Biotechnology Industry Leader Mark Lievonen Honoured – Business Wire (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Canada NewsWire (press release) | Biotechnology Industry Leader Mark Lievonen Honoured Business Wire (press release) OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On behalf of the biotechnology industry in Canada we congratulate Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited for his recent induction to the Canadian Marketing Healthcare Hall of Fame Award, in recognition ... Sanofi Pasteur's Mark Lievonen Honoured For Commitment to Biotechnology ...Canada NewsWire (press release) |
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April 14th, 2013
Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research rips off writer, threatens to sue … – Boing Boing
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Boing Boing | Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research rips off writer, threatens to sue ... Boing Boing But not in the case of The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc., a company that receives millions in federal grants to fund biotech research. When Purrington sent CPBR an email telling them off for plagiarizing him, they responded by ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Top Photos & Videos – News & Observer
By Dr. Matthew Watson
NewNet | Top Photos & Videos News & Observer A fledgling agricultural biotechnology company founded by a group of industry veterans and serial entrepreneurs has raised $14.5 million in venture capital financing in spite of a notoriously tough funding environment. “It's a testament to how good the ... RTP agri-tech bags $14.5M for crop researchTriangle Business Journal AgBiome Adds $14.5M for Agricultural ProductsPrivate Equity Hub (press release) |
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April 14th, 2013
Editorial: Proposed cuts in state funding for NC Biotechnology Center would … – Winston-Salem Journal
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Editorial: Proposed cuts in state funding for NC Biotechnology Center would ... Winston-Salem Journal The governor's proposed budget would cut $10 million from the N.C. Biotechnology Center's $17.2 million annual appropriation over each of the next two years, the Journal's Richard Craver reported. The nonprofit center, whose only funding resource is ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Blockade of Chronic Type I Interferon Signaling to Control Persistent LCMV … – Science Careers Blog (subscription)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Blockade of Chronic Type I Interferon Signaling to Control Persistent LCMV ... Science Careers Blog (subscription) 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics and the UCLA AIDS Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Dutch and Russian universities set up stem cell research centre – Telegraph.co.uk
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Telegraph.co.uk | Dutch and Russian universities set up stem cell research centre Telegraph.co.uk The 2012 Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent (stem cells) by scientists in Japan and the UK ,and Skoltech has engaged one of the world's leading experts in cancer and molecular genetics ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Science of genome-sequencing has rocketed forward in 10 years – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Science of genome-sequencing has rocketed forward in 10 years Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Howard Jacob, who has directed the sequencing efforts as head of the Medical College's human and molecular genetics center, has begun seeking support for an ambitious $60 million institute that would include clinical and research programs, data storage ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Food Supplement Could Help Delay Parkinsons Disease – The Future of Things
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 The Future of Things | Food Supplement Could Help Delay Parkinsons Disease The Future of Things A team of researchers from the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry in the Tel Aviv University (TAU) led by Prof. Gil Ast and Dr. Ron Buchner and recently discovered that a supplement known as phosphatidylserine can improve the ... |
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April 14th, 2013
UCLA study suggests potential therapy for HIV – Eureka! Science News
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Eureka! Science News | UCLA study suggests potential therapy for HIV Eureka! Science News ... they produce type-1 interferons, which trigger the immune system's protective defenses and sets off an alarm to notify surrounding cells," explained principal investigator David Brooks, assistant professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular ... |
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April 14th, 2013
Science under the stage lights – Harvard Gazette
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Harvard Gazette | Science under the stage lights Harvard Gazette The American Cancer Society Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School first fell in love with the art form during a production of Samuel Beckett's absurdist play “Waiting for Godot.” But it wasn't ... |
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April 14th, 2013
StemCells, Inc., Nails Down Controversial, $19 Million Award from California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The stock price of StemCells, Inc.,
price today jumped as much as 9 percent after the company disclosed
it had finally concluded an agreement with the California stem cell
agency for a $19.3 million forgivable loan for research twice rejected by the agency's scientific reviewers..
The stem cell agency governing board seven months ago approved the loan to the Newark, Ca., firm. But the
cash was withheld until the financially strapped company could
demonstrate that it could match the size of the loan, as promised in
its application.
cash was withheld until the financially strapped company could
demonstrate that it could match the size of the loan, as promised in
its application.
The StemCells, Inc., (SCI) application
was nixed two times in 2012 by the agency's scientific reviewers who gave it a
score of 61. In a controversial move, the 29-member board approved the award in early September on a 7-5 vote after former agency
chairman Robert Klein intervened publicly on behalf of the firm. It was the first time that Klein had lobbied the board publicly on behalf of an application. It was also the first time that the board
approved an application that was rejected twice by its reviewers, a
panel of internationally recognized stem cell scientists.
was nixed two times in 2012 by the agency's scientific reviewers who gave it a
score of 61. In a controversial move, the 29-member board approved the award in early September on a 7-5 vote after former agency
chairman Robert Klein intervened publicly on behalf of the firm. It was the first time that Klein had lobbied the board publicly on behalf of an application. It was also the first time that the board
approved an application that was rejected twice by its reviewers, a
panel of internationally recognized stem cell scientists.
In a press release, Martin McGlynn,
CEO of StemCells, Inc., said,
CEO of StemCells, Inc., said,
"With CIRM's support, we are now
able to lay the groundwork that could result in the world's first
neural stem cell trial in Alzheimer's patients."
Both the company and the $3 billion
state research agency were tight-lipped about the nature of the
matching funds from the company, which reported losses of $28.5
million in 2012 on revenues of $1.4 million.
state research agency were tight-lipped about the nature of the
matching funds from the company, which reported losses of $28.5
million in 2012 on revenues of $1.4 million.
In a brief response to questions from the
California Stem Cell Report, McGlynn said,
California Stem Cell Report, McGlynn said,
“At this time, we
do not intend to elaborate any further on the contents of our press
releases or public filings pertaining to the SVB (Silicon Valley Bank) or CIRM(the stem cell agency) loans.”
Earlier this week, the company reported receiving a $10 million loan from Silicon Valley Bank. Both McGlynn
and the stem cell agency did not answer a question about whether
those funds are being used to back the award from California
taxpayers.
and the stem cell agency did not answer a question about whether
those funds are being used to back the award from California
taxpayers.
The agency confirmed that the firm was
providing $19.3 million in matching resources. But Kevin McCormack,
senior director of public communications, did not provide any
specifics on the nature of the match. He only said,
providing $19.3 million in matching resources. But Kevin McCormack,
senior director of public communications, did not provide any
specifics on the nature of the match. He only said,
“The matching requires
them to demonstrate they have enough funds necessary to
fund SCI’s share going forward as well as their own
operations and other commitments.”
The award was originally for $20
million. We have queried the agency about the smaller figure
announced today.
million. We have queried the agency about the smaller figure
announced today.
The company's stock price rose as high as $1.87 earlier today after closing at $1.71 yesterday. It stood at
$1.77 at the time of this writing. Its 52 week high is $2.67, and its
52 week low is $0.59. The loan from Silicon Valley Bank gives the
bank warrants to purchase 293,531 shares of the company at $1.70 over
the next 10 years.
$1.77 at the time of this writing. Its 52 week high is $2.67, and its
52 week low is $0.59. The loan from Silicon Valley Bank gives the
bank warrants to purchase 293,531 shares of the company at $1.70 over
the next 10 years.
The 10-year loan from CIRM is low risk for the
company, which said its “obligation to repay the loan will be
contingent upon the success” of the research. If a product is
developed, it will take years before it could hit the market.
company, which said its “obligation to repay the loan will be
contingent upon the success” of the research. If a product is
developed, it will take years before it could hit the market.
The award to StemCells, Inc., put
the stem cell agency in a touchy situation involving the company's decision last month to reject an additional $20 million award from
the agency.( It was the first time a recipient has rejected an award.) Neither the company nor the agency would give a reason for
the rejection of the loan for a spinal injury project . However, the
award also required a $20 million match, which undoubtedly tested the company's resources.
the stem cell agency in a touchy situation involving the company's decision last month to reject an additional $20 million award from
the agency.( It was the first time a recipient has rejected an award.) Neither the company nor the agency would give a reason for
the rejection of the loan for a spinal injury project . However, the
award also required a $20 million match, which undoubtedly tested the company's resources.
The spinal injury application was
scored at 79 by agency reviewers and was routinely approved by the
board. With its withdrawal by the company, the agency, which prides
itself on funding only the best science, was left supporting research
(StemCells, Inc.'s Alzheimer's project) judged significantly inferior
by reviewers with its score of 61.
scored at 79 by agency reviewers and was routinely approved by the
board. With its withdrawal by the company, the agency, which prides
itself on funding only the best science, was left supporting research
(StemCells, Inc.'s Alzheimer's project) judged significantly inferior
by reviewers with its score of 61.
In response to a question about that
situation, CIRM's McCormack said,
situation, CIRM's McCormack said,
“Our goal is to always fund the best,
most promising science. This is not the first time that our board has
voted to fund a project that the Grants Review Group had not
recommended (this has happened in around 2% of cases) The board did
so for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that this was
the first disease team application that had a goal of moving a
promising stem cell therapy for Alzheimer's towards clinical
trials.”
The round in question, however, had another application dealing with Alzheimer's which was scored at 63,
two points higher than the one from StemCells, Inc. Reviewers also did not recommend funding that application.
two points higher than the one from StemCells, Inc. Reviewers also did not recommend funding that application.
The action last September by the
agency board came only after it publicly said the funds would not be
distributed until the StemCells, Inc., could show it could provide
the match, still another first for the agency.
agency board came only after it publicly said the funds would not be
distributed until the StemCells, Inc., could show it could provide
the match, still another first for the agency.
The award triggered a column in
the Los Angeles Times by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Michael
Hiltzik, who said in October that the
process was “redolent of cronyism.” He said a “charmed
relationship” existed among StemCells, Inc., its “powerful
friends” and the stem cell agency.
the Los Angeles Times by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Michael
Hiltzik, who said in October that the
process was “redolent of cronyism.” He said a “charmed
relationship” existed among StemCells, Inc., its “powerful
friends” and the stem cell agency.
StemCells, Inc., was founded by
Stanford researcher Irv Weissman, who was a major fundraiser for
Proposition 71, which created the stem cell agency in 2004. Klein
headed the ballot campaign, which spent more than $30 million to win
voter approval. Weissman sits on board of directors of StemCells,
Inc., and holds 124,608 shares in the firm, including 8,630 he reported this month receiving.
Stanford researcher Irv Weissman, who was a major fundraiser for
Proposition 71, which created the stem cell agency in 2004. Klein
headed the ballot campaign, which spent more than $30 million to win
voter approval. Weissman sits on board of directors of StemCells,
Inc., and holds 124,608 shares in the firm, including 8,630 he reported this month receiving.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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April 14th, 2013
Modest Approval from Long-time Stem Cell Agency Critic
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Of all California's newspapers, The
Sacramento Bee, the only daily paper in the state capital, has long
been the most critical – editorially – of the Golden State's $3
billion stem cell research agency.
Today, however, the newspaper gave a
modest nod of approval to the agency's modest efforts to clean up its
built-in conflicts of interest, which have been cited as a major flaw
by the prestigious Institute of Medicine.
modest nod of approval to the agency's modest efforts to clean up its
built-in conflicts of interest, which have been cited as a major flaw
by the prestigious Institute of Medicine.
The headline on the Bee's editorial today said,
“Stem cell agency finally addresses
potential for conflicts”
The piece said that Jonathan Thomas,
chairman of the agency, “has taken important steps in
reducing the potential for conflicts within this agency.”
chairman of the agency, “has taken important steps in
reducing the potential for conflicts within this agency.”
The editorial continued,
“He hasn't
gone as far as we would like, or that independent outside reviewers
have recommended....But he's achieved what's possible, at least for
now, and the board may empower him to go further.”
The Bee referred to action last month
in which the agency's governing board decided, among other things,
that 13 of the 15 board members linked to recipient institutions
could not vote on any grants, although they could participate in
discussion of applications. Twenty-nine persons sit on the board. In
a $700,000 report commissioned by the agency, the Institute of
Medicine recommended a fully independent board.
in which the agency's governing board decided, among other things,
that 13 of the 15 board members linked to recipient institutions
could not vote on any grants, although they could participate in
discussion of applications. Twenty-nine persons sit on the board. In
a $700,000 report commissioned by the agency, the Institute of
Medicine recommended a fully independent board.
The Sacramento newspaper said,
“We
think Thomas and the oversight board should go further and adopt the
Institute of Medicine recommendations. But that is politically
unlikely. As is now obvious, it will be up to the Legislature to
fully remove representatives of funding-eligible institutions from
being involved in decisions about grants that could come back to
them.
“Thomas, to his credit, recognizes
that his compromise may not be the perfect solution. He wants to test
out the new policy for a year, and see how it works. There's a lot
riding on the outcome. CIRM is expected to run out of funds in 2017,
and while philanthropy and foundation money could extend that for a
few years, supporters of California stem cell research clearly want
to go back to the ballot to seek additional funding. To make that
case, CIRM supporters can't afford any more scandals about insider
dealing. The next year will reveal whether it is on the right track.”
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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April 14th, 2013
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. – Video
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India.
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. After Stem Cell Therapy 1. Power and movements in the finger...
By: neurogenbsi
Continued here:
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. - Video
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April 10th, 2013
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Inclusive Body Myopathy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2 – Video
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Inclusive Body Myopathy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2
By: neurogenbsi
Continued here:
Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Inclusive Body Myopathy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2 - Video
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April 10th, 2013
Laser Therapy Switches Cocaine Addiction On, Off in Rats: Study – U.S. News & World Report
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Indian Express | Laser Therapy Switches Cocaine Addiction On, Off in Rats: Study U.S. News & World Report In this study, the researchers used genetic engineering to insert light-sensitive proteins called rhodopsins into nerve cells (neurons) in the rats' prefrontal cortex. Activating this brain region with a laser tuned to the rhodopsins turned the neurons ... Zapping away cocaine addiction with laser lightGizmag Lasers Zap Cocaine AddictionDiscovery News Laser Light Zaps Away Cocaine AddictionUCSF Today Science World Report all 47 news articles » |
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April 7th, 2013
Green Light to Genetic Engineering: The Monsanto Protection Act – Center for Research on Globalization
By Dr. Matthew Watson
U.S. News & World Report | Green Light to Genetic Engineering: The Monsanto Protection Act Center for Research on Globalization GMO foods and ingredients are toxic. They're unsafe to eat. Independent studies prove it. Monsanto and other agribusiness giants want all animal and vegetable life forms patented. They want worldwide food control. Obama's has promised GMO labeling. Why Do GMO's Need Protection?New York Times (blog) Opinion: Monsanto decision shows legislators' lazinessUConn Daily Campus |
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April 7th, 2013
Mumbai University to start courses in management, biotechnology … – Daily Bhaskar
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Mumbai University to start courses in management, biotechnology ... Daily Bhaskar Mumbai University will start courses in management, biotechnology, nanotechnology and food processing in Thane campus, which will be operational by 2014. Rs11 crore has been sanctioned for the Thane sub-centre and the state plans to build ... |
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April 7th, 2013
The 9 Levels Of Healthcare / Biotechnology And Who Should Invest – Part 1 – Seeking Alpha
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The 9 Levels Of Healthcare / Biotechnology And Who Should Invest - Part 1 Seeking Alpha The 9 Levels Of Healthcare / Biotechnology And Who Should Invest - Part 1. Apr 5 2013, 17:29 by: Brian Nichols | includes: BMRN, BMY, JNJ, NVS, PCYC, REGN. It can be very confusing to navigate the healthcare sector, more specifically those companies in ... |
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April 7th, 2013
Israeli researchers find food supplement can help fight Parkinson’s disease – Haaretz
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Haaretz | Israeli researchers find food supplement can help fight Parkinson's disease Haaretz Gil Ast of the university's Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry has discovered that the supplement, known as phosphatidylserine, improves the function of genes involved in disorders such as familial dysautonomia Parkinson's disease. |
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April 7th, 2013
Roger Ebert and Evolution – What Does the DNA Tell Us? – Huffington Post (blog)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Roger Ebert and Evolution - What Does the DNA Tell Us? Huffington Post (blog) In his original critique of a pro-ID film called eXpelled, Ebert combined an astute critique of creationist tactics with an exaggerated statement about Darwin's accomplishment and the fate of Darwinism in the days of molecular genetics and genome ... |
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April 7th, 2013