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

• Midwestern biotech sector raised $246M in first half of 2012
  Biotech firms in the Midwest raised $246 million in venture funding during the first half of this year, accounting for half of venture investment collected by health care companies in the region, according to a BioEnterprise report. Horizon Pharma, Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals and Juventas Therapeutics led the region's biotech industry in terms of venture-investment amount. MedCityNews.com (8/1)     

Health Care & Policy

• FDA grants orphan-drug status to FibroGen's IPF treatment
  FibroGen's human monoclonal antibody FG-3019, a drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, obtained orphan status from the FDA. The designation provides seven years of market exclusivity, fee waivers from the FDA and tax credits for half of the cost of clinical study, for developing a treatment for a disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people nationwide. American City Business Journals/San Francisco/BiotechSF blog (7/31)     

• ELITech gets FDA OK for MRSA/SA test
  ELITech Molecular Diagnostics has gotten FDA clearance for its ELITe MGB test for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus/Staphylococcus aureus infections. "MRSA/SA ELITe MGB utilizes a unique biomarker design for improved accuracy that results in fewer MRSA false negative and false positive results," said Pierre Debiais, president and CEO of the ELITech Group. The company said an ELITe MGB test for Clostridium difficile is awaiting FDA clearance. BeckersASC.com (7/31)     

• FDA permits Phase I study of cell therapy for spinal cord injury
  The FDA gave the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a research center, authorization to conduct an early-stage trial to assess the safety of transplanting Schwann cells for treatment of acute thoracic spinal cord injury. The study will involve eight patients. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (7/31)     

• Alimera again seeks FDA approval of diabetic eye drug Iluvien
  Alimera Sciences resubmitted Iluvien, a treatment for diabetic macular edema, for FDA approval. The drug, licensed from pSivida, is approved for DME in several EU countries. American City Business Journals/Boston/BBJ Morning Buzz blog (8/1)     

Company & Financial News

• ABL gets $102M NIH contract for vaccines and biologics
  Advanced BioScience Laboratories landed a 10-year contract worth up to $102 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Under the contract, ABL will provide preclinical development and manufacturing services for vaccines and biologics identified by the agency. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (8/1)     

• CytomX raises additional $11 million in Series B round
  CytomX Therapeutics secured an additional $11 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total raised in the round to $41 million. The firm is seeking to develop antibody therapeutics that are more potent than existing drugs that target epidermal growth factor receptors. Xconomy/San Francisco (7/31)     

Industry Deals

• Sigma to sell Axiogenesis' iPSC-derived cells
  Sigma Life Science agreed to market Axiogenesis' mouse induced pluripotent stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes for research and screening. The products will be offered as kits, ready-to-buy cells and custom services. "Axiogenesis' iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes enable long-term studies that are impossible to perform in tissue-derived samples," said Sigma's John Listello. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (7/31)     

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) DBV Technologies initiates VIPES phase IIb clinical study, the first global trial ever in desensitization of peanut-allergic children and adults Sucampo Announces Second Quarter and Six Months 2012 Financial Results and Operating Highlights Teleconference and Webcast Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc. licenses Novel Targeting agent from Medical College of Wisconsin Interested in learning more about advertising in BIO SmartBrief? Contact Meryl Harold at (202) 407-7828 or mharold@smartbrief.com.

Featured Content

Food & Agriculture

• Irish researcher: Biotech potato growers can save $550 per hectare
  The use of blight-resistant potatoes, instead of traditional varieties, will save farmers about $550 per hectare, said Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority researcher John Spink. Spink will help conduct a trial of biotech potatoes starting in the fall. Independent.ie (Ireland) (7/31)     

Industrial & Environmental

• Cellulosic, biodiesel tax credits to get extension under Senate plan
  A plan from the Senate Finance Committee includes a one-year extension of the federal tax incentives for cellulosic fuel and biodiesel. The bill would also expand the cellulosic credit to include algae-based fuels, as well as retroactively reinstate the biodiesel tax credit to Dec. 31, 2011. The committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal today. Platts (8/1)     

News from BIO

• Ship with FedEx
  FedEx is now offering member companies discounts of up to 35% off select FedEx services, both U.S. and international services. The BIO program with FedEx is one of the many cost-savings programs offered by BIO through its Business Solutions program. There is no charge for BIO member companies to participate in any of the BIO Business Solutions programs -- it is a benefit of membership. Learn more about the BIO and FedEx program.     

SmartQuote

Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain." --Friedrich Schiller, German poet, philosopher, historian and playwright