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Thursday, June 30, 2005

[ biotech news ] Millennium Announces New CEO

Millennium Announces New CEO

-- Head of Novartis North American Oncology Business to drive
Millennium toward long-term growth and near-term profitability --

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM - News) today
announced that Deborah Dunsire, M.D., an accomplished pharmaceutical
executive and head of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation's North
American Oncology Operations, has been named as the new president
and chief executive officer of Millennium. Dr. Dunsire will also be
elected to the Company's Board of Directors. She plans to assume her
duties by August 1, 2005. Dr. Dunsire will succeed Mr. Mark Levin,
co-founder and CEO since the Company's inception. Mr. Kenneth Weg, a
member of the Board of Directors since 2001, will become the new non-
executive chairman. Mr. Levin will remain an active member of the
Board.

"Deborah has an impressive track record in building and motivating
multi- functional organizations to deliver significant revenues and
sustainable growth, two key goals for Millennium," said Mr.
Weg. "Her depth of experience and proven leadership in the
pharmaceutical industry and repeated success in commercializing
products will enable Millennium to optimize the potential of its
novel therapies and capitalize on the Company's strengths in
innovative drug discovery and development."

Dr. Dunsire has nearly 20 years of experience in the commercial,
operational, clinical and scientific aspects of a world-leading
pharmaceutical business. She led the Novartis U.S. Oncology Business
in a competitive market, achieving more than 25 percent compounded
annual growth rate over the last eight years. While at Novartis, Dr.
Dunsire also played a critical role in the broad development and
successful launch of a number of products including Zometa, Femara
and Gleevec, and evaluated and implemented key business development
initiatives. She was also responsible for managing the merger and
significant growth of the combined Sandoz Pharmaceuticals and Ciba-
Geigy oncology businesses.

"Millennium is poised for continued growth and I'm excited to be
joining at such a pivotal point in the Company's development," said
Dr. Dunsire. "Widely recognized for scientific leadership,
entrepreneurial culture and visionary management, Millennium can
command a strong commercial presence and leverage its robust product
pipeline. I look forward to building on the Company's rich legacy
and track record in bringing breakthrough medicines to patients,
while fulfilling its goal of non-GAAP profitability in 2006 and long-
term growth."

Dr. Dunsire has served on the U.S. pharmaceutical executive
committee at Novartis, was a designated member of the corporate
executive group, and a member of the operating committee charged
with defining corporate strategy, managing operations and assessing
executive performance.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Dunsire was a clinical researcher
responsible for the implementation of global phase II and phase III
studies across multiple therapeutic areas such as immunology,
endocrinology, neurology, dermatology, oncology and transplantation.
She has also been a practicing physician.

"Deborah shares an unwavering commitment to making a difference in
patients' lives, the Company's mission since day one," said Mark
Levin. "She is dedicated to building a leading biopharmaceutical
company and has the commercial and business experience to make it
happen for our stockholders, employees, partners and patients."

Acknowledging the exceptional contributions of Mark Levin, Mr. Weg
stated, "Mark has been one of the great visionaries in the biotech
industry and his passion for the business, amazing energy and
ability to motivate people at Millennium has been no less than
remarkable. I would like to express the Board's sincerest
appreciation for Mark's dedication to the Company over the past 12
years, his commitment to patients to deliver breakthrough medicines,
and his promise to build value for shareholders."

Mr. Weg has had more than 30 years of experience in the
pharmaceutical industry including significant leadership roles at
Merck & Co., Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS). At BMS he
was elected to the Board of Directors in 1995 and became vice
chairman in 1999. He also served as president, Worldwide Medicines
Group; president, Pharmaceuticals Group; and president of
Pharmaceutical Operations. Currently, Ken is chairman of Clearview
Projects, a consulting firm which provides partnering and
transactional services to biopharmaceutical companies and academic
institutions.

Conference Call Information

In conjunction with this news release, Millennium will host a live
webcast of its conference call today, Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at
8:00 AM ET. This webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors
section of the Company's website, http://www.millennium.com.
Following the webcast, an archived version of the call will be
available at the same address for 30 days.

About Millennium

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical
company based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE® (bortezomib) for
Injection, a novel cancer product, co-promotes INTEGRILIN®
(eptifibatide) Injection, a market-leading cardiovascular product,
and has a robust clinical development pipeline of product
candidates. The Company's research, development and
commercialization activities are focused in three therapeutic areas:
oncology, cardiovascular, and inflammation. By applying its
knowledge of the human genome, its understanding of disease
mechanisms, and its industrialized drug discovery platform,
Millennium is seeking to develop breakthrough products.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including
statements about the Company's growth, discovery and development of
products and financial results. Various important risks may cause
the Company's actual results to differ materially from the results
indicated by these forward- looking statements, including: adverse
results in its drug discovery and clinical development programs;
failure to obtain patent protection for its discoveries; commercial
limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties;
the Company's dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop
and commercialize products and services based on its work;
difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market
products and services resulting from its development efforts;
product withdrawals; competitive factors; difficulties or delays in
manufacturing the Company's products; government and third party
reimbursement rates; the commercial success of VELCADE and
INTEGRILIN; achieving revenue consistent with internal forecasts;
and the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and
development and to expand commercialization activities. For a
further list and description of the risks and uncertainties the
Company faces, see the reports it has filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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[ biotech news ] Organon Launches Global Research and Biotechnology Initiative

Organon Launches Global Research and Biotechnology Initiative

- Organon's Biotechnology Day Attracts Over 100 Boston-area
Biotechnology and Licensing Executives -

Organon, the human healthcare business of Akzo Nobel (Nasdaq: AKZOY -
News), announced that the Company is launching a global
biotechnology discovery research initiative with a Boston seminar
and open house to discuss R&D strategy and collaborative
opportunities.

"Organon is expanding upon its current biotechnology programs with a
global discovery research initiative aimed at diversifying our
therapeutic areas of focus and bringing the next generation of
biopharmaceutical products to market," stated David Nicholson,
Executive Vice President Global Research at Organon. "Organon
fosters innovation and entrepreneurship with its unique approach to
discovery research by giving our scientists the ability to explore
interesting targets and compounds without being restricted to a
specific therapeutic area of focus. When successful, our global
pharmaceutical operations will provide the infrastructure and know-
how needed to rapidly find an appropriate partner or move promising
new programs towards the market."

Organon's strategy in biotechnology is to develop and market
biological entities that represent new therapeutic approaches within
areas of interest including immunology, oncology and osteoporosis.
Organon will leverage its proprietary monoclonal antibody technology
and is committed to partnering with academia for early research, and
with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for product
development programs and for access to the best discovery
technologies. The new Cambridge research center, which officially
opened on June 29th, will be the hub of its interface with
innovative institutes and companies in the USA.

Organon's Biotechnology Day, that has attracted over 100 local
biotechnology and licensing executives, will include discussions of
Organon's research and partnering strategy by members of Organon's
senior management including Toon Wilderbeek, President of Organon
International; David Nicholson, and Wiebe Olijve Ph.D., Vice
President Research at Organon. Additional talks will focus on doing
business with Organon from Mark Gessler, CEO and President of Gene
Logic Inc.; Aaron Hsueh, Ph.D., Professor at Stanford University;
and Arthur Sands, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and President of Lexicon Genetics.

Organon and Biotechnology

Organon and its sister businesses in Diosynth Biotechnology and
Intervet have a strong heritage in biotechnology. Organon's
capabilities cover all aspects of drug discovery and development,
from early research through clinical development and large scale
manufacturing. The companies are actively involved in developing
recombinant fertility treatments (Organon), recombinant vaccines
(Intervet) and recombinant protein API's (Diosynth Biotechnology).
Organon's lead product today is the biologic Follistim® (USA),
Puregon® (Europe) and biotech now represents over 20% of revenues.
Organon is also one of the largest global contract manufacturers of
Active Biopharmaceutical Ingredients through Diosynth Biotechnology.

Research at Organon

Organon has a strong commitment to research and development with
approximately 19% of revenues budgeted annually to R&D. The Company
maintains discovery research facilities in Oss, The Netherlands;
Newhouse, Scotland; and Cambridge, Mass., USA. Research programs
encompass both biotherapeutic and small molecule discovery with over
20% of budgets committed to external collaborations. Current
discovery collaborations involve over 50 biotech and academic groups
worldwide. The new Organon Research Center in Cambridge will
discover novel biologicals and will be the hub of interface with
innovative institutes and biotechnology companies in the USA.

About Organon

Organon -- with shared head offices in Roseland, NJ, USA and Oss,
The Netherlands -- creates, manufactures and markets prescription
medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through
a combination of independent growth and business partnerships,
Organon strives to remain or become one of the leading
pharmaceutical companies in each of its core therapeutic fields:
reproductive medicine, psychiatry and anesthesia. Organon also
actively pursues the discovery of both chemical and novel biological
entities. In so doing, Organon seeks to exploit and further develop
its basic discovery and production expertise in biotechnology.
Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of which more than
60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human health care
business unit of Akzo Nobel. Additional information about Organon is
available through its corporate website, http://www.organon.com.

For more information
Contact for Organon:
Monique Mols Kari Lampka
Associate Director, Media Relations MacDougall Biomedical
Communications
+31-(0)412-665440 +1-508-647-0209
klampka@macbiocom.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Source: Organon

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[ biotech news ] Biotechnology Companies Have to Insure against Failures in the Research & Develo

Biotechnology Companies Have to Insure against Failures in the
Research & Development Stages

Both biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are feeling the
pressure created by the immense hype around the biotechnology
industry. Its extraordinary popularity creates unreasonable
expectations, wherein even common molecule failure in the research
and development (R&D) stages result in loss of both investor
confidence and funds for further research.

Such unrealistic expectations can be especially crippling to new
companies. The biotechnology sector will suffer more than
pharmaceuticals, as it does not have many established companies that
can absorb the burden of failed ventures.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an
overview of the Cost Benefit Analysis of Research and Development of
Top 10 Biotechnology Companies, then send an e-mail to Melina
Gonzalez, Corporate Communications, at melina.gonzalez@frost.com,
with the following information: your full name, company name, title,
telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of
the above information, an overview will be sent to you through e-
mail.

As a drug moves through more advanced stages of R&D, the losses
associated with failure will tend to naturally increase. To counter
this situation, biotech companies could enter into licensing deals
and implement risk management solutions.

The industry trends point toward an increase in such deals and
partnerships between companies. By sharing the risks and profits,
they can eliminate or decrease the jeopardy associated with
failures.

"The partnerships between big pharma and biotech companies are
likely to be the trendsetters in the industry," says Frost &
Sullivan Research Analyst Barath Shankar S. "With the technical
expertise of biotechnology companies and the marketing skills of big
pharmas, the collaborations are expected to be very successful."

Such strategic moves and plans have seen the top ten biotechnology
companies in the United States have 186 products in R&D, and of
these, nearly 20 percent are in phase III of development. These
products are likely to have substantial impact on market growth in
the next two to three years.

The biotechnology industry is optimistic about market growth despite
the recent spate of drug recalls, which wiped out billion's of
dollars of market capital. Since the fundamentals of product
development are sound, the companies are confident of overcoming
these setbacks and accelerating growth.

This positive attitude is a huge advantage in the biotechnology
industry, since it thrives on risk taking. From 1994 to 2005, the
top ten companies have returned an exceptional figure of close to 27
percent on stock price appreciation. In the next year, this number
is expected to reach 24-25 percent, despite a few setbacks.

Established companies such as Amgen, Chiron, Genentech, and Genzyme
are expected to continue leading the market. Such high returns from
biotechnology stocks are likely to sustain investor interest in the
industry and maintain focus on new R&D projects.

"Biogen IDEC, which has delivered the highest returns of 43.5
percent from 1994 to 2005, has a risk rating of 'moderate/high',"
says Barath Shankar. "Similarly, Gilead which has returned 29.5
percent, much above the industry average, has the highest risk
rating of 'very risky'."

Cost Benefit Analysis of Research and Development of Top 10
Biotechnology Companies is part of the pharmaceuticals and clinical
diagnostics subscription and examines the risk-return and cost-
benefit profiles of research and development of the top ten
biotechnology companies in the United States. The study incorporates
a model to evaluate and provide an outlook for each of these
companies. It also analyzes the possible blockbuster products in the
product pipelines. Analyst interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been
partnering with clients to support the development of innovative
strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise
integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and
corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities.
Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global
1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by
providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique
global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets,
technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information,
visit http://www.frost.com

Cost Benefit Analysis of Research and Development of Top 10
Biotechnology Companies

F246

Keywords in this release: biotech companies, cost benefit analysis,
research and development, R&D, United States, Amgen, Chiron,
Genentech, Genzyme, Biogen IDEC, research, information, market,
trends, technology, service, forecast, market share

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Governor signs executive order declaring N.M. a biotechnology leader - 2005-06-24

Governor signs executive order declaring N.M. a biotechnology leader - 2005-06-24

Governor signs executive order declaring N.M. a biotechnology leader

NMBW Staff

Governor Bill Richardson has signed a proclamation declaring New Mexico a world leader in biotechnology research and development, and in the development of related industry clusters.

It directs that all cabinet departments, agencies, public schools, and public hospitals of the state of New Mexico provide assistance when requested by the New Mexico Department of Economic Development's Office of Science and Technology and acknowledges that the NMEDD has developed a statewide plan for biotechnology research and development, a release from the NMEDD says.

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[ biotech news ] Thomas H. McLain Appointed to the Biotechnology Industry Organization's Board of

Thomas H. McLain Appointed to the Biotechnology Industry
Organization's Board of Directors

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: NABI - News) announced today that
its chairman, chief executive officer and president, Thomas H.
McLain, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), effective June 21, 2005.
Mr. McLain is one of eleven new Board members, who will each serve
two-year terms.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations
in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved
in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural,
industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

"Biotechnology's impact on human health has never been greater; its
discoveries are beginning to realize their great promise. I am
honored to accept this Board position, as our industry continues to
serve as a leading force in the advancement of 21st century
medicine," said Mr. McLain.

Mr. McLain joined Nabi Biopharmaceuticals in 1998 and today serves
as chairman, chief executive officer and president of the company.
From 1988 to 1998, Mr. McLain was employed by Bausch & Lomb,
Incorporated. He earned his B.A. in Economics at College of the Holy
Cross and an M.B.A. from the William E. Simon Graduate School of
Business at the University of Rochester. He is a member of the Board
of Directors of Eastman Chemical Company and serves as the Chairman
of BioFlorida.

"Tom McLain is a widely recognized leader in the emerging life
sciences arena both nationally and internationally," said Florida
Governor Jeb Bush. "As Florida is increasingly positioned at the
epicenter of this industry, we are fortunate to have someone of
Tom's caliber contributing on a national scale. I applaud BIO's
decision to recognize Tom's commitment to and noted achievements in
biotechnology, and look forward to his ongoing leadership to escort
the industry to new heights."

"Tom McLain's knowledge, experience and vision make him an ideal
addition to our Board of Directors," said BIO President James
Greenwood. "In particular, we value his expertise in vaccines and
his role in the emergence of biotech in Florida."

About Nabi Biopharmaceuticals

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals leverages its experience and knowledge in
powering the immune system to develop and market products that fight
serious medical conditions. We are poised to capture large,
commercial opportunities in our four core business areas: Gram-
positive bacterial infections, hepatitis, kidney disease
(nephrology), and nicotine addiction. We have three products on the
market today: PhosLo® (calcium acetate), Nabi-HB® [Hepatitis B
Immune Globulin (Human)], and Aloprim(TM) [Allopurinol sodium (for
injection)] and a number of products in various stages of clinical
and preclinical development. The company filed its Marketing
Authorization Application in Europe for its product candidate,
StaphVAX® [Staphylococcus aureus Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine],
in December 2004. The application was accepted for review in January
2005. StaphVAX is currently in a confirmatory Phase III clinical
trial in the U.S. StaphVAX is designed to prevent the most dangerous
and prevalent strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infections.
S. aureus bacteria are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections
and are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. The
company's other products in development include Altastaph(TM)
[Staphylococcus aureus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], an
antibody for prevention and treatment of S. aureus infections, NicVAX
(TM) [Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine], a vaccine to treat nicotine
addiction, and Civacir(TM) [Hepatitis C Immune Globulin (Human)], an
antibody for preventing hepatitis C virus re-infection in liver
transplant patients. For additional information on Nabi
Biopharmaceuticals, please visit our website at:
http://www.nabi.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect
the company's current expectations regarding future events. Any such
forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
and involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may
differ significantly from those in the forward-looking statements as
a result of any number of factors, including, but not limited to,
risks relating to the possibility that our confirmatory Phase III
clinical trial for StaphVAX or our plans to commercialize StaphVAX
in the European Union and United States may not be successful; the
possibility that we may not realize the value of our acquisition of
PhosLo; the company's ability to raise additional capital on
acceptable terms; the company's dependence upon third parties to
manufacture its products; the company's ability to utilize the full
capacity of its manufacturing facility; the impact on sales of Nabi-
HB from patient treatment protocols and the number of liver
transplants performed in HBV-positive patients; reliance on a small
number of customers; the future sales growth prospects for the
company's biopharmaceutical products; and the company's ability to
obtain regulatory approval for its products in the United States or
abroad or to successfully develop, manufacture and market its
products. These factors are more fully discussed in the company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25,
2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Source: Nabi Biopharmaceuticals

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[ biotech news ] Cougar Biotechnology Licenses Rights to Seocalcitol from LEO Pharma

Cougar Biotechnology Licenses Rights to Seocalcitol from LEO Pharma

Cougar Biotechnology, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company,
today announced that it has licensed the worldwide, exclusive rights
to seocalcitol (EB1089) from LEO Pharma A/S (Ballerup, Denmark).
Seocalcitol (EB1089) is a synthetic analog of vitamin D (1-alpha,25
(OH2)D3) that has been clinically tested in a number of different
cancer indications.

The results of in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that vitamin
D and analogs of vitamin D have anticancer activity in a wide range
of tumor types. The results of preclinical studies have shown that
seocalcitol (EB1089) is 50-200 times more potent than 1-alpha,25(OH2)
D3 with respect to regulation of cell growth and differentiation in
in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Importantly, because seocalcitol
has shown reduced calcemic activity compared to 1-alpha,25(OH2)D3,
this increase in antitumor activity is seen without inducing
unacceptable levels of hypercalcemia.

"Vitamin D analogs represent an emerging class of potentially
promising drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer," said Dr. Arie
Belldegrun, MD, FACS, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Cougar Biotechnology. "Based on the preclinical and clinical studies
that have been completed with seocalcitol (EB1089), we believe that
the drug may represent a potentially novel treatment option for
patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer."

"We are pleased to be able to complete this licensing agreement with
LEO Pharma," said Alan H. Auerbach, chief executive officer and
president of Cougar Biotechnology. "Seocalcitol (EB1089) is the
third drug that Cougar has in-licensed since the company was founded
approximately two years ago. We view it as an important addition to
Cougar's pipeline and as an intriguing new potential treatment for
prostate cancer."

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, LEO Pharma received an
upfront payment and will receive milestone payments as seocalcitol
progresses through clinical development as well as a royalty on
sales. Detailed financial terms were not disclosed.

About Cougar Biotechnology

Cougar Biotechnology, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based private
biotechnology company established to in-license and develop clinical
stage drugs, with a specific focus on the field of oncology.
Cougar's oncology portfolio includes CB7630, which has completed
Phase I clinical trials in prostate cancer, and CB3304, which is
currently being tested in a Phase I trial in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Further information about Cougar Biotechnology can be found at
www.cougarbiotechnology.com.

About LEO Pharma A/S

LEO Pharma A/S is a research-based, fully integrated pharmaceutical
company among the world's leading players in topical dermatology and
parenteral treatment of thrombotic disorders. The foundation-owned
company is headquartered in Denmark, markets its products in 90
countries and employs 3,300 people in 40 countries. Further
information about LEO Pharma can be found at www.leo-pharma.com.

Contact Cougar Biotechnology, Inc. Alan H. Auerbach, 310-443-4209

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Mayo Clinic research site joining biotech corridor

Mayo Clinic research site joining biotech corridor

Mayo Clinic research site joining biotech corridor

Kate Nolan
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 30, 2005 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - Brainiacs in Scottsdale, rejoice.

An 110,000-square-foot research building, 70 percent of it laboratories focused on curing cancer, opens with an event at 8:30 a.m. today at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, 13400 E. Shea Blvd.

It is the second of three research structures planned for the site. advertisement

The three-story, $29 million Collaborative Research Building represents a new doorway along Shea Boulevard's growing biotech corridor and a step toward more robust collaboration within the Valley's developing biotech network.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), and Arizona State University are already in various stages of settling into lab space at the new site.

Top research facilities were crucial in attracting those potential collaborators as well as recruiting Mayo researchers, said Dr. Laurence Miller, director of Mayo's cancer center, who oversaw the scientific end of the project.

Its research benches ultimately will fill huge open spaces on two floors where entire teams can work together, unlike outdated labs where space is carved out of smaller rooms.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2005

[ biotech news ] Molecular Profiling Institute, Inc. Acquires NanoBiomics, Inc.

Molecular Profiling Institute, Inc. Acquires NanoBiomics, Inc.

Developing a platform to commercialize novel genomics-based products

06-29-2005

Phoenix, AZ, June 29, 2005The Molecular Profiling Institute, Inc.
(Molecular Profiling) today announced the acquisition of the assets
of NanoBiomics, Inc. NanoBiomics is an early-stage company whose
mission is to develop and commercialize genomic-based diagnostics
utilizing nanoscale-processing technologies created at the Applied
Nanobioscience Center at ASU. Nanobiomics was recently recognized as
the "Startup Biotechnology Company of the Year" from the Arizona
BioIndustry Association at the Arizona Bio Expo 2005.
NanoBiomics was formed by the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) and Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE) with the
intention to commercialize technology from both organizations.
Molecular Profiling, a collaboration between TGen and the
International Genomics Consortium (IGC), is a specialty reference
laboratory and a leader in using genetic signatures to help tailor
medical therapy. Molecular Profiling is the first for-profit spin-
off venture for TGen and IGC.

"The acquisition provides Molecular Profiling with a platform for
commercializing novel, genomic-based diagnostic products in the
future," said Richard Love, acting president of NanoBiomics and
Managing Director of TGen Accelerators. "Molecular Profiling is
currently driving physician adoption of such tests in the reference
lab setting. As these tests are accepted into the practice of
medicine, NanoBiomics' technologies will help enable lower cost
diagnostic products to be produced and commercialized more broadly."

Molecular Profiling will work closely with Dr. Frederic Zenhausern,
Director of the Applied Nanobioscience Center at ASU's Biodesign
Institute. "Dr. Zenhausern is a pioneer in using nanoscale
processing technologies to perform complex biological processes on
cartridges the size of credit cards," said Dr. Robert Penny, CEO of
Molecular Profiling. "These technologies will ultimately drive down
the cost of genomic-based diagnostic testing and this transactions
will provide a commercial focus for the collaboration to enhance the
collaboration between TGen, IGC and ASU at Molecular Profiling."

According to Zenhausern, "The goal of developing the technologies
behind NanoBiomics is to be able to one day provide better
diagnostic platforms for physicians to better diagnose and treat
complex diseases."

The acquisition brings together the diagnostic platform developed by
ASU, the diverse and extensive database of DNA signatures and
scientific leadership from TGen, and the reference laboratory
expertise and market access offered by Molecular Profiling.

"The complementary technologies that Molecular Profiling, TGen and
NanoBiomics bring to bear create a stronger molecular diagnostics
products and services company with a clear commercialization path,"
said Peter Slate, the CEO of AzTE. "This is a case where the sum is
worth substantially more than the individual parts."

The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

# # #

About the Molecular Profiling Institute Inc.
The Molecular Profiling Institute, Inc. (Molecular Profiling) is a
specialty reference laboratory that helps cancer patients worldwide
by applying the discoveries of the Human Genome Project to
personalized medicine. Molecular Profiling provides cutting-edge
testing facilities, products, and resources for genomic and
proteomic profiling and treatment of cancers. Molecular Profiling
has strategic relationships and alliances with the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the International Genomics
Consortium (IGC), IBM and AmeriPath.

About NanoBiomics, Inc.
NanoBiomics' mission is to improve healthcare by developing
molecular diagnostics that increase the physician's ability to
accurately determine the medical diagnosis and medical prognosis of
the patient. NanoBiomics targets the rapidly growing field of
molecular diagnostics. The company's primary focus is the
commercialization of molecular diagnostics based primarily upon gene
expression signature sets that offer substantial predictive or
prognostic value for disease outcome. The value gained from these
diagnostics will be to increase the survival rates of patients by
tailoring the therapeutic regiment to the genomic profile of a
disease.

About Arizona Technology Enterprises
Arizona Technology Enterprises at Arizona State University works
with university inventors and industry to transform scientific
innovations into products, services and other technology-based
ventures. Arizona Technology Enterprises mines university research,
negotiates transactions, and markets inventions based on university
research. AzTE activities benefit the public by contributing to new
product creation and new economic opportunities. For more
information, visit www.azte.com.

Media Contacts:
TGen, Galen Perry (602) 343-8423
TGen, Amy Erickson (602) 343-8522
AzTE, Charlie Lewis (480) 965-8059

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[ biotech news ] Mayo Clinic Collaborative Research Building Opens on Scottsdale Campus

Mayo Clinic Collaborative Research Building Opens on Scottsdale
Campus

Collaboration with TGen brings hope for cancer cures

06-29-2005

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A major milestone in the advancement of cancer
research for residents of Arizona and beyond will be realized later
this week with the dedication of a new biomedical scientific
facility that joins Mayo Clinic and the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen) in a unique strategic partnership. The
partners' combined technological, academic, research and clinical
expertise will help bring innovative research findings directly to
the bedside of patients.
The physical manifestation of this ambitious research collaboration
is the new Mayo Clinic Collaborative Research Building (MCCRB), a
110,000 square-foot facility that will officially open on Thursday,
June 30, on the Scottsdale campus of Mayo Clinic. The $25 million
facility was funded by Scottsdale developer Tom Hornaday of Hornaday
Development. The building is the first of its kind for Mayo Clinic
in that it brings multiple strategic partners under one roof
dedicated to scientific discovery and therapeutics to ease the
burden of disease for the people of Arizona and around the world.

Ground was broken in February 2004 for the MCCRB, which is located
south of the main clinic facility and directly north of the S.C.
Johnson Research Building. The collaboration represents a broadening
of the scope of research between the Mayo Clinic and TGen extending
beyond it's initial focus on melanoma. Tenants of the building thus
far include:

Mayo Clinic research business offices
Mayo Clinic researchers, including investigational labs for
hematologic malignancies, multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer
TGen's Cancer Drug Development Laboratory (CDDL) and the TGen
subsidiary, TGen Drug Development (TD2)
Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D., is president and scientific director of
TGen. Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen executive vice president, is also
director for TGen's Translational Research Division and the director
of TD2. In addition to leading TGen's clinical enterprise, Von
Hoff's team is involved in translating basic genetic, molecular and
biochemical observations to create therapies for patients with
pancreatic cancer.

The CDDL provides a centralized set of resources for investigators
interested in the recent explosion in molecular medicine and
genomics-based diagnostics and treatment methods. The combination of
world-class researchers and the latest technologies create a highly
collaborative multidisciplinary research environment. The goal is to
develop innovative preclinical research products based on an
individual's disease and associated molecular profiles that are
brought to bear on cancer as quickly as possible.

Mayo Clinic, headed by Dr. Victor F. Trastek, chair of the Board of
Governors, has research investigators who work closely with
clinicians to translate discoveries into therapies for patients.
Specifically, their work supports the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, one
of only 38 U.S. medical centers named a National Cancer Institute
(NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mayo's clinical and
research experts join forces to address the complex needs of
oncology patients.

The principal collaborative partners who will be housed at the MCCRB
partners share a passion for cooperation among institutions and
individuals to bring advances to cancer research. But they also
share something more -- compelling personal stories reflective of
their commitment to cancer research.

Developer Hornaday and his wife, Ruth Ann, lost their daughter,
Kristi, 26, to melanoma. Hornaday's mother died at age 52 of breast
cancer. "My hope, my prayer and my belief is that the research
conducted in this building will result in cures so others will not
experience these kinds of untimely losses," notes Hornaday.

Speakers at the opening will include Trastek, Trent, Von Hoff and
Hornaday, as well as Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross and Dr. Laurence
Miller, deputy director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. Both Trent
and Von Hoff share Hornaday's passion for finding a cure. They
experienced the loss of a close friend and mentor when founding
Arizona Cancer Center director, Dr. Sydney Salmon, passed away in
2002.

Trastek is a thoracic surgeon who has witnessed more than his share
of cancer-related diseases. At one time in his practice he chaired a
committee of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons whose charge was a
high-profile public campaign to encourage smoking cessation.

"Pursuing joint research strategies and building strong partnerships
with researchers at TGen helps advance Mayo Clinic's mission of
integrating research and education with clinical medicine to provide
optimal health care for our patients and patients everywhere," said
Trastek.

"The TGen-Mayo Clinic collaboration signifies a milestone, both in
terms of Arizona's leadership in bringing the best that biomedicine
has to offer to patients nationally and internationally and the
potential that research results between these two institutions will
have toward defeating cancer," said Sen. John McCain.

For Trent, it's the extension of a research vision that began with
TGen's formation in 2002.

"The collaboration signifies hope for those patients battling
cancer. All of us in this partnership understand their urgency, and
together we are committed to moving swiftly toward solutions that
will make a difference in our patients lives," said Trent.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a charitable, not-for-profit organization with
locations in Arizona, Minnesota and Florida. For more than a
century, Mayo has been an international leader in patient care,
health sciences research and medical education. Since opening in
Scottsdale in 1987, Mayo has evolved into an integrated, multi-
campus system that includes the clinic, the Samuel C. Johnson
Research Building and the Mayo Clinic Collaborative Research Center
in Scottsdale, and Mayo Clinic Hospital in northeast Phoenix.

About TGen
The mission of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human
health. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field
employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project
and applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and
therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other
complex diseases. TGen is focused on personalized medicine and plans
to accomplish its goals through robust and disease-focused research
programs and its state-of-the-art bioinformatics and computational
biology facilities.

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Tuesday, June 28, 2005

[ biotech news ] Research and Markets: Introducing a 29-Question Survey of More than 600 Life Sci

Research and Markets: Introducing a 29-Question Survey of More than
600 Life Scientists in North America

http://www.arizonabiotech.com/

Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c19899) has announced the
addition of Information Technology in the Life Sciences: An
Examination of Genomics Researchers to their offering.

The bottleneck in many labs is data integration and analysis, and
poor data integration often leads to reduced productivity. Because
scientists are increasingly compiling data from multiple sources and
instrument platforms that were never intended to be compatible,
instrumentation suppliers and IT vendors are challenged to provide
solutions that integrate this data. These companies are also faced
with the challenges of disseminating this data to other institutions
as well as improving user interfaces to accommodate scientists with
little IT background. These IT challenges provide many market
opportunities. Instrument companies are developing new applications,
and independent software vendors are creating software that keeps up
with increased demands for better throughput and compatibility.
Finally, IT vendors are venturing into new markets. All of these
companies must keep up with the demands and needs of life scientists
in order to remain competitive.

Based on a 29-question survey of more than 600 life scientists in
North America, Information Technology in the Life Sciences: An
Examination of Genomics Researchers will help instrumentation
suppliers and IT vendors understand how academic and industrial
scientists use IT tools from start to finish in their genomics
experiments. It explores both researchers' use of, and satisfaction
with, various types of software and hardware. Additionally, the
report will assist companies in identifying future opportunities as
well as provide them with information that can be used to expand
their internal capacity by forming strategic alliances and
partnerships.

The major objectives of this report are as follows:

-- Measure the current usage patterns for the IT systems used in
genomics research.

-- Ascertain differences between researchers in the academic and
industrial market segments in their usage of genomics hardware and
software.

-- Evaluate levels of satisfaction with components of IT systems for
genomics research.

-- Determine future opportunities regarding high performance
computing, collaborative tools and storage area networks.

A preview of key findings derived from just a few of the survey
questions:

-- Applied Biosystems is the most frequently cited supplier of
fragment analysis/genotyping systems and real-time PCR instruments
used to generate genomics data. (Question 6)

-- Regardless of the instrument used to generate genomics data, more
than two-thirds of respondents analyze their data using software
embedded on it. (Question 7)

-- More than half of the scientists surveyed (59%) obtain software
used to analyze/integrate their data through a commercial third
party. (Question 9)

-- According to respondents, Dell and Apple are the leading
suppliers of desktop computer/workstation hardware used to study
genomics data. (Question 16)

-- Roughly one-third of respondents believe high performance
(distributed/grid/clusters) computing will be highly useful (a score
of 6 or 7 on a 7-point scale where 7=very useful) in their research
within the next 12 to 24 months. (Question 20)

-- Most respondents perceive IBM to be the best qualified provider
of collaborative software at their institutions. (Question 25)

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[ biotech news ] Teva and Active Biotech Announce the Submission of an IND to the FDA

Teva and Active Biotech Announce the Submission of an IND to the FDA
for Laquinimod, an Oral Product for the Treatment of Relapsing MS

JERUSALEM & LUND, Sweden
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) and Active
Biotech AB (Stockholm: ACTI.ST) announced today the submission of an
investigational new drug application (IND) to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to initiate a clinical trial in the U.S. with
laquinimod to assess drug-drug interaction. Based on the results of
this study and of the ongoing phase IIb study in Europe (see below),
the phase III clinical program to confirm the efficacy and safety of
laquinimod in relapsing forms of MS, is planned to start in 2006.

Laquinimod is a novel orally administered immunomodulatory
substance, developed by Active Biotech and recently licensed to
Teva.

"I am pleased to report on this significant milestone," said Israel
Makov, President and CEO of Teva. "This IND filing is an important
step towards the initiation of pivotal studies with laquinimod
which, along with Teva's development of an oral form of Copaxone(R),
enhance the likelihood that Teva will be the first to market an oral
treatment. This further demonstrates our commitment to developing
new and improved therapies for multiple sclerosis patients in order
to help treat their disease and improve their quality of life".

"We are very pleased to see how Teva's development program is
diligently progressing towards starting phase III studies in the
U.S. and Europe," said Sven Andreasson, President & CEO of Active
Biotech. "Laquinimod has a profile that meets the need for a safe
and efficacious oral MS drug suitable for long term treatment."

Laquinimod has the potential to be the first orally-administered
disease modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis, both as a single
agent therapy and in combination with Copaxone(R), Teva's well-
established and leading product on the market today.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled multi center phase IIb clinical
study is currently on-going in several European countries, in which
the effects of laquinimod, administered orally, once-daily, at dose
levels of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/day, are compared to those of placebo over
9 months of treatment.

About laquinimod

Laquinimod is a novel immunomodulatory substance developed as an
orally bio-available disease modifying treatment of MS. Laquinimod
is the lead candidate drug identified from Active Biotech's SAIK
research program, in which the safety/activity ratio has been
optimized.

In a completed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-
center phase II trial, 209 patients received either laquinimod, at
dose levels of 0.1 or 0.3mg/day, or placebo, orally, once daily for
24 weeks. Laquinimod, at the dose of 0.3mg/day, reduced disease
activity (as measured by MRI) by 44%. In a sub-group of patients
with active MRI brain lesions prior to treatment initiation, the
same dose of laquinimod reduced disease activity by 52%. In this
study, laquinimod demonstrated a very favorable safety profile,
suitable for long-term treatment (Neurology 2005; vol 64, No. 6 p
987).

About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disease of the
central nervous system. It is the most common neurological disease
causing disability in young adults. It has been described as an
autoimmune disease because it is one of many diseases in which the
immune system attacks healthy areas of the body as if they were
foreign. In MS, these attacks are aimed at the central nervous
system. The central nervous system is made up of nerves covered by a
substance called myelin, which is similar to insulation protecting
electrical wires because it surrounds and protects nerve fibers.
When myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the nerves
cannot send electrical impulses to and from the brain, causing the
onset of MS symptoms.

About Teva:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is
among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies and among the largest
generic pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company develops,
manufactures and markets generic and innovative human
pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Close to 90%
of Teva's sales are in North America and Europe. Teva's innovative
R&D focuses on developing novel drugs for diseases of the central
nervous system.

About Active Biotech

Active Biotech AB is a biotechnology company focusing on research
and development of pharmaceuticals. Active Biotech has a strong R&D
portfolio with pipeline products focused on autoimmune/inflammatory
diseases and cancer. Its most advanced projects are laquinimod, an
orally administered small molecule with unique immunomodulatory
properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as
ANYARA for use in cancer immunotherapy with the primary indication
non-small cell lung cancer. Further key projects in clinical
development comprise the three orally administered compounds TASQ
for prostate cancer 57-57 for SLE and RhuDex(R) for RA.

Safe Harbor Statement under the U. S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking
statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of
management. Such statements are based on management's current
beliefs and expectations and involve a number of known and unknown
risks and uncertainties that could cause Teva's future results,
performance or achievements to differ significantly from the
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include Teva's ability to
successfully develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical
products, the introduction of competitive generic products, the
impact of competition from brand-name companies that sell or license
their own generic products (so called "authorized generics") or
successfully extend the exclusivity period of their branded
products, the effects of competition on Copaxone(R) sales, Teva's
ability to rapidly integrate the operations of acquired businesses,
including its acquisition of Sicor Inc., regulatory changes that may
prevent Teva from exploiting exclusivity periods, potential
liability for sales of generic products prior to completion of
appellate litigation, including that relating to Neurontin, the
impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and pending legislation
that could affect the pharmaceutical industry, the difficulty of
predicting U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines
Association and other regulatory authority approvals, the regulatory
environment and changes in the health policies and structure of
various countries, Teva's ability to successfully identify,
consummate and integrate acquisitions, exposure to product liability
claims, dependence on patent and other protections for innovative
products, significant operations outside the United States that may
be adversely affected by terrorism or major hostilities,
fluctuations in currency, exchange and interest rates, operating
results and other factors that are discussed in Teva's Annual Report
on Form 20-F and its other filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation
to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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[ biotech news ] Rosetta Genomics Identifies Hundreds of Novel Human microRNAs, Study Published i

Rosetta Genomics Identifies Hundreds of Novel Human microRNAs, Study
Published in Nature Genetics Shows

- Novel approach identifies 89 novel new human microRNAs, nearly
doubling the number of human microRNAs sequenced to date, and
predicts number exceeds 800.
- First report of large number of primate specific microRNA,
postulated to play an important role in differentiation and
evolution.

REHOVOT, Israel, In a study published online this week and to be
published as a cover story in the July issue of Nature Genetics,
Rosetta Genomics' scientists report identification of hundreds of
human microRNA genes, including the first report of primate specific
microRNAs. Using a novel methodology, the researchers successfully
cloned and sequenced 89 human microRNAs, nearly doubling the number
sequenced in man to date.
MicroRNAs are a recently discovered class of tiny regulatory genes,
comprised in the 98% of the genome that does not encode proteins,
which until recently were considered 'Junk DNA'. Numerous recent
studies have shown microRNA genes, far from being 'junk', are in
fact of central importance, regulating at least 30% of all proteins,
and involved in a wide range of diseases, including diabetes,
obesity, viral diseases, and various types of cancer.

"The finding of large numbers of primate specific microRNAs is
exciting because it supports the notion that microRNAs may indeed
play an important role in the evolution of complexity of higher
organisms," said Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel prize laureate 2004, and
Chairman of Rosetta Genomics' Scientific Advisory Board. "We believe
that these genes may serve as an important basis for next generation
diagnostics and therapeutics."

"We are extremely pleased to report our success in nearly doubling
the number of human microRNAs sequenced to date, results which we
believe establish Rosetta Genomics as a leading player in discovery
of microRNA genes," said Isaac Bentwich MD, founder and chairman of
Rosetta Genomics and lead investigator of the study. "We are now
aggressively pursuing partnerships for development of diagnostics
and therapeutics based on this huge group of novel microRNAs."

About microRNAs

MicroRNAs are a recently discovered group of non-protein-coding
regulatory genes, shown to be involved in a wide range of diseases
in addition to neuronal and stem-cell differentiation. MicroRNAs
currently are an intensely researched area, and are believed
potentially to be the basis for a new class of therapeutic and
diagnostic products.

About Rosetta Genomics

Rosetta Genomics is a privately held genomics company, pioneering
the discovery and commercialization of microRNAs - a novel group of
regulatory genes, shown to be involved in a wide range of diseases
including diabetes, obesity and various types of cancer. Rosetta has
discovered and filed patents for the majority of microRNAs found to
date, and is in the process of developing diagnostics and
therapeutics based on these microRNAs, by both internal development
and collaborative partnerships.

Rachel Spielman Sharon Kaspi
Ruder Finn Rosetta Genomics Media Relations
Tel +1 212 583 2714 Tel +1 201 255 5900
Mobile +1 646 872 2985 Mobile +1 201 255 5914
spielmanr@ruderfinn.com sharon@rosettagenomics.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Source: Rosetta Genomics

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[ biotech news ] Galapagos and Celera Genomics Sign Gene Function Analysis Agreement

Galapagos and Celera Genomics Sign Gene Function Analysis Agreement

ROCKVILLE, M.D. and MECHELEN, Belgium, June 20, 2005
Galapagos today announced that it has entered into a services
agreement with Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), an Applera
Corporation business. Under the agreement, Galapagos' services
division Galadeno will provide technology and adenoviral reagents
enabling Celera to analyze gene function in human cells and validate
potential drug targets. Galadeno will receive payments related to
its services and technology.Under the terms of the agreement,
Galadeno will construct recombinant adenoviruses harboring genes
selected by Celera. These custom-made viruses will be used to
introduce the genes into various cell types to evaluate their
function within biological pathways.

"We are delighted that Celera has decided to take advantage of
Galapagos' adenoviral technology. This service agreement will allow
Celera to utilize Galapagos' technology platform to perform cellular
assays and target validation studies in a very beneficial way," says
Onno van de Stolpe, CEO of Galapagos. "Our adenoviral platforms have
proven to deliver functionally validated drug targets for our
partners, opening significant opportunities for continued
collaboration. We are pleased that Celera has joined the growing
number of companies that choose Galapagos technology to study gene
function in human cells."

About Celera Genomics and Applera Corporation Applera Corporation
consists of two operating groups. The Celera Genomics Group is
engaged principally in the discovery and development of targeted
therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Celera Genomics is leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and
genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to
discover and develop small molecule therapeutics. It is also seeking
to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug
programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders.
The Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI) serves the life science
industry and research community by developing and marketing
instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services.
Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA),
small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries,
develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing.
Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported
sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2004. Celera Diagnostics, a
50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics,
is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of
diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation,
including reports and other information filed by the company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at
www.applera.com, or by telephoning +1.800.762.6923. Information
about Celera Genomics is available at www.celera.com.

About Galapagos

Galapagos is a publicly traded, genomics-based drug discovery
company (Euronext Brussels, GLPG; Euronext Amsterdam, GLPGA) that
has successfully discovered and validated novel targets in the bone
and joint diseases - osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid
arthritis, as well as in asthma and Alzheimer's disease. Proprietary
targets and compounds resulting from these programs are used for
Galapagos' internal drug discovery programs, combined with selected
out-licensing and partnering of projects during development.
Galadeno, Galapagos' services unit, provides reagents and functional
screens to leading pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical
companies for rapid identification and validation of novel drug
targets. Galapagos currently employs 69 people, including 17 PhDs,
and occupies facilities in Mechelen, Belgium, and Leiden, The
Netherlands. Partners include Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene,
GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex and Wyeth.

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Monday, June 27, 2005

Biomarker Alliance 'TM' to be sponsored by MDS Pharma Services

Biomarker Alliance 'TM' to be sponsored by MDS Pharma Services

MDS Pharma Services Sponsors The Biomarker Alliance'TM'

Biomarker Alliance integrates world-class biomarker service providers Caprion Pharmaceuticals, Gentris Corporation, Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology and MDS Pharma Services

MDS Pharma Services, a leading provider of innovative drug discovery and development solutions, has spearheaded the formation of The Biomarker Alliance(TM) (www.biomarkeralliance.com) serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The Biomarker Alliance, which will design and execute a wide range of biomarker discovery and development programs, is made up of the world-class biomarker service providers Caprion Pharmaceuticals, Gentris Corporation, Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology and MDS Pharma Services.

"The Biomarker Alliance is on the crest of that wave with its collective insight, expertise and seamless program management. These capabilities enable the Biomarker Alliance to significantly reduce drug discovery and development timelines while eliminating the need to invest in multiple technology platforms and infrastructure," says Dr. J. Fred Pritchard, vice president, Drug Development Programs, MDS Pharma Services.

"The economics and uncertainties of drug development demand that successful companies quickly demonstrate the safety and efficacy of their compounds," says Lloyd M. Segal, president and CEO, Caprion Pharmaceuticals. "Using biomarkers to make key development decisions early can reduce development timelines and increase the likelihood of regulatory and clinical success, thereby maximizing market positioning."

"MDS Pharma Services' sponsorship of The Biomarker Alliance is quite logical since we have a long and successful biomarker history, and we have the world's largest array of validated biomarker assays," says Pritchard.

The Biomarker Alliance is unique. It is the only organization providing single-point access to proteomics, pharmacogenomics, imaging, assay development and clinical testing together in one, easy-to-access package designed to maximize the probability of success of any drug candidate.

"This combination of services is ideal since it represents the type of work in which our clients are already expressing interest," says Michael Murphy, president and CEO, Gentris Corporation.

"The members of the Alliance have seen the future and the potential. They know what it will take to identify and apply biomarkers in a scientific manner that expresses the safety and efficacy of new compounds that could potentially change the way medicine is practiced today," says Murphy.

In addition to the seamless program-management services offered by MDS Pharma Services, the Alliance's clients' have access to:

Caprion Pharmaceuticals, Montreal, Canada (www.caprion.com) --- the pharmaceutical industry partner of choice for protein biomarker discovery;

Gentris Corporation, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (www.gentris.com) --- the leading global provider of applied clinical pharmacogenomic services and products;

Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology, Boston, Mass. (www.massgeneralimaging.org) --- a pioneering leader in imaging biomarkers and the use of imaging technology in clinical trials; and

MDS Pharma Services, King of Prussia, Pa. (www.mdsps.com) --- the premier provider of biomarker discovery, development and implementation.

"Biomarkers are becoming more critical in the process of discovering and developing new drugs and in determining additional uses for established drugs. Biomarkers are ushering in the age of personalized medicine," notes Pritchard.

(1) CONTRACT PHARMA May 2005

About MDS Pharma Services

MDS Pharma Services offers a full spectrum of resources to meet the drug discovery and development needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With numerous facilities strategically located around the world, the company applies advanced scientific and technological expertise to each stage of the drug discovery and development process - Early Stage: lead optimization, pre-IND research, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical development, early clinical research (bioequivalence, Phases I-IIa) and bioanalysis; and Late Stage: global clinical development (Phases IIb-IV) and central lab. For more information, visit MDS Pharma Services' Web site at www.mdsps.com.

MDS Pharma Services is an integral part of MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 9,000 highly skilled people in 27 countries. MDS Inc. provides a diverse range of superior products and services to increase its customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. MDS Inc. is a global, values-driven health and life sciences company, recognized for its reliability and collaborative relationships as it helps create better outcomes in the treatment of disease. For more information, visit MDS Inc.'s Web site at www.mdsintl.com.

About Caprion Pharmaceuticals

Caprion is a leading proteomics-based drug discovery company applying CellCarta(R) to discover and develop innovative products for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Caprion has established therapeutic antibody discovery partnerships with Abbott Laboratories in Lung Cancer, and Biogen IDEC (NASDAQ: BIIB) in Colon Cancer, and pharmaco-proteomic discovery collaborations with Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK), and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Caprion's partners also include IDEXX Laboratories (NASDAQ: IDXX) and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (NYSE:JNJ). Caprion's therapeutic antibodies for the prevention of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) resulting from E. coli infection are currently in Phase I clinical trials. For more information, visit Caprion's Web site at www.caprion.com.

About Gentris Corporation

Gentris Corporation is a leading global provider of applied clinical pharmacogenomic services and diagnostic product solutions. As pioneers in the field of pharmacogenomics, Gentris helps pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations effectively integrate pharmacogenomics into their drug development programs to deliver safer, more effective compounds to the market sooner. Gentris is developing diagnostic test kits and validated reference controls that will bring the promise of personalized medicine to physicians and patients, which will enhance patient management, improve patients' response to therapy and revolutionize medicine through pharmacogenomics. For more information, visit Gentris's Web site at www.gentris.com.

About Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology

The Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Radiology is an academic, non-profit organization and a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. A true pioneer in the realm of medical imaging, Mass General relies on its renowned subspecialty expertise and clinical trials experience to offer a vast array of imaging services, including: project management, protocol and study planning, development of image acquisition and analysis guidelines, and qualitative & quantitative surrogate endpoint image analysis for Phase I-IV trials. The MGH Center for Biomarkers in Imaging draws on MGH Radiology's extensive experience in working with industry, academia and the government and is dedicated to the identification, characterization and validation of image-related biomarkers. For more information, visit MGH's Web site at www.massgeneralimaging.org or www.biomarkers.org.

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Sunday, June 26, 2005

Young European Biotech Netwok (YEBN) Web Portal :: Young European Biotech Network

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Statement By Jim Greenwood President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Statement By Jim Greenwood President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

PHILADELPHIA, June 21
The following is a statement by Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization:

"BIO expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Philadelphia officer Paris Williams, a 19-year veteran, who lost his life in the line of duty today.

"There can be no excuse for violent actions during what are billed as peaceful demonstrations and the expression of first amendment rights.

"This tragedy mars the excellent work the city and community have done to welcome the 18,000 guests who have come from around the world."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Biotechnology Industry Organization

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[ biotech news ] Genome study of beneficial microbe may help boost plant health

Genome study of beneficial microbe may help boost plant health

ROCKVILLE, Md - In a study expected to greatly benefit crop plants,
scientists have deciphered the genome of a root- and seed-dwelling
bacterium that protects plants from diseases.

The research provides clues to better explain how the helpful
microbe, Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5, naturally safeguards roots
and seeds from infection by harmful microbes that cause plant
diseases. The genome paper will be published in Nature Biotechnology
and was scheduled to be posted online on June 26.

"The genome sequence has helped us identify new chemical pathways
that the microbe apparently uses to create what are known
as 'secondary metabolites' possibly including new antibiotic
compounds," says Ian Paulsen. He led the sequencing at The Institute
for Genomic Research (TIGR), Rockville, Md., and is the study's
first author.

The use of naturally-occurring, beneficial microbes such as P.
fluorescens to control plant pathogens is called "biological
control." That method is gaining momentum as a way to grow healthy
plants without using synthetic fungicides. In all, about three dozen
beneficial microbes are currently used as an environmentally-
friendly way to fight plant diseases.

Joyce E. Loper, senior author of the genome paper and an expert on
P. fluorescens Pf-5, predicts that the new genomic data will help
scientists more quickly develop new ways to boost the effectiveness
of beneficial microbes in fighting plant diseases.

"This genomic sequence reveals previously unknown traits of P.
fluorescens that increase its potential for biological control,"
says Loper. She is a plant pathologist with USDA's Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) and is based at Oregon State University,
Corvallis. The P. fluorescens genome was sequenced at TIGR and
analyzed by scientists there and at ARS and Oregon State University,
with contributions by researchers at Rutgers, Washington State
University and the University of Arizona. The project was funded by
a grant from the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and
Extension Service.

The article in Nature Biotechnology presents the first complete
genome sequence of a biological control agent for combating plant
diseases.

P. fluorescens Pf-5 was discovered two decades ago by Charles R.
Howell, a plant pathologist with the ARS in Texas, who showed that
the microbe suppressed two major cotton diseases. Since then, plant
pathologists around the world have used this strain as a laboratory
model to study beneficial microbes.

Paulsen says the P. fluorescens project also pioneered a new
methodology. This novel approach relies on the analysis of repeated
regions of the DNA sequence to help identify segments of the genome
that appear to have been transferred from other microbes or viruses,
known as phages, that infect bacteria.

Says Paulsen: "We found exciting evidence that P. fluorescens may
have acquired new clusters of genes, called genomic islands, by
means of lateral transfer from phages or other microbes."

###
The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) is a not-for-profit
research institute based in Rockville, Maryland. TIGR, which
sequenced the first complete genome of a free-living organism in
1995, has been at the forefront of the genomic revolution since the
institute was founded in 1992. TIGR conducts research involving the
structural, functional, and comparative analysis of genomes and gene
products in viruses, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.

As the principal in-house research arm of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts
research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems
of high national priority and provides information access and
dissemination to ensure high-quality, safe food and other
agricultural products, assess the nutritional needs of Americans,
sustain a competitive agricultural economy, enhance the natural
resource base and the environment, and provide economic
opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a
whole.

Oregon State University is known nationally and internationally for
the quality of its academic programs, its research excellence and
its service and outreach. OSU is one of only two universities in the
nation that are designated land grant, sea grant, space grant and
sun grant institutions.

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Saturday, June 25, 2005

[ biotech news ] BIO 2006

BIO 2006

http://www.bio.org/events/2006/

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[ biotech news ] Biotech Question of the Week: Got Space?

Biotech Question of the Week: Got Space?

Postcard Campaign Seeking to Find Lab Space for Startups
By MARION WEBB

San Diego Business Journal Staff

Hundreds of San Diego-based biotechnologies will receive postcards
this week with an unusual proposition: Got space?

The Burnham Life Sciences Group, a specialty arm of San Diego-based
Burnham Real Estate, will drop some 700 postcards in the mail
encouraging local companies to lease access or temporary laboratory
space to fledgling companies having a tough time getting started.

"The space requirements for young biotech companies are challenging
in that they need facilities that can accommodate their research,
but generally at a size that is too small to be listed," said Brent
Jacobs, senior vice president of Burnham's Life Sciences Group. "Of
the 15 million square feet of lab space in San Diego County, nearly
all of the available space is 10,000 square feet or larger far
more than the 1,000 to 3,000 square feet of wet lab space typically
required by startup companies."

Greg Bisconti, a partner with Burnham's Life Sciences Group, said
few landlords are willing to sign month-to-month, six-month or 12-
month leases that startups on tight budgets and risky scientific
projects can afford to sign.

http://www.sdbj.com/article.asp?aID=`162971.2745761.1160926.8983597.86472502.120&aID2=293

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[ biotech news ] Asian `biotech hotbeds' must develop USP: E&Y report

Asian `biotech hotbeds' must develop USP: E&Y report
P.T. Jyothi Datta

Mumbai , June 25

IT may still puzzle analysts why biotechnology is trusted when used
in medicine, but viewed with suspicion when used in agriculture. But
be it medicine or agriculture, Japan, China and India are the
emerging "biotech hotbeds," says an Ernst and Young (E&Y) report,
released recently at Bio 2005 in Philadelphia.

Nevertheless, "each country has to have its USP (unique selling
proposition), otherwise me-too products will be developed. And the
USP has to be matched with the bio-diversity of each country," says
E&Y's Mr Utkarsh Palnitkar, who presented the report at Bio 2005.

India's strengths are in processing, fermentation, informatics and
its vaccine manufacturing capacity. By 2010, the country will be the
largest manufacturer of vaccines in the world, Mr Palniktar told
Business Line. Also, in terms of the neglected diseases seen in
Africa, South-America and India it makes sense to research
diseases in India, he said.

China's strengths are in bio-processing, and Korea has made strides
in stem-cell research.

In Korea, the legislation has moved in tandem with therapeutic
cloning and, as a result, companies such as LG and Samsung have
become large filers of patents, said Mr Palnitkar.

Singapore has the regulatory environment and infrastructure in
place, but it has to look outwards for people to man these, he said.

The support of the governments in India, Singapore, China and Korea,
in terms of infrastructure and policy, has given an impetus to the
biotech segment in these regions, said Mr Palnitkar, Health Sciences
leader with E&Y in India.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/26/stories/2005062601390500.htm

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UCLA awarded more than $6 million for biodefense and infectious
disease research

UCLA has been awarded more than $6 million over four years by the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to support
research for countering threats from bioterr

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