The news summaries appearing in BIO SmartBrief are based on original information from news organizations and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The information is not compiled or summarized by BIO. Questions and comments should be directed to SmartBrief at bio@smartbrief.com.

Today's Top Story

• J&J unit, Danish biotech firm sign drug development deal
  Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutica is partnering with Danish biotech firm NeuroSearch to develop and market drugs for central nervous system diseases. Under the collaboration, Neurosearch is entitled to receive $45.68 million in income and funding from Janssen during the first three years and up to $300 million in milestone fees and royalties. Forbes/Reuters (8/17)

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Health Care & Policy

• Gene mutation affects patients' response to hepatitis C drugs
  Americans of European descent are more likely to carry a genetic mutation on chromosome 19 that makes them respond better to hepatitis C drugs than blacks, according to a study funded by Schering-Plough. "We want to see a test get into the hands of clinicians so they can use that information on deciding optimal treatment," the study's senior author said. Bloomberg (8/16)

• Study: Gene defects increase risk of childhood leukemia
  British scientists said they identified three genetic mutations that appear to increase a child's risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The findings might enhance care for patients with the most common type of childhood leukemia, according to Leukaemia Research, which helped fund the study. BBC (8/16)

• Court denies higher reimbursement for Baxter hemophilia drug
  A U.S. judge turned down Baxter International's request to get higher reimbursement from Medicare for Advate, a biotech drug for hemophilia. Baxter filed the lawsuit after the CMS denied its request to get higher payments for the treatment, which is classified by Medicare as a multiple-source drug. Forbes/The Associated Press (8/14)

Company & Financial News

• Aurobindo to pay about $27.85M for Trident Life Sciences
  Aurobindo Pharma will take over fellow Indian company Trident Life Sciences for about $27.85 million to expand into the injectable-drug business. The acquisition comes amid Trident's construction of a facility for liquid injectable drugs that is expected to open in April 2011. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (8/17)

• Experts: Cleveland becoming competitive in adult stem cell field
  Researchers at the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in Cleveland have undertaken 51 clinical trials involving adult stem cells and other cell treatments since its inception in 2003. The CSCRM also has launched four stem cell startups, which together with a biopharmaceutical firm raised more than $235 million in venture capital and grant funding since 2003. Experts said these milestones, together with Cleveland's rich background in adult stem cell research, place the city on par with Boston and California. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (8/14)

• Covance delays building biotech campus in Virginia tech hub
  Covance decided to postpone for as long as two years its construction of a $145 million biotech site in Prince William County, Va., citing harsh economic conditions. The company bought the property from Eli Lilly and Co. in 2007. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (8/14)

• Swiss regulator approves Phase II study of Oxygen's Oxycyte
  Swissmedic granted approval to Oxygen Biotherapeutics to conduct midstage trials of Oxycyte, a drug that treats traumatic brain injury by improving the delivery of oxygen to damaged brain tissue. The company expects to start enrollment of the 128-patient study by September. American City Business Journals/Raleigh/Durham, N.C. (8/14)

• Gilead gets subpoena from HHS over Ranexa
  The HHS issued a subpoena to Gilead Sciences asking for documents regarding the development, marketing and sales of Ranexa, a chronic angina drug developed by the Gilead-acquired firm CV Therapeutics. A company spokeswoman did not provide further information about the subpoena. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (free registration) (8/14)

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Featured Content

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by BIO SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Engineer decodes own genome for less than $50K (NYTimes.com)

• Novartis buys stem cell technology from Opexa Therapeutics (Reuters)

• Biotech firms set up shop amid gloomy venture capital market (Mass High Tech (Boston))

• Polymer gel might prevent HIV infection in women (MIT Technology Review)

• Beckman Coulter unveils new genomic services firm (Mass High Tech (Boston))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Industrial & Environmental

• Trade groups launch campaign to boost ethanol blender pumps
  The Renewable Fuels Association, Nebraska Corn Board and other ethanol and corn associations have unveiled a campaign to push for the installation of about 5,000 ethanol blender pumps in the country over the next three years. The "Blend Your Own Ethanol" project will provide motorists with more fuel options and offer more product flexibility to owners of gasoline stations, said Randy Klein of the Nebraska Corn Board. The Grand Island Independent (Neb.) (8/15)

News from BIO

• Grant-funding opportunities
  In this tough funding climate, biotech companies must be even more diligent at looking for new sources of capital. BIO has partnered with FreeMind Group, a firm specializing in raising funds from government agencies through grants and contracts. In 2008, FreeMind Group assisted companies in winning over $300 million in grants and contracts for its clients, including small, midsize and large life sciences companies. As a BIO member, your company can take advantage of FreeMind's grant identification and application assistance at a discounted rate of 20% off upfront fees. Learn more.

SmartQuote

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." --Special Olympics motto