When it comes to getting biotechnology innovations to market, with commercial protection, it can be tough. Around three quarters of patent applications normally fail to cut it. Although biotechnology is recognised as being important for the economy and society, it can also be highly controversial attracting public protests The European Patent Office (EPO) has faced opposition in the past, for instance, over patents relating to processes for re-engineering genes, for use in medical research into cancer treatment. These processes could apply to various animals, including great apes and that became a magnet for criticism from animal rights campaigners. The number of patent filings for biotechnology increased by 0.3 percent in 2016, to 5,744 making it the tenth largest sector in its field. Youris.com spoke to Benoit Battistelli, President of the EPO, about the role of patent protection and how it can aid biotechnology innovation and the wider bioeconomy despite the obstacles faced by some. How much of a focus is the bioeconomy for patents and what are some of the key developments? Biosciences play an important role in patent applications at the EPO, given the growing convergence of technologies, which is widely responsible for technical progress in a wide number … Continue reading →

SEATTLE, April 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the first investor in M3 Biotechnology, the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) helped validate the therapeutic potential of M3s drug candidate for Alzheimers disease. With a second investment of $1.4 million, the ADDF is now providing key funds to support the launch of human trials this year. While current drugs for Alzheimers disease only provide symptomatic relief, M3s small molecule therapeutics have the potential to be truly disease-modifying. By re-establishing lost connections between brain cells, these therapies may halt the course of the disease. M3 is now in the process of planning a first-in-humans Phase 1a clinical trial for its lead candidate, NDX-1017, to evaluate its safety and determine optimal dosing range. ADDFs first investment spurred others, including many private investors and Washington state-based venture groups W Fund and WRF Capital. These investments evidenced the faith in our potential, which helped us make it past the valley of death for drug development and raise nearly $14 million in additional funding, said Leen Kawas, M3s CEO. The most noteworthy new investor in M3 is Dolby Family Ventures, which invests in technology and life sciences. The fund makes early stage investments in the most … Continue reading →

Dr Vinay Rale shares his thoughts with BioSpectrum on current biotech education and the academia-industry gap Dr Vinay Rale, Director, Symbiosis School of Biomedical Sciences (SSBS) Brief recapitulation of genesis of Biotechnology in India A quick recapitulation of the genesis of Biotechnology in India will not be out of place to apprise the lay public. We essentially (and blindly) followed the USA in 1985 in initiating Biotechnology programs at Master's level at six select universities across India. In the 1970s, the ability to modify DNA molecules and the realization of the power of genetic engineering led prominent universities in the US to convince their Government to allocate huge funds to start Biotechnology' - a term newly coined by them. The Indian model, first at Masters level, to cater to the need for trained manpower for the anticipated boom in the Biotechnology industry was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Very soon a large number of institutions both in private and public sector followed suit to attract students. The wildfire spread to undergraduate programs equally rapidly. However, this led to two major disadvantages - the relegation of basic courses in Life Sciences such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology and Botany and … Continue reading →

Biotech Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the President, (BSN), says the adoption of biotechnology will facilitate sustainable agricultural production in the country. Ubi made the declaration in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday He said that the adoption of biotechnology applications was the panacea to the current food challenges facing the country. Biotechnology, including genetic engineering and production of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), provides powerful tools for the sustainable development of agriculture, fishery and forestry, as well as meeting the food needs of the population. GMOs currently account for about 16 per cent of the worlds crops, particularly crops like soybean, maize, cotton and canola, and there are indications that the growing trend will continue. So, we must eat what we grow and grow what we eat. This means we ought to produce more and agricultural biotechnology is a tool for achieving this, he said. Ubi also pledged the support of the BSN for the efforts of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to harness the potential of modern biotechnology. READ: Kwara International Vocational Centre gets equipment BSN, as a stakeholder in biosafety, will continue to support NBMA; we should all be rest assured that no biotechnology … Continue reading →

By Nicolas Chahine, InvestorPlace Contributor|Apr 13, 2017, 12:59 pm EDT The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ:IBB) has been under technical pressure. For the past few weeks, IBB shares have been building a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. To catch that breakdown I shared a trade that will do it for free, and its working already. In the short term, the IBB ETF is tight, suggesting that a sizable move should be coming. But with no major changes in the thesis, the breakout from the current squeeze is more likely up than down. So for that reason, I want to book my small profits in the bearish setup and reset a long IBB trade for the next year. The Bet: Sell the IBB Jan 2018 $240/$235 credit put spread. This is a bullish trade for which I collect 90 cents per contract to open. I have a 90% theoretical chance of having it expire for maximum gains. If IBB shares close above $240, this trade would yield 20% on money risked. By taking this risk, I accept the fact that IBB shares could fall $20 or more in the next few weeks. But with a 20% price buffer and the amount of … Continue reading →