Your May 17 article about genetic engineering [Facts, Fears and the Future of Food] is so chock-full of glib falsehoods that I hardly know where to begin. I would have far more respect for the science behind biotechnology if it didnt depend so heavily on half-truths, double standards, unwarranted assumptions, blurred distinctions and conflicts of interest. Jack Britt says that the same microorganisms move genes between species both in nature and in genetic engineering, and therefore the methods are the same. This is half true. In the latter, various techniques are employed to either bypass or weaken the natural immunity of the organism being manipulated, often literally forcing the DNA into the cells in ways that would never occur in nature. Stating that many organisms are naturally GMO, and therefore implying that we have carte blanche to do whatever we wish, isnt just a stretch, its a whopper. Britt and Leah McGrath emphasize the precision of these techniques. Again, this is a perversion of the truth. In fact, this is merely a precision of abstractions, because the living organism is then going to move these genes around in ways that cant possibly be controlled or predicted. The only way to … Continue reading →

As Boulders biotech community continues to thrive and grow, theJennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Buildingdebuted its state-of-the-art E-Wing on Monday. The 56,340-square-foot E-Wingwill feature next-generation active learning spaces where students learn by doing rather than by being lectured, as well as laboratory space wherecurrent and future faculty in the BioFrontiers Instituteand the Department of Chemicaland Biological Engineering will be able tocontinue their groundbreaking research. Mondays ribbon-cutting event honored Colorado-based philanthropists John and Anna Sie, whose generous $2 million gift will allow for the creation of an industry co-location space on the E-Wings second floor. The space will be leased to industry partners, allowing local and national biotech companies to bring scientists and resources on-site in order to work side-by-side with university students and researchers. CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano and Tom Cech, Nobel Laureate and director of the BioFrontiers Institute, were on hand to officially open the Yuan Yung-Foo Interdisciplinary Bioscience Research Neighborhood and thanked the Sies for their continued support of BioFrontiers and the universitys research mission. The Sies, whose philanthropic generosity is well known in the state of Colorado and around the world, have provided stalwart support for the BioFrontiers Institute for many years and in many ways, said … Continue reading →

Signalling Keralas intention to transform itself into one of the top destinations in the biotechnology sector, scientists, technologists and technocrats have pledged support to the government in its efforts to promote the establishment of biotech industries. A conclave organised by the Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC) here on Thursday stressed the need to harness the immense biological resources and human potential in the State to create an enabling ecosystem and attract investments in the sector. Inaugurating the event, Minister for Water Resources Mathew T.Thomas said Kerala, with its rich biodiversity, unique spices and traditional systems of medicine offered unprecedented opportunities for biotechnology- based industries. Pointing out that the sector had registered low growth, despite the governments efforts to improve infrastructural facilities, the Minister said the Biotechnology Park at Kalamassery and the Life Sciences Park at Thiruvananthapuram would be promoted as hubs of biotechnology- based industries. Biotechnology, the Minister said, could play a major role in increasing agricultural productivity as well as in other sectors like the environment, animal husbandry, bio fuels and aquaculture. Ecosystem The government was committed to the creation of an ecosystem for the establishment of biotech- based industries, the Minister added. Presiding over the inaugural function, V.K.Ramachandran, Vice … Continue reading →

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, announced the release of two abstracts on its drug neratinib that will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress, which will be held September 8 12 in Madrid, Spain. Abstracts are available to the public online on the ESMO website: http://www.esmo.org. Abstract #1490: Neratinib after trastuzumab-based adjuvant therapy in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer:5-year analysis of the Phase III ExteNET trial.The abstract will be presented as a proffered paper oral session on Friday, September 8. Abstract #177P:Effects of neratinib on health-related quality of life in early stage HER2-positive breast cancer.The abstract will be displayed as a poster on Monday, September 11. The ExteNET trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III trial of neratinib versus placebo after adjuvant treatment with trastuzumab (Herceptin) in women with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer. U.S. Approval of Neratinib (NERLYNX) Neratinib was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2017 for the extended adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early stage HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer, following adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy, and is marketed in the United States as NERLYNX (neratinib) tablets. About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Approximately 20% to 25% of breast cancer … Continue reading →