Monthly Archives: February 2012

OTTAWA, Feb. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The Harper Government today announced new research aimed at improving the lives of people with rare diseases. The announcement was made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Dr. Colin Carrie, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "Our Government is committed to improving the quality of life of Canadians," said Dr. Carrie. "Today's announcement is about helping patients and families affected by a rare disease and improving the lives of those living with these conditions." The overall objective of the research is to transform fundamental biological research into medical practice and treatments in the area of rare diseases. For example, one team is conducting research on Fabry disease, a rare condition that affects many organ systems and results in a reduced life expectancy. This team will conduct a clinical research trial involving gene therapy, with the ultimate goal of establishing an effective treatment for this disease. In total, nine collaborative research teams will be supported. They will investigate a range of issues related to rare diseases, including basic biological science, health services, and policies. "CIHR is pleased to support these new research teams," said Dr. Lasko, Scientific Director … Continue reading →

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Complete Genomics Inc. (Nasdaq:GNOM - News), the whole human genome sequencing company, today announced the formation of its Genomic Medicine Advisory Board (GMAB). The GMAB will provide insight and guidance on the best ways for the company to provide sequencing services to healthcare organizations and physicians interested in implementing genomic medicine in their practice. Inaugural board members include distinguished physicians and scientists. Robert Nussbaum, MD, Holly Smith Professor of Medicine, chief of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Medicine, and director of the Cancer Risk and Cardiovascular Genetics Programs at the University of California, San Francisco, will serve as GMAB chairman. "There are a number of major challenges to deploying whole genome sequencing in the clinic," said Dr. Nussbaum. "The Complete Genomics GMAB is a wonderful opportunity to assemble thought leaders in genomic medicine to begin to define the 'clinical genome' and how to make it most useful and accessible to clinicians, establish technical and ethical standards, and address some of the regulatory and reimbursement obstacles that exist in this rapidly-evolving field. Complete Genomics is committed to doing this right." Founding members of the Complete Genomics GMAB include … Continue reading →

Embargoed for Release Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9 a.m. EST An online tool launched today by the National Institutes of Health will make it easier to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of genetic tests. The free resource, called the Genetic Testing Registry (GTR), is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/. "Im delighted that NIH has created this powerful, new tool. It is a tremendous resource for all who are struggling to make sense of the complex world of genetic testing," said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., who unveiled GTR at NIH's observance of international Rare Disease Day. "This registry will help a lot of people from health care professionals looking for answers to their patients diseases to researchers seeking to identify gaps in scientific knowledge." Genetic tests currently exist for about 2,500 diseases, and the field continues to grow at an astonishing rate. To keep pace, GTR will be updated frequently, using data voluntarily submitted by genetic test providers. Such information will include the purpose of each genetic test and its limitations; the name and location of the test provider; whether it is a clinical or research test; what methods are used; and what is measured. GTR will contain no confidential … Continue reading →

By a GenomeWeb staff reporter NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) The National Institutes of Health has launched a new web resource aimed at providing consumers and healthcare providers with information about all of the genetic tests that are currently on the market. The Genetic Testing Registry, unveiled today international Rare Disease Day was developed to serve as an encyclopedia of the genetic tests that currently exist for around 2,500 genetic diseases, one which will be updated as new tests and applications come on the market. The goal was to create a resource that would help healthcare providers and consumers sort through information about the available tests, because most do not require premarket review by the US Food and Drug Administration. The GTR entries will cover information on the purpose of the test, its limitations, the name and location of the providers, whether it is for clinical or research use, what methods are used, and how the results are measured. NIH will not verify the content of the entries provided by the testing providers, but it will require that they agree to a code of conduct for accuracy that will enable NIH to require submitters to correct inaccuracies or to remove such … Continue reading →

SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an emerging biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions, announced today Goldman Small Cap Research has reissued its buy recommendation on Nuvilex with a short term price target of $0.50 per share. According to the research report prepared by Goldman, The current share price represents but a fraction of its true value, in our view. With recently increased interest and valuation in the pancreatic cancer treatment arena, we believe that Nuvilex is worth $0.20 just on the oncology therapies alone and that the shares will reach $0.50 in the next six months. Looking ahead, as milestone events occur, $1.00 per share is within reach over the next 12-18 months. Goldman bases this value projection, in part, on the pending acquisition of SG Austria assets, and with it complete control over the cell encapsulation technology that forms the backbone of Nuvilexs planned biotechnology development. The report states in part the following: Following execution of the SG Austria asset acquisition, we expect to see a flurry of events and progress on the development side which will serve as catalysts, including when management submits its protocol for the next stage pancreatic cancer trial. We would … Continue reading →

Celltex hosts the largest stem-cell bank in the United States. TYLER RUDICK With Texas pouring millions of dollars into developing adult stem-cell treatments, doctors there are already injecting paying customers with unproven preparations, supplied by an ambitious new company. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any such stem-cell treatment for routine clinical use, although it does sanction them for patients enrolled in registered clinical trials. Some advocates of the treatments argue, however, that preparations based on a patient's own cells should not be classed as drugs, and should not therefore fall under the FDA's jurisdiction. There are certainly plenty of people eager to have the treatments. Texas governor Rick Perry, for instance, has had stem-cell injections to treat a back complaint1, and has supported legislation to help create banks to store patients' harvested stem cells. One company that has benefited from this buoyant climate is Celltex Therapeutics, which multiplies and banks stem cells derived from people's abdominal fat, according to chairman and chief executive David Eller. Its facility in Sugar Land, just outside Houston, opened in December 2011 and houses the largest stem-cell bank in the United States. Celltex was founded by Eller and Stanley Jones, … Continue reading →

More Topics: Choose a Sector Accounting Firms Advertising/Media/Communications Capital CEO/Board General Business Health/Biotech Internet/Technology Investment Firms Law Firms Mergers & Acquisitions Money Managers People Private Companies Public Companies Venture Capital Posted February 29, 2012 Nanotechnology Expert Younan Xia is one of world's "Top 10" Chemists; Joins Georgia Tech ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Younan Xia, Ph.D., an internationally recognized leader in the field of nanotechnology, recently joined the Georgia Institute of Technology as the first Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine. Dr. Xia is the Brock Family Chair and GRA Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, with a joint appointment in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research focuses on nanocrystals -- a novel class of materials with features smaller than 100 nanometers -- as well as the development of innovative technologies enabled by nanocrystals. One nanometer is equal to one billionth of a meter. These technologies span the fields of molecular imaging, early cancer diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, biomaterials, regenerative medicine and catalysis. "The possible applications of nanotechnology in medicine have only begun to be explored," said Michael Cassidy, president and CEO of the Georgia Research Alliance. … Continue reading →