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BIO Announces Preliminary Program for the 2012 BIO Convention in China

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Danzig

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announces panel sessions for the 2nd annual BIO Convention in China to be held October 24-25, 2012 in Shanghai, China. The event will highlight the latest issues and trends related to doing business in China, including globalizing Traditional Chinese Medicines, trends in cancer research and presenting new models of R&D structures.

The program will feature biopharma executives from East and West sharing their insights and perspectives on issues critical for encouraging and supporting cross border deal-making," said Alan Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Emerging Companies and Business Development.

Three cant miss panels include:

Other BIO China sessions include:

In addition to panel sessions, BIO China will host keynote sessions, company presentations, partnering meetings and networking opportunities.

Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer for Merck, will provide one of two keynote addresses on October 25th. Directly following Dr. Rosenblatts keynote, Peng Wang, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Simcere will deliver his remarks. Governor Jon Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Utah, will provide the third keynote address. Additional keynote speakers will be announced at a later date.

BIO brings to China more than 15 years of experience in organizing international conferences for the biotech industry, including the BIO International Convention the global event for biotechnology. BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

For more information on the BIO Convention in China, please visit here.

About BIO

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BIO Announces Preliminary Program for the 2012 BIO Convention in China

Biotechnology Center opening pushed back

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Danzig

This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.

Updated09/04/2012 08:43 PM

The first phase of the Biotechnology Research Center will be done soon. But the opening of the facility in Syracuse will not happen for at least a few months. This is not the first time the project has been delayed. Our Iris St. Meran tells us when we can expect it to be occupied.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- This time last year, this building was just a foundation of beams. But construction crews have been working on the first phase of the Biotechnology Research Center.

Upstate Medical University Facilities and Planning Vice President Tom Pelis said, "Phase one of the project was to construct the building shell, to finish one-and-a-half floors, which includes seven laboratories, as well as administrative offices."

That is expected to be completed in a few weeks. It's a $22 million undertaking in a partnership between Upstate Medical University and SUNY ESF. After breaking ground in 2009, construction was stalled waiting for state funding.

Work resumed last spring with a projected opening of this past June. The delay is for good reason: Additional funding was received for phase two, which will have eight smaller incubator labs.

"We thought about the time people would start moving in for phase one, we would start construction for phase two, Pelis added. That made really no sense so we don't expect occupancy to occur much before the end of the year."

This has been a labor of love and Pelis says he's proud of the progress.

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Biotechnology Center opening pushed back

THERAVECTYS Raises 7.48 Million Euros, One of the Largest Funding in Private Equity in 2012

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Danzig

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

THERAVECTYS, a biotechnology company that is developing a new generation of vaccines based on lentiviral vector technology (*), announced today that it has secured 7.48million euros as of the end of H1 2012. These funds, raised exclusively from private investors, will enable THERAVECTYS to pursue the development of a new generation of vaccines, with an anti-HIV therapeutic vaccine as first priority.

For this third funding round, Guy PAILLAUD, former executive manager of PROMODES, and John PIETERS, former CEO of AMGEN Francesome of the company's historical investorshave been joined by 10 new private investors, which include BETTENCOURT family, Philippe ODDO and Richard HENNESSY.

Development of new vaccine candidates

In particular, this new amount of funds raised will enable the company to fund:

"We thank our investorsboth old and newfor the trust that they have placed in us. Thanks to their support, within the next two years we hope to be able to demonstrate in humans not only the safety but also the potential effectiveness of our anti-HIV vaccine candidate," says RenaudVAILLANT, CEO at THERAVECTYS, who adds that "this funding should also allow us to continue and even strengthen our efforts in research and development on new indications alone or in collaboration with other large pharmaceutical laboratories."

(*)Lentiviral vectors: THERAVECTYS uses lentiviral vector technology to develop a new generation of vaccines. Unlike other gene transfer vectors, lentiviral vectors have the unique ability to induce a strong, sustainable and diversified cellular immune response by endogenously stimulating dendritic cells. This breakthrough technology is expected to make it possible to prevent or effectively treat numerous diseases against which the induction of an effective cellular immune response is required: viral diseases (HIV), bacterial or parasitic infections, cancers, etc.

About THERAVECTYS (www.theravectys.com)

THERAVECTYS, a biotechnology company, has developed a new generation of vaccines based on lentiviral vector technology. Built on the results of fundamental research conducted at the Pasteur Institute, this breakthrough technology is expected to enable preventing or effectively treating many diseases in which the induction of effective cellular immune response is required. Benefitting from an exclusive worldwide license with the Pasteur Institute and from financial support from public institutions, THERAVECTYS is continuing its research and development efforts to combat other diseases. It plans to soon be developing new vaccine candidates, either alone or in collaboration with other pharmaceutical laboratories. contact@theravectys.com

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THERAVECTYS Raises 7.48 Million Euros, One of the Largest Funding in Private Equity in 2012

Research and Markets: Animal Biotechnology – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2012 Report

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Danzig

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cgq6bx/animal_biotechnolo) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Animal Biotechnology - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their offering.

This report describes and evaluates animal biotechnology and its application in veterinary medicine and pharmaceuticals as well as improvement in food production. Knowledge of animal genetics is important in the application of biotechnology to manage genetic disorders and improve animal breeding. Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics are also being applied to animal biotechnology.

Transgenic technologies are used for improving milk production and the meat in farm animals as well as for creating models of human diseases. Transgenic animals are used for the production of proteins for human medical use. Biotechnology is applied to facilitate xenotransplantation from animals to humans. Genetic engineering is done in farm animals and nuclear transfer technology has become an important and preferred method for cloning animals. There is discussion of in vitro meat production by culture.

Biotechnology has potential applications in the management of several animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, avian flu and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The most important biotechnology-based products consist of vaccines, particularly genetically engineered or DNA vaccines. Gene therapy for diseases of pet animals is a fast developing area because many of the technologies used in clinical trials humans were developed in animals and many of the diseases of cats and dogs are similar to those in humans. RNA interference technology is now being applied for research in veterinary medicine

Molecular diagnosis is assuming an important place in veterinary practice. Polymerase chain reaction and its modifications are considered to be important. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are also widely used. Newer biochip-based technologies and biosensors are also finding their way in veterinary diagnostics.

Biotechnology products are approved by the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the FDA. Regulatory issues relevant to animal biotechnology are described.

Approximately 109 companies have been identified to be involved in animal biotechnology and are profiled in the report. These are a mix of animal healthcare companies and biotechnology companies. Top companies in this area are identified and ranked. Information is given about the research activities of 11 veterinary and livestock research institutes. Important 109 collaborations in this area are shown.

Share of biotechnology-based products and services in 2011 is analyzed and the market is projected to 2021.

The text is supplemented with 34 tables and 5 figures. Selected 250 references from the literature are appended.

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Research and Markets: Animal Biotechnology - Technologies, Markets and Companies - Updated 2012 Report

Press Conference Update: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Danzig

Biotechnology Industry Organization:

A teleconference line has been established for reporters unable to attend in person. Dial-in: 800-277-3988.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling innovations transforming our world. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO India International Conference September 12 13, 2012 Mumbai, India

Livestock Biotech Summit September 19 21, 2012 Kansas City, MO

BIO Investor Forum October 9-10, 2012 San Francisco, CA

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy October 10 12, 2012 Vancouver, Canada

The BIO Convention in China October 24 25, 2012 Shanghai, China

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Press Conference Update: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

New facilities for biotechnology study at Vellayani College of Agriculture

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Danzig

The new blocks will aid further learning and experimentation for students pursing M.Sc. (Integrated) Biotechnology course at the college

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the newly built integrated biotechnology block and the microbial technology block at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, on Monday.

Apart from opening the Centre for Microbial Technology and Microbial Inoculants Production Unit, Mr. Chandy will also release the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation certificate for the pesticide residue analytical laboratory at a function on the college campus. Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan will preside over the function.

The new blocks will aid further learning and experimentation for students pursing M.Sc. (Integrated) Biotechnology course at the college. The five-year course was started in the college in 2009 as per the directions of the State government with the aim of improving the quality of biotechnology education. The course had started with 20 students in a batch and an amount of Rs.1.90 crore was provided as a one-time grant for the initiation of the course. The course is offered and coordinated by Kerala Agricultural University using a core facility with the active involvement of five institutions dealing with biotechnology, according to a press release.

Bharathidasan Varsity announces M.Phil in industrial biotechnology

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Danzig

Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, has announced an M.Phil programme.

Factoring in the rapidly evolving scenario in industrial biotechnology in the areas of regulatory infrastructure, improving standards of bio-manufacturing, increasing capabilities in food technology and development, increasing research and development collaborations with Indian and international companies, the Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, has announced an M.Phil programme in the subject from 2012-13.

The innovative course, according to professor and department head T.Thirunalasundari, will fill the gap between expectations of biotechnology industry and skills created by higher education sector, combining research, entrepreneurial skills and industrial placement experience in biotechnology companies all over the world.

Application of biotechnology in the production of industrial materials is expected to transform industrial manufacturing sector similar to the impact created by pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.

Sustainable development in the general industrial sector implies applying know how and technologies to reduce material and energy consumption, increase use of renewable and biodegradable materials, generate less pollution and waste, and produce more environmental friendly products.

Technical application of industrial biotechnology holds promise for arriving at new tools, techniques and know how for the sustainable development. Some of the new applications include gene therapy, drug designing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicines, cloning, pharma products and agriculture, Dr.Thirunalasundari explained. The curriculum has been designed by distinguished scientists and academicians, industrial experts and technologists.

The department, she said, has tie ups with research institutions and commercial industries. The programme will not only lead to assured placement in industries and create scope for pursuing higher education in India and abroad, but also enable candidates to transform into entrepreneurs if they desire.

Candidates of M.Sc. Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology and other related life science disciplines are considered eligible for the M.Phil programme of one-year duration.

Applications can be downloaded from the university website http://www.bdu.ac.in and submitted before September 14.

For more details, dial 0431 2407066 (559) or email headbt@bdu.ac.in.

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Bharathidasan Varsity announces M.Phil in industrial biotechnology

Biotechnology has potential to be medium for Sabah’s growth

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Danzig

Posted on August 31, 2012, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Biotechnology has the potential to become the medium for economic growth and generate new wealth for the state as well as increase the rakyats income, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

In this regard, he said the state government, through its Halatuju development agenda, has outlined the needs for the benefits of science and technology, especially biotechnology for development.

Towards this end, several initiatives have taken off to facilitate the rakyats participation in biotechnology focusing on knowledge, he said in his speech at a briefing on Bioeconomy in Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), here yesterday. Also present was Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

Musa, who was also state finance minister, said the initiatives included implementing various key projects such as Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP), Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) and Keningau Integrated Livestock Farming Centre.

Research on biomass policy, non-wood forest products and marine resources was also carried out to strengthen the states bioeconomy development, he said.

Musa said such efforts showed the commitment, determination and earnestness of the government via the Economic Transformation Programme, which was the catalyst for Sabahs economic progress.

I believe this will be able to create more job opportunities and change the economic scenario of the state, he said.

He said the implementation of SDCs phase two investment spearheaded by the private sector also played an active role including in bioeconomy development.

Musa was also confident that Sabah has a huge potential in attracting biotechnology industry to the state and subsequently increase the states economy to a higher level.

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Biotechnology has potential to be medium for Sabah’s growth

Hyperthermophilic endoglucanase for in planta lignocellulose conversion

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Danzig

Background:
The enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic plant biomass into fermentable sugars is a crucial step in the sustainable and environmentally friendly production of biofuels. However, a major drawback of enzymes from mesophilic sources is their suboptimal activity under established pretreatment conditions, e.g. high temperatures, extreme pH values and high salt concentrations. Enzymes from extremophiles are better adapted to these conditions and could be produced by heterologous expression in microbes, or even directly in the plant biomass.
Results:
Here we show that a cellulase gene (sso1354) isolated from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus can be expressed in plants, and that the recombinant enzyme is biologically active and exhibits the same properties as the wild type form. Since the enzyme is inactive under normal plant growth conditions, this potentially allows its expression in plants without negative effects on growth and development, and subsequent heat-inducible activation. Furthermore we demonstrate that the recombinant enzyme acts in high concentrations of ionic liquids and can therefore degrade alpha-cellulose or even complex cell wall preparations under those pretreatment conditions.
Conclusion:
The hyperthermophilic endoglucanase SSO1354 with its unique features is an excellent tool for advanced biomass conversion. Here we demonstrate its expression in planta and the possibility for post harvest activation. Moreover the enzyme is suitable for combined pretreatment and hydrolysis applications.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

One-pot bioethanol production from cellulose by co-culture of Acremonium cellulolyticus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Danzig

Background:
While the ethanol production from biomass by consolidated bioprocess (CBP) is considered to be the most ideal process, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) is the most appropriate strategy in practice. In this study, one-pot bioethanol production, including cellulase production, saccharification of cellulose, and ethanol production, was investigated for the conversion of biomass to biofuel by co-culture of two different microorganisms such as a hyper cellulase producer, Acremonium cellulolyticus C-1 and an ethanol producer Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Furthermore, the operational conditions of the one-pot process were evaluated for maximizing ethanol concentration from cellulose in a single reactor.
Results:
Ethanol production from cellulose was carried out in one-pot bioethanol production process. A. cellulolyticus C-1 and S. cerevisiae were co-cultured in a single reactor. Cellulase producing-medium supplemented with 2.5 g/l of yeast extract was used for productions of both cellulase and ethanol. Cellulase production was achieved by A. cellulolyticus C-1 using Solka-Floc (SF) as a cellulase-inducing substrate. Subsequently, ethanol was produced with addition of both 10%(v/v) of S. cerevisiae inoculum and SF at the culture time of 60 h. Dissolved oxygen levels were adjusted at higher than 20% during cellulase producing phase and at lower than 10% during ethanol producing phase. Cellulase activity remained 8--12 FPU/ml throughout the one-pot process. When 50--300 g SF/l was used in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask scale, the ethanol concentration and yield based on initial SF were as 8.7--46.3 g/l and 0.15--0.18 (g ethanol/g SF), respectively. In 3-l fermentor with 50--300 g SF/l, the ethanol concentration and yield were 9.5--35.1 g/l with their yields of 0.12--0.19 (g/g) respectively, demonstrating that the one-pot bioethanol production is a reproducible process in a scale-up bioconversion of cellulose to ethanol.
Conclusion:
A. cellulolyticus cells produce cellulase using SF. Subsequently, the produced cellulase saccharifies the SF, and then liberated reducing sugars are converted to ethanol by S. cerevisiae. These reactions were carried out in the one-pot process with two different microorganisms in a single reactor, which does require neither an addition of extraneous cellulase nor any pretreatment of cellulose. Collectively, the one-pot bioethanol production process with two different microorganisms could be an alternative strategy for a practical bioethanol production using biomass.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

Biotech Firm Matrix Genetics Receives Investment From Avista Development

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire -08/29/12)- Matrix Genetics ("Matrix"), a biotechnology company focused on producing renewable fuels and specialty chemicals derived from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) announced today that Spokane, Wash. based Avista Development, Inc. has invested in the company. Avista Development is the venture arm of Avista Corp. (AVA), an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. The investment provides Matrix with working capital needed to complete its spinout from Seattle-based Targeted Growth, an agricultural biotechnology company where the foundation of Matrix's technology was developed.

"Avista's investment is the springboard for Matrix to become an independent company with the resources to further develop our technologies that are creating a pathway to low-carbon, sustainable and renewable fuels and chemicals," said Margaret McCormick, CEO of Matrix Genetics. "Their support will enable us to add staff, expand our labs, and continue the great tradition of bioscience companies in the state of Washington."

Matrix is developing technologies to leverage the potential of cyanobacteria as a feedstock for the production of a rich diversity of valuable carbon-based chemicals. Cyanobacteria are the most abundant, diverse and robust micro-algae on Earth, using only the energy from sunlight to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into fuels and other biological chemicals. They are also relatively simple, single cell organisms; the genome (the cell's DNA) has already been mapped for several cyanobacteria species; and there is a robust set of "tools" available to modify them.

Matrix has used these tools and the immense power of biotechnology to create new and proprietary strains of cyanobacteria that can produce oil in significant quantities and in a range of specifications. Second and third generation organisms are being developed that not only surpass these oil yields, but also contain additional new traits that enhance their production characteristics and make them suitable for a range of end products including fuels, chemicals and other products.

"Avista has a long history of fostering innovation within the energy sector," said Roger Woodworth, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Avista Corp. "We appreciate the need to find alternatives to petroleum for a sustainable future, and we are excited by the progress and the promise of Matrix's approach."

As the company completes its spinout, Matrix is now focused on further developing its technology to: produce lipids (oils) for fuels and other products; develop production strains that are suitable for different growing environments, resistant to predators and harmless to the environment around them; create strains that continually produce and secrete oils, removing the need for costly harvesting; and increase the cultivation capacity to provide samples for testing with commercialization partners and prospects.

The announcement will be made today at a special event at Matrix Genetics' current lab facilities as part of the "Summer of Algae II," a national campaign sponsored by the Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, which features similar open house-style events across the country.

About Matrix GeneticsMatrix Genetics, LLC ("Matrix"), located in Seattle, Wash., is a biotechnology company focused on producing renewable fuel and specialty chemicals derived from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). The company's state-of-the-art, metabolic engineering and systems biology platform is the most cost-efficient method to customize organisms with a range of traits for these industries. More information is available at http://www.matrixgenetics.com.

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Biotech Firm Matrix Genetics Receives Investment From Avista Development

Biotechnology Has Potential To Be Medium For Sabah's Economic Growth – Musa

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

You are here : Bernama News

August 30, 2012 15:58 PM

Biotechnology Has Potential To Be Medium For Sabah's Economic Growth - Musa

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Biotechnology has the potential to become the "medium" for economic growth and generate new wealth for the state as well as increase the rakyat's income, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

In this regard, he said the state government, through its "Halatuju" development agenda, has outlined the needs for the benefits of science and technology, especially biotechnology for development.

Towards this end, several initiatives have taken off to facilitate the rakyat's participation in biotechnology focusing on knowledge, he said in his speech at a briefing on Bioeconomy in Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), here today.

Also present was Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

Musa, who is also state finance minister, said the initiatives include implementing various key projects such as Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP), Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) and Keningau Integrated Livestock Farming Centre.

-- BERNAMA

We provide (subscription-based) news coverage in our Newswire service.

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Biotechnology Has Potential To Be Medium For Sabah's Economic Growth - Musa

Merger and Acquisition Activity Within the Biotech Industry Soars to a Four-Year High

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -08/30/12)- Biotechnology stocks continue to be some of the strongest performers in the markets as favorable legislation, such as the FAST and TREAT acts, have helped boost investor optimism within the industry. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB) is up over 30 percent in 2012 -- handedly outperforming the Dow Jones industrial average year-to-date. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotech Industry and provides equity research on Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALXA) and Discovery Laboratories, Inc. (DSCO).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/ALXA

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/DSCO

The FAST and TREAT acts introduced in 2012 have helped accelerate the development, review and approval process of medicines/personalized therapies for patients suffering from serious and life-threatening diseases. According to recent data from Thomson Reuters, biotech mergers & acquisitions activity is currently at a four-year high as large pharmaceuticals are facing major patent cliffs. So far in 2012 the volume of biotech M&A has exceeded $25 billion, compared to roughly 10 billion in the same period of 2011.

"Their patents have expired, and as a result they have holes in their revenue line they are trying to fill," said Scott Lindsay, global head of mergers and acquisitions at Credit Suisse. "The other part is just shoring up the pipeline they have. So even if they don't have a major patent problem, they're all looking for growth."

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the Biotech Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.FiveStarEquities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

Alexza is a pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel, proprietary products for the acute treatment of central nervous system conditions. Alexza's technology, the Staccato system, vaporizes unformulated drug to form a condensation aerosol that, when inhaled, allows for rapid systemic drug delivery through deep lung inhalation.

Discovery Laboratories, Inc. is a specialty biotechnology company with one focus -- to create life-saving products for critical care patients with respiratory disease and improve the standard of care for pulmonary medicine. Shares of the company surged earlier this week after analysts at Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage and set a "buy" rating for the company.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

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Merger and Acquisition Activity Within the Biotech Industry Soars to a Four-Year High

Press Conference: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO):

About BIO

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO India International Conference September 12 13, 2012 Mumbai, India

Livestock Biotech Summit September 19 21, 2012 Kansas City, MO

BIO Investor Forum October 9 10, 2012 San Francisco, CA

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy October 10 12, 2012 Vancouver, Canada

The BIO Convention in China October 24 25, 2012 Shanghai, China

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Press Conference: Companies to Display Visible Progress in Meeting Advanced Biofuels Goals

Small cap round-up: Angel Biotechnology, Glanbia, MBL Group

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

LONDON (ShareCast) - Angel Biotechnology (Berlin: A3G.BE - news) has signed an agreement with arGentis Pharmaceuticals that could see it manufacture the firm's ARG201 drug, a treatment for the life-threatening autoimmune disease, systemic sclerosis. Angel's stock rose 6.6% in morning trading.

Glanbia (Irish: GL9.IR - news) , a nutritional solutions and cheese maker, has announced plans to enter a joint venture to incorporate the business and assets of Dairy Ingredients Ireland. The business is the largest dairy ingredients processor in Ireland (Xetra: A0Q8L3 - news) , assembling a milk pool of 1.6bn litres and processing it into around 180,000 tonnes of ingredients, largely for export. The group also reported first half results on Wednesday showing pre-tax profits up 24% on the prior year. Glanbia's shares were up 4% at 11:28.

MBL Group (Berlin: BWYA.BE - news) , an audio and visual entertainment distributor, appears to be clawing its way back to health after losing its most important customer, Morrisons, last year. In its full year results to the end of March, revenues dropped massively, from 195.3m to 28.1m. Revenue from continuing operations dropped from 20m to 17.7 while the loss before tax came in at 2.1m (from discontinued operations this figure was 8.8m). Group loss per share was 40.8p. Nevertheless, MBL is free from debt and has cash balances of 4.0m and a headcount down 75%. This was enough to boost the stock 8% in morning trading.

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Small cap round-up: Angel Biotechnology, Glanbia, MBL Group

Liquidia Technologies Appoints Dr. Benjamin Yerxa as Chief Scientific Officer

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Danzig

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Liquidia Technologies, a privately held biotechnology company developing particle-based vaccines and therapeutics, today announced it has named Benjamin Yerxa, Ph.D. as the companys Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Yerxa will be responsible for research and development and the overall scientific direction of the company, including a focus on scientific collaborations.

Dr. Yerxa joins Liquidia from Clearside Biomedical, an early stage ophthalmic startup, where he recently assisted the company in securing a Series A financing. Prior to Clearside, Dr. Yerxa was the Executive Vice President and Chief, Research & Development of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, a top ranked publicly traded biotech company recently acquired by Merck & Co., Inc. During his time at Inspire, Dr. Yerxa helped the company build and commercialize a portfolio of innovative new products and provided critical support through multiple rounds of financing, including the companys initial public offering (IPO).

We are very pleased to welcome Ben to the Liquidia team and strongly believe his entrepreneurial spirit and scientific expertise and vision will play an important role in helping us realize the full potential of our PRINT technology, said Neal Fowler, Chief Executive Officer at Liquidia. Bens scientific and corporate accomplishments exemplify Liquidias passion to bring novel products to market that have the potential to transform patients lives.

Throughout his 20-year career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Dr. Yerxa has been involved with the discovery and development of several investigational new drugs (INDs), phase 3 clinical programs, new drug applications (NDAs) and drug approvals. His experience spans a variety of therapeutic areas including ophthalmology, pulmonary, cardiovascular and HIV. Dr. Yerxa has more than 50 U.S. patents to his name, led a variety of licensing deals including technology transfers and manufacturing agreements and has built several R&D and corporate functions from inception.

Dr. Yerxa has been the recipient of several awards including the Southeastern Region American Chemical Society Industrial Innovation Award and the Triangle Business Journal's "40 under 40" award, recognizing his contributions in business and leadership. Dr. Yerxa serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Sharefish.

ABOUT LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES

Liquidia Technologies is a privately held biotechnology company located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Liquidia was founded in 2004 on the discoveries of Professor Joseph DeSimone and colleagues at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and continues to maintain a powerful collaboration with UNC that enhances the company's ability to develop new PRINT particle based applications. By leveraging precise fabrication techniques of the semiconductor industry, Liquidia has the ability to rapidly design and manufacture precisely engineered particles of virtually any size, shape, or composition using the PRINT platform, the companys proprietary particle engineering and manufacturing technology. In addition to the development of its own products, Liquidia licenses its cGMP capable PRINT technology to support proprietary programs advanced by collaborators. For more information, please go to http://www.liquidia.com.

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Liquidia Technologies Appoints Dr. Benjamin Yerxa as Chief Scientific Officer

Puma Biotechnology to Present at Stifel Nicolaus 2012 Healthcare Conference

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (PBYI), a development stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that Alan H. Auerbach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Founder of Puma, will present an overview of the Company at 11:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 5, at the Stifel Nicolaus 2012 Healthcare Conference in Boston.

A live webcast will be available on the Companys website at http://www.pumabiotechnology.com. The presentation will be archived on the website and available for 30 days.

About Puma Biotechnology

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company that acquires and develops innovative products for the treatment of various forms of cancer. The Company focuses on in-licensing drug candidates that are undergoing or have already completed initial clinical testing for the treatment of cancer and then seeks to further develop those drug candidates for commercial use. The Company is initially focused on the development of PB272 (oral neratinib), a potent irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer.

Further information about Puma Biotechnology can be found at http://www.pumabiotechnology.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, the risk factors disclosed in the periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Excerpt from:
Puma Biotechnology to Present at Stifel Nicolaus 2012 Healthcare Conference

Research and Markets: Biotechnology Biotech Finances

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Danzig

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/w886vm/biotechnology_biot) has announced the addition of the "Biotechnology Biotech Finances" subscription to their offering.

The premier European weekly newsletter dedicated to all the financial aspects Biotechnology Biotech Finances has more than 22,000 weekly readers worldwide who use it as their invaluable first point of reference because it:

- Provides up-to-date, pertinent information delivered by experts, investigators and journalists who talk directly to the people who matter;

- Offers efficient networking with professionals through our search engine;

- Helps identify and target potential investors and partners;

- Facilitates exclusive business opportunities, collaboration offers, recruitment, finding investors, acquiring licensing rights, finding equipment and premises, all of which is reported directly by industry leaders in the interviews featured in the newsletter.

Why is Biotech Finances different?

Biotech Finances does not recycle news stories that have already been published elsewhere. A team of specialists actually talk to key players in the field, such as CEOs of leading companies, politicians and regulators. As a result, you'll find news in Biotech Finances that you won't find elsewhere.

In addition, Biotech Finances' tables of financial transactions in the biotechnology field provide early notification of key M&A activity in the sector. Ultimately, Biotech Finances provides the information your business needs to succeed in the dynamic field of biotechnology.

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Research and Markets: Biotechnology Biotech Finances

Sugarcane bagasse pretreatment using three imidazolium-based ionic liquids; mass balances and enzyme kinetics

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Danzig

Background:
Effective pretreatment is key to achieving high enzymatic saccharification efficiency in processing lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars, biofuels and value-added products. Ionic liquids (ILs), still relatively new class of solvents, are attractive for biomass pretreatment because some demonstrate the rare ability to dissolve all components of lignocellulosic biomass including highly ordered (crystalline) cellulose. In the present study, three ILs, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim]Cl), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim]OAc) are used to dissolve/pretreat and fractionate sugarcane bagasse. In these IL-based pretreatments the biomass is completely or partially dissolved in ILs at temperatures greater than 130[DEGREE SIGN]C and then precipitated by the addition of an antisolvent to the IL biomass mixture. For the first time mass balances of IL-based pretreatments are reported. Such mass balances, along with kinetics data, can be used in process modelling and design.
Results:
Lignin removals of 10% mass of lignin in bagasse with [C4mim]Cl, 50% mass with [C2mim]Cl and 60% mass with [C2mim]OAc, are achieved by limiting the amount of water added as antisolvent to 0.5 water:IL mass ratio thus minimising lignin precipitation. Enzyme saccharification (24 h, 15FPU) yields (% cellulose mass in starting bagasse) from the recovered solids rank as: [C2mim]OAc(83%)>>[C2mim]Cl(53%) = [C4mim]Cl(53%). Composition of [C2mim]OAc-treated solids such as low lignin, low acetyl group content and preservation of arabinosyl groups are characteristic of aqueous alkali pretreatments while those of chloride IL-treated solids resemble aqueous acid pretreatments. All ILs are fully recovered after use (100% mass as determined by ion chromatography).
Conclusions:
In all three ILs regulated addition of water as an antisolvent effected a polysaccharide enriched precipitate since some of the lignin remained dissolved in the aqueous IL solution. Of the three IL studied [C2mim]OAc gave the best saccharification yield, material recovery and delignification. The effects of [C2mim]OAc pretreatment resemble those of aqueous alkali pretreatments while those of [C2mim]Cl and [C4mim]Cl resemble aqueous acid pretreatments. The use of imidazolium IL solvents with shorter alkyl chains results in accelerated dissolution, pretreatment and degradation.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

Biotech Industry Merger and Acquisition Activity at a Four-Year High

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Danzig

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -08/27/12)- Biotechnology stocks continue to be some of the strongest performers in the markets as favorable legislation, such as the FAST and TREAT acts, have helped boost investor optimism within the industry. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (IBB) is up over 30 percent in 2012 -- handedly outperforming the Dow Jones industrial average year-to-date. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotech Industry and provides equity research on Complete Genomics, Inc. (GNOM) and Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SVNT).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/GNOM

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/SVNT

The FAST and TREAT acts introduced in 2012 have helped accelerate the development, review and approval process of medicines/personalized therapies for patients suffering from serious and life-threatening diseases. According to recent data from Thomas Reuters, biotech mergers & acquisitions activity is currently at a four-year high as large pharmaceuticals are facing major patent cliffs. So far in 2012 the volume of biotech M&A has exceeded $25 billion, compared to roughly 10 billion in the same period of 2011.

As the world's first company dedicated to large-scale whole human genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis provided as a service, Complete Genomics frees researchers from purchasing and operating sequencing instruments and computing infrastructures so they can focus on making biological discoveries. For the second quarter of 2012 the company reported revenue of $8.7 million, compared to $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Savient Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase) for the treatment of chronic gout in adult patients refractory to conventional therapy. The company recently reported net sales for KRYSTEXXA were $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2012, a 30% increase over the first quarter of 2012.

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Biotech Industry Merger and Acquisition Activity at a Four-Year High

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