TOP STORY |
Human Brain’s Most Ubiquitous Cell Cultivated in Lab Dish
A group reports it was able to direct embryonic and induced human stem cells to become astrocytes in the lab dish. [Press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discussing online prepublication in Nature Biotechnology]
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SCIENCE NEWS |
Pivotal Phase III Study Finds Overall Survival of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Is Significantly Improved with ZYTIGA™ (Abiraterone Acetate)
A study found that patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel showed a significant improvement in overall survival when treated with ZYTIGA™ (abiraterone acetate) plus prednisone compared to patients treated with prednisone plus placebo. [Press release from Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. discussing online prepublication in the New England Journal of Medicine]
Scientists Turn Human Skin Cells Directly into Neurons, Skipping iPS Stage
Human skin cells can be converted directly into functional neurons in a period of four to five weeks with the addition of just four proteins, according to a study. [Press release from Stanford University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Nature]
Team Publishes Paper that Could Improve Gene Therapy
Many diseases are the result of defective genes, and gene therapy is the tantalizing prospect of inserting properly functioning genes into a sick patient. But many promising gene therapies falter after a few weeks, and lasting cures remain elusive. A new paper may give fundamental insights into how to prevent these genes from being turned off and could lead to new therapies that last much longer. [Press release from Brigham Young University discussing online prepublication in Nature]
Predicting the Fate of Personalized Cells Next Step Towards New Therapies, Study Suggests
Researchers looked at progenitors and found a way to potentially predict their fate. They base this on how histones are marked by other proteins. [Press release from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Science]
Scientists Find New Drug Target in Breast Cancer
Researchers have identified a new protein involved in the development of drug resistance in breast cancer which could be a target for new treatments. [Press release from Imperial College London discussing online prepublication in Nature Medicine]
Researchers Move Step Closer to Using iPS Cells in Regenerative Medicine
A group of researchers has succeeded in producing a new type of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that is less carcinogenic, marking a step closer toward the use of iPS cells in regenerative medicine. [Press release from The Mainichi Daily News discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell]
Scientists Discover Switch to Speed Up Stem Cell Production to Facilitate Development of Treatments for Diseases
A team of scientists has shown how proteins involved in controlling genes work together to carry out their functions in stem cells and demonstrated for the very first time, how they can change interaction partners to make other types of cells. [Press release from the Genome Institute of Singapore of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research discussing online prepublication in Stem Cells]
Nanoengineers Invent New Biomaterial that More Closely Mimics Human Tissue
A new biomaterial designed for repairing damaged human tissue doesn’t wrinkle up when it is stretched. The invention marks a significant breakthrough in tissue engineering because it more closely mimics the properties of native human tissue. [Press release from the University of California, San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering discussing online prepublication in Advanced Functional Materials]
Researchers Discover Key Molecule for Stem Cell Pluripotency
Researchers have discovered what enables embryonic stem cells to differentiate into diverse cell types and thus to be pluripotent. [Press release from Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch discussing online prepublication in EMBO Reports]
Engineered Antibodies Cross Blood–Brain Barrier
By defying the classical rules of antibody engineering, researchers have constructed an antibody that is readily shuttled into the brain. The results suggest that the approach could be used to generate antibody-based therapies for brain diseases. [Press release from NatureNews discussing online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine]
Scientists Discover New Drug Target for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Scientists have found that a protein called α-catenin acts as a tumor suppressor and they have also unlocked the mechanism by which this protein controls cell proliferation. [Press release from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center discussing online prepublication in Science Signaling]
Athersys Announces Positive Interim Results from Ongoing Phase I Study of MultiStem® for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Support and Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Athersys, Inc. announced positive interim results from an ongoing Phase I clinical trial of MultiStem® administered to individuals undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants for the treatment of leukemia and related conditions. [Athersys, Inc. Press Release]
Researcher Developing Blood Substitute
Vibhudutta Awasthi is developing a nano-sized carrier of hemoglobin that may be safer than other attempted blood substitutes. [The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Press Release]
Researchers Discover Key to Making Cancer-Killing Peptides
Researchers have found the mechanism of action for cancer-cell-killing peptides. This breakthrough is expected to lead to better medication, in particular better treatments for leukemia, skin cancer, and infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. [Aalto University Press Release]
Celladon Corporation Announces MYDICAR® Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Advanced Heart Failure Provides Sustained Reduction in Clinical Events in Patients for 18 Months Compared with Placebo
Celladon Corp. announced that 18-month data from its Phase II CUPID clinical trial of MYDICAR® demonstrated continued improvements in clinical outcomes in advanced heart failure patients treated with the genetically-targeted enzyme replacement therapy. [Celladon Corporation Press Release]
Oxford BioMedica Announces Presentation of New Clinical Data from ProSavin Phase I/II Study in Parkinson’s Disease
Oxford BioMedica plc announced that new data from the on-going Phase I/II trial of ProSavin® for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease was presented. [Press release from Oxford BioMedica plc discussing research presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy]
Juventas Therapeutics Demonstrates JVS-100 Delivery to Patients with Heart Failure Is Safe and Provides Clinical Benefit
Juventas recently presented the results from its Phase I heart failure trial. [Press release from PR Newswire discussing research presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy]
Gene-Modified Stem Cells Help Protect Bone Marrow from Toxic Side Effects of Chemotherapy for Brain Cancer
Researchers reported that one possible approach to reduce chemotherapy’s toxic effect on bone marrow cells is to modify the cells with a gene that makes them resistant to chemotherapy. [Press release from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center discussing research presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy]
Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Research Demonstrates AAV Delivery May Be Key Success Factor for Therapeutic Promise of RNAi
Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics announced the results from studies exploring the role of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for the efficient delivery of short and micro RNA to inhibit disease by RNA interference. [Press release from Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics discussing research presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy]
Sangamo BioSciences and Collaborators Present Data Showcasing Broad Applications of ZFP Therapeutics®
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced that data from clinical, preclinical and research-stage programs focused on the development of Zinc Finger DNA-Binding Protein (ZFP) Therapeutics® were described in twenty presentations given by Sangamo scientists and collaborators. [Press release from Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. discussing research presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy]
Neurologix Presents One-Year Follow-Up Data From Phase II Study of NLX-P101 in Parkinson’s Disease
Neurologix, Inc. announced the presentation of efficacy results through one year of follow-up in patients treated as part of the Company’s successful Phase II clinical trial for its novel, investigational gene therapy NLX-P101 for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. [Press release from Neurologix, Inc. discussing research presented at the International Neuromodulation Society’s 10th World Congress]
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POLICY |
NSF Hopes Time Could Mean Money for Some Biologists
Data from the National Science Foundation (NSF) show that a handful of scientists seeking a research grant from its molecular and cellular biosciences division submit two proposals in the same funding cycle. [National Science Foundation, United States]
Senator’s Criticism of Science Foundation Draws Fire
Senator Tom Cobur’s latest salvo is a 73-page report that accuses the National Science Foundation of mishandling nearly $3 billion. But the report is itself filled with errors and questionable analyses, said science lobbyists. [Consortium of Social Science Associations, United States]
Two Candidates Nominated to Lead California Stem Cell Agency
Southern California investor Jonathan Thomas and cardiologist turned entrepreneur Frank Litvack have been nominated to lead the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. [California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, United States]
U.S. Court Raises Standard for Bringing Down Patents
A U.S. appeals court that specializes in patent disputes made it harder for patents to be declared invalid because of gaps or errors in patent applications. [U.S. Appeals Court, United States]
Revamp for WHO
The top decision-making body at the World Health Organization (WHO) — the World Health Assembly — backed reforms that might bring the biggest changes to the agency in its 63-year history. [World Health Organization, Switzerland]
New Name for U.K. Biolab As Report Revives Site Debate
Officials at the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation announced that in July the facility will officially become the Francis Crick Institute to honor the British Nobel laureate who co-discovered the structure of DNA. [UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation, United Kingdom]
Russia Revitalizes Science
Researchers drawn by ‘mega-grants’ find rewards and frustrations in equal measure. The 12-billion-rouble (US$428-million) ‘mega-grant’ program is part of Russia’s attempt to strengthen research at its neglected universities and modernize the country’s science and economy at large. Alas, Kafkaesque bureaucracy and a thicket of often-opaque regulations have survived the changes. [Russian Government, Russia]
France Set to Uphold Curbs on Embryonic Stem Cells
The National Assembly voted to uphold the curbs in the second reading of the new bioethics law. [National Assembly, France] |
BUSINESS |
STEMSOFT® Software Inc. Launches Certified Partner Program
STEMSOFT Software Inc. announced the launch of a new Certified Partner Program. This new program is designed to help STEMSOFT clients identify complementary products or services that will be of benefit to them and ultimately assist them with finding the answers to the questions or unique need they have. [STEMSOFT Software Inc. Press Release]
Innovative Therapy Method for the Treatment of Brain Tumors
The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc. are cooperating in the development of production processes and establishment of an innovative therapy method for the treatment of glioblastomas in Europe. [Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Press Release]
Monash Leads Australia-India Research Collaboration
Monash projects have been awarded almost a quarter of the $5 million in available funding through Round 5 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. [Monash University Press Release]
Coulter Foundation and Stanford Establish $20 Million Endowment for Bioengineering Projects to Fill Medical Needs
A $20 million endowment to support the translation of ideas that address unmet medical needs into treatments and devices that improve human health has been established in the Stanford University Department of Bioengineering, with support from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation and the university. [Stanford University School of Medicine Press Release]
Kerecis Completes Interim Financing
Kerecis Limited has secured US$ 1 million in interim financing. The US$ 1 million financing is a mixture of equity, grants and debt and is provided by a group of existing and new stakeholders. [Kerecis Limited Press Release]
Prima BioMed Completes $21 Million Placement
Prima BioMed Ltd. announced that it has successfully completed the placement of new ordinary shares that was announced on Wednesday 25 May 2011. [Prima BioMed Ltd. Press Release]
Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 36 New Projects in FY 2011
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission has completed its review of the 180 applications received in response to its three FY 2011 Requests for Applications. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Press Release]
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Researchers Receives NIH Grant for the Move Toward Clinical Trials Targeting the Lysosomal Storage Disease MPSIIIB
Investigators at Nationwide Children’s have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help move a therapy for MPS IIIB that has been shown effective in mice toward clinical trials in humans. [Nationwide Children’s Hospital Press Release]
Four B.C. Cancer Researchers Receive Nearly $2 Million in Grants
Dr. Raymond Andersen is among four B.C. researchers to receive nearly $2 million from the Canadian Cancer Society. [Vancouver Sun]
UK’s NICE Backs Roche Drug as Maintenance Therapy
Roche’s cancer drug MabThera has been recommended for use on Britain’s state health service as a maintenance therapy for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, expanding the market for the medicine. [Reuters]
OncoSec Medical to Initiate Multiple Phase II Skin Cancer Clinical Trials
OncoSec Medical Incorporated announced it will initiate three Phase II clinical trials to assess its cancer-destroying, tissue-sparing ElectroImmunotherapy technology in patients with melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. [PR Newswire]
Adaptimmune Announces Opening of Phase I/II Clinical Trial in Multiple Myeloma
Adaptimmune announced that it has opened a Phase I/II, dual site, two‐cohort, open‐label clinical trial in multiple myeloma at the University of Maryland and the University of Pennsylvania testing its enhanced T cell receptor T cell therapy. [Adaptimmune Ltd. Press Release]
TxCell Receives Approval for Extension of Phase I/II Clinical Trial in Crohn’s Disease
TxCell SA announces the approval by AFSSAPS, the French regulatory agency, of its application to extend treatment of patients included in the Crohn’s Disease Phase I/II study with Ovasave, a type 1 regulatory T cell based immunotherapy. [TxCell SA Press Release]
Notification of Date of Preliminary Results and Update on Stroke Clinical Trial
ReNeuron Group plc announced the completion of dosing of the first cohort of patients in the PISCES clinical trial of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. [ReNeuron Group plc Press Release]
Patrick Hwu, M.D., and Mario Sznol, M.D., Join Genesis Biopharma’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board
Genesis Biopharma, Inc. announced that Patrick Hwu, M.D., and Mario Sznol, M.D., have joined the Company’s recently formed Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. [Genesis Biopharma, Inc. Press Release]
Christopher Kane, M.D., Appointed C. Lowell & JoEllen Parsons Endowed Chair
Christopher Kane, M.D., has been named the inaugural holder of the C. Lowell and JoEllen Parsons Endowed Chair in Urology. [University of California, San Diego Press Release]
David Nassif Joins Histogen as President and CFO
Histogen, Inc. announced that David Nassif, J.D. has joined the Company as President and Chief Financial Officer. [Histogen, Inc. Press Release]
UCSF School of Medicine Names Vice Dean of Education
Catherine Reinis Lucey, M.D., has been appointed vice dean for education in the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. [University of California, San Francisco Press Release]
Flotte Elected to ASGCT Advisory Council
Terence R. Flotte, M.D. has been elected to a five-year term on the Advisory Council of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT). [University of Massachusetts Medical School Press Release]
Nobel Laureate Receives Porter Prize from Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health
Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Ph.D. is the 2011 recipient of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health’s Porter Prize in recognition of her outstanding achievements promoting health and preventing disease through her many contributions to HIV/AIDS research. [University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Press Release]
Alvarez-Buylla Recognized for Pioneering Stem Cell Research
Neural stem cell scientist Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, Ph.D. received word that he was one of three scientists named to receive the 2011 Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research. [University of California, San Francisco Press Release]
ISSCR Awards Announced for Innovation, Public Service and Outstanding Young Investigator
Three key awards – the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) McEwen Centre Award for Innovation, the ISSCR Public Service Award and the Outstanding Young Investigator Award – will be presented at the 9th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. [International Society for Stem Cell Research Press Release]
Lee W. Wattenberg, M.D., Receives the 2011 AACR Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Prevention Research
Lee W. Wattenberg, M.D., will receive the 2011 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Prevention Research for his role in launching the field of chemoprevention and his work to understand the potential mechanisms of action of chemopreventive compounds. [American Association for Cancer Research Press Release]
Salk Gift Dedicates Two Endowed Chairs – in Honor of Nobel Prize Winners and Past Presidents
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies announced the visionary gift of Irwin and Joan Jacobs in the dedication of two endowed chairs to pay permanent tribute to Drs. Dulbecco and Guillemin. [Salk Institute for Biological Studies Press Release] |
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