GBP Health/Biotech 01-17-2010

GBP Health / Biotech News 01-17-2010:

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.

Source - EurekAlert - Biology:

Public Release: 15-Jan-2010

Annals of Neurology

Genetic risk factor identified for Parkinson's disease

An international team of doctors and human geneticists has identified a new genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease. The institutions involved in the study were the Institute of Human Genetics of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universitat Munchen, the Neurological Clinic of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich and the Mitochondrial Research Group of Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Contact: Sven Winkler

presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de

49-893-187-3946

Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health

Public Release: 15-Jan-2010

BMC Genomics

Researchers identify proteins that might contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease

A scientific group led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute have identified three kinases, or proteins, that dismantle connections within brain cells, which may lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Contact: Steve Yozwiak

syozwiak@tgen.org

602-343-8704

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

Public Release: 14-Jan-2010

Journal of the National Cancer Institute

3 esophageal cancer cell lines commonly used in research prove to be from other cancers

Three frequently used human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines used for research were confirmed as being from other tumor types, according to a brief communication published online Jan. 14 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Two of the cell lines have been used in 11 US patents and more than 100 published studies.

Contact: Steve Graff

jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org

301-841-1285

Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Public Release: 14-Jan-2010

Nano Letters

Game-changing nanodiamond discovery for MRI

A Northwestern University study shows that coupling a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent to a nanodiamond results in dramatically enhanced signal intensity and thus vivid image contrast. The researchers say it is a game-changing event for sensitivity and the first published report of nanodiamonds being imaged by MRI technology. The gadolinium(III)-nanodiamond complex demonstrated a greater than 10-fold increase in relaxivity -- among the highest per Gd(III) values reported to date.

National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health

Contact: Megan Fellman

fellman@northwestern.edu

847-491-3115

Northwestern University

Public Release: 13-Jan-2010

AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer

TGen-Scottsdale Healthcare researchers make breakthrough in lung cancer

Researchers for TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare have identified a way to predict which patients with small-cell lung cancer may be resistant to first-line chemotherapy.

Sylvia-Chase Foundation, American Cancer Society, IBIS Foundation of Arizona, TGen Foundation

Contact: Steve Yozwiak

syozwiak@tgen.org

602-343-8704

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

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.

New Finding in Cell Migration May Be Key to Preventing Clots, Cancer Spread

January 15, 2010 — Researchers have discovered how cells in the body flatten out as they adhere to internal bodily surfaces, the first step in a wide range of important processes including clot formation, immune ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114143319.htm

Blood Test May Aid in Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Reduce Unnecessary Invasive Procedures

January 15, 2010 — Of the nearly 150,000 abnormal chest X-rays performed each year in the United States, 25 percent of patients will display only benign lung pathologies on further surgical ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112165106.htm

Cancer Cells Co-Opt Fat Metabolism Pathway to Become More Malignant

January 15, 2010 — An enzyme that normally helps break down stored fats goes into overdrive in some cancer cells, making them more malignant, according to new ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112122437.htm

EGFR Gene Signature Predicts Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Prognosis

January 15, 2010 — Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer. Researchers have now discovered a 93-gene signature that is associated with the presence of ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112165117.htm

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Associated With Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

January 14, 2010 — Researchers have found that angiotensin receptor blockers -- a particular class of anti-hypertensive medicines -- are associated with a striking decrease in the occurrence and progression of ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100112201345.htm

Drug Shows Promise as New Treatment for Gut Tumor

January 14, 2010 — Bortezomib, a drug that already is an approved therapy for some cancers, also might be an effective secondary treatment for a rare tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, say ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111154928.htm

Mutations in Different Cells Cooperate to Set the Stage for Cancer

January 14, 2010 — Cancer biologists have long known that it takes the cooperation of multiple cancer-causing genes to cause cancer. Now researchers have shown that the cooperating mutations can occur in neighboring ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113131514.htm

Neuroimaging May Shed Light on How Alzheimer's Disease Develops

January 14, 2010 — Current Alzheimer's disease research indicates that accumulation of amyloid-beta (AB) protein plaques in the brain is central to the development of AD. While previously presence of these plaques ...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111102523.htm

Source - Health Day:

Health Highlights: Jan. 15, 2010

FDA Can't Block E-Cigarette Imports: Judge

Tylenol Maker Failed to Investigate Problems: FDA

Gay Marriage Ban Adds to Social Stigma: Expert

Recalled Dog Treats May Contain Salmonella: FDA

Parenthood Linked With Lower Blood Pressure: Study

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 15, 2010

Skin Pain (Shingles)

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Low Sex Drive in Menopausal Women

Incorrect Cell Lines Used for Worldwide Cancer Research

But tumor-type mixups don't necessarily negate findings, experts say

Source - Yahoo Biotech News:

Celgene Completes Acquisition of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals - Business Wire - Fri 7:30 am ET

SUMMIT, N.J.----Celgene Corporation today announced it has closed its acquisition of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals following the early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Lilly CEO Stresses Human Element in Driving Medical Innovation - PR Newswire - Thu 3:00 pm ET

In the keynote address at a Town Hall Los Angeles luncheon event today, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, said that in the current challenging economic times, sustaining our nation's edge in innovation and improving our focus on medical innovation's richest resource – people – is imperative to achieving prosperity and health in the coming decade. His speech focused on bioscience innovation, a sector in which Los Angeles boasts one of the largest concentrations of jobs in the country.

Source - Google Health News:

Doctors Weigh in on Top Eye Care Advances of the Decade

Healthcanal.com

Several other advances–including premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), the Femtosecond laser, gene therapy for Leber's congenital amaurosis and DSAEK ...

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy presents information on brain cancer

Connectcut Plus

By Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy There were an estimated 22070 new cases of brain and other nervous system cancers diagnosed in 2009 – that is ...

Gene Therapy to Treat Damaged Heart Tissue

WTVY

... Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, talks about his research involving gene therapy to treat damaged heart tissue. ...

Genetix Pharmaceuticals' Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) Product Recognized As One ...

PR Web (press release)

Genetix is developing this gene therapy product in collaboration with Professor Patrick Aubourg and Doctor Nathalie Cartier of INSERM, and planning to file ...

Gene Therapy and Stem Cell News - Molecular Security System, China Rising Star ...

Next Big Future (blog)

Stem cell research, tissue engineering and gene therapy are key areas receiving priority funding, largely centralized in the universities, hospitals and ..

Source - Medical News Today:

How An Eye Test Could Aid Alzheimer's Detection

A simple and inexpensive eye test could aid detection and diagnosis of major neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's at an earlier stage than is currently possible, according to new research by UCL scientists. The research, led by Professors Francesca Cordeiro & Stephen Moss and published in Cell Death & Disease, demonstrates a new technique that enables retinal, and therefore brain cell death, to be directly measured in real time. The method, demonstrated in an animal model, could not only refine diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders and help track disease progress; it could also aid the assessment and development of new treatments.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176179.php

Diabetes And Pre-Diabetes Accounted For $218 Billion In Costs In 2007, Health Affairs Paper Demonstrates

A new analysis found that the cost of diabetes and pre-diabetes reached $218 billion in 2007, with the exploding number of cases of type 2 diabetes responsible for the majority of the costs. The National Changing Diabetes® Program (NCDP), a program of Novo Nordisk, commissioned the analysis, published online as a Web First article in Health Affairs and performed by researchers at The Lewin Group. According to the study, diagnosed type 2 diabetes accounted for $174.4 billion of 2007 spending on diabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes was responsible for $18 billion in costs. Spending on type 1 diabetes totaled $14.9 billion in 2007. Pre-diabetes, a state of elevated blood glucose that affects one in every four adults in the U.S. and is a precursor to diabetes, cost $25 billion. Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, was associated with $636 million in costs.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176089.php

Testing For Breast Cancer Gene: No Simple Answers

A genetic mutation can significantly increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer . But does that mean everyone should be tested? A new direct-to-consumer advertising campaign in select markets nationwide urges women to get tested. But experts from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center warn that the test is not appropriate for all women.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176065.php

FDA Gives TCA Cellular Therapy Green Light To Proceed With First ALS Adult Stem Cell Trial Using Patient's Own Stem Cells

TCA Cellular Therapy, LLC (TCA-CT) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its adult stem cell protocol to conduct Phase I clinical trials to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease ). This is the second FDA-approved protocol for the treatment of ALS using stem cells in the country; and the first using adult stem cells from the same patient. The aim of the Phase I study will assess safety.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176059.php

Source - MIT's Technology Review:

Using Printed Nanocircuits to Sense Hormones

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24370/

Inflatable Device Stops the Bleeding

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24360/