2010 — Brain cells exposed to a form of the amyloid beta protein, the molecule linked to Alzheimer's disease, become stiffer and bend less under pressure, researchers have ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100820101408.htm

Researchers Zero in on Protein That Destroys HIV

August 25, 2010 — Using a $225,000 microscope and the wisdom of Yogi Berra, researchers have identified the key components of a protein called TRIM5a that destroys HIV in rhesus monkeys. The finding could lead to ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100824121022.htm

Applying Stem Cell Technology to Liver Diseases

August 25, 2010 — Great excitement greeted the discovery a few years ago that certain cells from mice and humans could be reprogrammed to become inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) as they hold promise for ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100825131542.htm

Gene Therapy to Treat Epilepsy a Step Closer

August 25, 2010 — Current antiepileptic drugs have many side-effects, among others slowing down brain activity, which in turn reduces patients’ ability to react. These side-effects could be eliminated if genes ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100825093541.htm

New Cardiac Imaging Device Pioneered

August 24, 2010 — Researchers have for the first time developed a way to visualize coronary artery plaques vulnerable to rupture using multicolor computed tomography, an innovation that will lead to better and earlier ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816110459.htm

Health Diagnosis Made Simpler: Bioengineers Design Device to Help Detect Diseases Quickly

August 24, 2010 — Researchers have developed and tested instrumentation they say will make disease diagnosis technically simpler, quicker and less costly. Using the shape of a drop biological fluid to focus a beam ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100823172333.htm

Math from the Heart: Simulating Stent Design and Coating

August 24, 2010 — Using computer models to study the strengths and weaknesses of different stent structures could help manufacturers optimize stent design and help doctors choose the right stents for their ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100823121937.htm

Double-Therapy Approach Effectively Inhibited Brain Cancer Recurrence

August 24, 2010 — Researchers have identified a novel approach of combining chemotherapy with a targeted therapy to decrease the recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive brain ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100824132347.htm

Source - Health Day:

Health Highlights: Aug. 26, 2010

Seniors Face Large Drug Cost Increases: Report

Epidurals During Labor Protect Muscles: Study

FDA Warns About TimeOut Capsules

Traffic Crashes Cost $99 Billion Annually: Report

Millions Of Seniors May Have To Change Medicare Drug Plans: Analysis

Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 26, 2010

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Schizophrenia

Depression

Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 25, 2010

Tinnitus

Hot Flashes (Postmenopausal Women)

Daily Aspirin Use

Source - Google Health News:

In Early Trial, Targeted Therapy Fights Advanced Melanoma
Experimental drug could help patients whose tumors carry particular gene mutation

Gene therapy firm seeks partners
Witney Gazette
By Maggie Hartford � GENE THERAPY company Oxford BioMedica is seeking partners to develop two of its potential treatments after half-year losses rose to ...

Scientists Look to Gene Therapy as Way to Boost Immune System Response to HIV
TheBody.com
The Los Angeles Times reports on the recent efforts of scientists to use gene therapy to strengthen the ability of patients living with HIV to fight off the ...

Non-Viral Gene Therapy Retards Retinal Degeneration
Medgadget.com
Bringing forth a more potent and enduring result will move us closer to clinical application of non-viral gene therapy,” said Kumar-Singh. ...

Source - Yahoo Biotech News:

Investors Eye Stem Cell Shares Amid Court Dispute - Indie Research - Thu 9:14 am ET
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth hit the brakes an executive order aimed to remove "barriers to responsible research involving human stem cells," by ruling that millions in government grants can't be made.

Summary Box: J&J recalls 2 hip replacement systems - AP - 20 minutes ago
PERPETUAL PROBLEM: Johnson & Johnson announces its 11th recall of products since last September -- the second disclosed this week

Source - Medical News Today :

Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes Linked To Plaques Associated With Alzheimer's Disease

People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing plaques in the brain that are associated withAlzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the August 25, 2010, issue of Neurology�, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Insulin resistance, or the stage before diabetes, happens when insulin, a hormone in the body, becomes less effective in lowering blood sugar.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198973.php

Novel Stem Cell Therapy From Cellonis Biotechnologies Can Help Children With Diabetes Get Back Their Normal Lives

Cellonis Biotechnologies, a Beijing and HK-based medical research and application company, has recorded some remarkable results in the treatment of a twelve-year-old boy with diabetes using their stem cell therapy in aBeijing partner hospital. He has completely regained his normal life, enjoying sports and school activities just like every other person his age, and has been free from injections and drugs for more than half a year. "Our whole family is delighted with this outcome," his mother commented in a Cellonis interview. "He is now no different from any other child at his school. There is no sign of diabetes anymore. He previously coughed a lot in spring and winter, but after the therapy we haven't seen him coughing at all. We are very pleased."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198840.php

Nano-Vehicle To Deliver Chemotherapy Treatments On Target

Chemotherapy, while an effective cancer treatment, also brings debilitating side effects such as nausea, liver toxicity and a battered immune system. Now, a new way to deliver this life-saving therapy to cancer patients - getting straight to the source of the disease - has been invented by Dr. Dan Peer ofTel Aviv University's Department of Cell Research and Immunology and the Center for Nano Science and Nano Technology together with Prof. Rimona Margalit of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198736.php

Source - MIT's Technology Review :

Artificial Cornea Offers Long-Term Vision

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/26115/

Thursday, August 5, 2010

GBP Health / Biotech News Digest 08-04-2010


Since August, 2005, this news digest has been a complimentary service of GBP Capital, a private equity firm investing in early to mid-stage life science companies. See www.gbpcap.com. The digest is published two to four days a week. If you have colleagues who would be interested in receiving this digest by email, they can be added to the list at: http://www.gbpcap.com/ . Also, the complete history of the entire content of all news articles in our digests since August, 2005 is searchable with Google's enterprise search engine at the same site.


EurekAlert - Biology:
Public Release: 4-Aug-2010
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Caltech biologists discover microRNAs that control function of blood stem cells
One key to fighting diseases such as leukemia and anemia is gaining an understanding of the genes and molecules that control the function of hematopoietic -- or blood -- stem cells, which provide the body with a constant supply of red and white blood cells and platelets. Biologists at Caltech have taken a large step toward that end, with the discovery of a novel group of molecules that are found in high concentrations within hematopoietic stem cells and appear to regulate their production.
Cancer Research Institute, NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Science Foundation, NIH/National Cancer Institute

Contact: Kathy Svitil
ksvitil@caltech.edu
626-395-8022
California Institute of Technology

Public Release: 4-Aug-2010
Nature
NIH genomic mapping study finds largest set of genes related to major risk factor for heart disease
Scanning the genomes of more than 100,000 people from all over the world, scientists report the largest set of genes discovered underlying high cholesterol and high triglycerides -- the major risk factors for coronary heart disease, the nation's number one killer. Taken together, the gene variants explain between a quarter and a third of the inherited portions of cholesterol and triglyceride measured in the blood.
National Institutes of Health

Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
nhlbi_news@nhlbi.nih.gov
301-496-4236
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Public Release: 4-Aug-2010
Nature
Gene for cholesterol and cardiovascular disease identified through genome scan
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the Broad Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., are some of the first to prove that a gene linked to a disease trait by genome-wide association studies can be clinically relevant and an important determinant of disease risk.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Contact: Jessica Mikulski
Jessica.mikulski@uphs.upenn.edu
215-349-8369
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Public Release: 3-Aug-2010
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Fluorescent probe for oral cancer
The probe stimulates molecules in the patient's tissues with a laser. Some of these molecules naturally respond by re-emitting fluorescent light. The device rapidly detects and analyzes this light using a process called "time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy." By using sensitive measurements of the change in fluorescence over time, surgeons can see the tumor margins even as they are cutting the tissue.

Contact: Andy Fell
ahfell@ucdavis.edu
University of California - Davis - Health System

Public Release: 3-Aug-2010
Biomedical Optics
New imaging technique could help physicians ease the aftermath of breast cancer
A new study of breast cancer survivors may help physicians ease a common side effect of cancer treatments. The collaborative research by Eva Sevick, Ph.D., director of the Center for Molecular Imaging at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and Caroline Fife, M.D., director of the Memorial Herman Wound Care Clinic at UTHSC, could bring relief to millions.
Contact: Lyndsay Basista
lbasista@osa.org
202-416-1930

Public Release: 2-Aug-2010
Apoptosis
Scientists discover how neuroglobin protects against Alzheimer's
The researchers developed predictions from computational modeling and validated them with biological experiments. They found that neuroglobin binds to cytochrome c and prevents it from forming an apoptosome. In Alzheimer's disease, a toxic type of protein accumulates in brain neurons and leads to mitochondrial rupture and cell death. The finding suggests that high neuroglobin levels may buffer neurons against the effect of this protein by preventing apoptosomes from forming.

Contact: Holly Ober
hjober@ucdavis.edu
University of California - Davis - Health System

Public Release: 1-Aug-2010
Nature Neuroscience
Epileptic seizures may be linked to an ancient gene family
New research points to a genetic route to understanding and treating epilepsy. The research has identified an ancient gene family that plays a role in regulating the excitability of nerves within the brain.
National Institutes of Health

Contact: Barbara K. Kennedy
science@psu.edu
814-863-4682
Penn State

Source - Science Daily:

Please note : Due to the format restrictions of Science Daily articles, you must click on the URL (web address) below the article summary , rather than the article title.

Gum Inflammation Linked to Alzheimer's Disease

August 4, 2010 — Dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease in healthy individuals as well ...

Revascularization in Elderly Seniors May Help Survival Rates After Heart Attack

August 4, 2010 — Revascularization procedures in very elderly patients after heart attacks may be responsible for improved survival rates after one year, a new study ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100803132732.htm

'Designer Protein' Opens New Door in Cancer Research

August 4, 2010 — A major breakthrough in how to target and destroy the most malignant and aggressive brain cancer cells has been made by researchers. Scientists have identified a way to target and destroy ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100803112813.htm

New Diagnostic Chip Able to Generate Single-Cell Molecular 'Fingerprints' for Brain Tumors

August 4, 2010 — Given the clinical need for improved in vitro molecular diagnostic technologies for brain tumor biopsies, the research team combined the advantages of microfluidics and microscopy-based cell imaging ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100803101926.htm

Fighting Infections With Blood Clots

August 4, 2010 — Clot formation within small blood vessels helps in the fight against pathogenic microbes, researchers in Germany have shown. At the molecular level, clot formation turns out to be intimately ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100803101920.htm

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Becoming Tools for Brain Tumor Imaging and Treatment

August 3, 2010 — Tiny particles of iron oxide could become tools for simultaneous tumor imaging and treatment, because of their magnetic properties and toxic effects against brain cancer cells. In mice, researchers ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802165455.htm

Boosting the Efficacy of Anticancer Vaccines

August 2, 2010 — Researchers have now developed a way to overcome some of the hurdles that limit the efficacy of therapeutic anticancer vaccines and found that their new approach is associated with longer overall ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802125817.htm

Research Defines Timeframes, Factors to Deem Early Stage Lung Cancer Cured

August 2, 2010 — In patients with non-small cell lung cancer, five-year disease-free survival is currently the benchmark of cure. However, there are two issues that remain with the follow-up standards: when can cure ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802131130.htm

Novel Bee Venom Derivative Forms a Nanoparticle 'Smart Bomb' to Target Cancer Cells

August 2, 2010 — The next time you are stung by a bee, here's some consolation: a toxic protein in bee venom, when altered, significantly improves the effectiveness liposome-encapsulated drugs or dyes, such as those ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802101817.htm

Source - Health Day:

Health Highlights: Aug. 4, 2010

  • Loving Siblings Help Shield Against Depression: Study
  • Large Drop In Heart Bypass Surgery Deaths: U.S. Report
  • Iams and Eukanuba Dry Dog Foods Recalled
  • New Rules Would Improve Medical Device Safety: FDA
  • 7 Hours Of Sleep Optimal For Heart Health: Study

Patients With Hepatitis B May Face Greater Risk of Blood Cancer
Study finds twice the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Patient's Pulmonary Valve May Substitute for Donor Aortic Valve
Procedure led to improved survival, quality of life, study found

Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 4, 2010

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (Females Age 40-65)

Depression and Physical Pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea

Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 3, 2010

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Depression

Menstrual Migraine

Source - Yahoo Biotech News:

Dendreon shares rise on Provenge sales - AP - Wed 12:11 pm ET
Shares Dendreon Corp. rose Wednesday after the company reported increased prescriptions for its new prostate cancer drug Provenge.

Amplimmune, GlaxoSmithKline enter development deal - AP - 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
Drug developer Amplimmune Inc. said Wednesday it has entered a development agreement with British drug company GlaxoSmithKline PLC that could be worth more than $500 million if certain milestones are met.

Source - Google Health News:

TroVax trial on prostate cancer patients
Witney Gazette
By Maggie Hartford � GENE THERAPY company Oxford Biomedica has received permission from US regulators to test its treatment on prostate cancer patients. ...

Gene makeovers
Boston Globe
By Karen Weintraub A 17-year-old Cambridge biotechnology firm is betting $35 million in new financing on the success of its budding gene therapyprogram. ...

Ben Bova: Gene therapy will one day cure diseases ... It's the 'law'
Naples Daily News
Gene therapy is another example. Half a century after biologists determined the structure of DNA and the molecular code that guides every living cell's ...

Source - Medical News Today :

Discovery Of New, Harmful Fat Cell

As if fat weren't troublesome enough, a research team at the University of Colorado School of Medicine has discovered a new type of fat cell with potentially harmful characteristics. The new fat cells arise from stem cellsin the bone marrow that travel through the blood stream to fat tissue. They are termed bone marrow progenitor-derived adipocytes. The discovery also revealed that male and female subjects accumulate the new fat cells differently. The research also may help to explain the link between types ofobesity and heart disease and other illnesses.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196670.php

Brain Tumor Imaging And Treatment Employing Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Tiny particles of iron oxide could become tools for simultaneous tumor imaging and treatment, because of their magnetic properties and toxic effects against brain cancer cells. In mice, researchers from Emory University School of Medicine have demonstrated how these particles can deliver antibodies to implanted brain tumors, while enhancing tumor visibility via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results are published online by the journal Cancer Research.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196669.php

FDA Approves First Embryonic Stem Cell Trial

On Friday, FDA announced that it has lifted a hold on the first human test of a treatment derived from embryonic stem cells , the New York Timesreports. Experts are calling the trial -- developed by Geron Corporation and the University of California-Irvine -- a milestone in health research because it will provide the first look at the safety and efficacy of embryonic stem cell therapy. Although stem cell therapies have been lauded for their "vast medical promise," they also have been "embroiled in political and ethical controversy" because the technology involves the destruction of human embryos. FDA approved the trial in January 2009 but later suspended it after rats injected with stem cells in a testing phase developed cysts(Pollack, New York Times, 7/30). FDA officials did not comment on why they removed the hold on the trial, but Geron officials said the company determined that the cysts "did not lead to any adverse consequences to the animals" and Geron changed its procedures "to minimize the likelihood of cyst formation" (Johnson, Contra Costa Times , 7/30).

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196595.php

Source - MIT's Technology Review :

Clear CT Scans with Less Radiation

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25919/

Growing Organs and Helping Wounds Heal

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25918/