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

• Biotech leaders urge Md. legislators to boost tax credits
  Biotech executives, anticipating discretionary funds from the $787 billion economic stimulus, called on Maryland lawmakers to double the amount of tax incentives for startups. The request comes after the executives realized that the state will not increase the $6 million slated for the biotech tax-credit program in the fiscal 2010 budget. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (2/17)

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Health Care in Transition

• Stimulus bill enacted with Obama's signature
  President Barack Obama signed into law a $787 billion economic-stimulus bill that allocates at least $20 billion for health information technology and $10 billion for research programs under the NIH, including $1 billion for cancer research. The package also includes more than $1 billion for comparative-effectiveness research and about $1 billion for clinical and community-based prevention services. Modern Healthcare (free registration) (2/17)

• Commentary: Policy changes would help biotech sector
  The biotech industry requires vital changes in government policies instead of a bailout, writes Stephanie Marrus, a life sciences management consultant. The government could help the sector by choosing a respected FDA leader and refraining from drug-price controls, Marrus writes. The Scientist online (free registration) (2/17)

• Exit of key official signals HHS secretary has been chosen
  HHS Chief of Staff Mark Childress is expected to step down from his post, signaling that the Obama administration might have decided on a new leader for the agency. The timing of Childress' exit, along with other factors including a canceled meeting between Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Kansas lawmakers, seem to indicate that Sebelius is the top contender for HHS chief, according to the RPM Report. Also being considered for the post are Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress. TheRPMReport.com (2/14)

• Other News

• Comparative-research provision in stimulus plan stirs debate
  National Public Radio (2/16)

Health Care & Policy

• Scientists link fetal stem cells to tumor development in Israeli boy
  A teenage boy with ataxia telangiectasia -- a rare genetic disease marked by the degeneration of certain parts of the brain -- developed tumors in his brain and spinal cord after receiving injections of fetal stem cells, Israeli researchers reported. Using stem cells derived from different fetuses that were combined with growth-triggering compounds might have resulted in the abnormal formation of more than one cell, the lead scientist said. Yahoo!/The Associated Press (2/17)

• Study: Genetic test might help predict colorectal cancer metastasis
  U.S. researchers found that a genetic test that looks for the guanylyl cyclase 2 C protein -- a biomarker found in lymph nodes linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer recurrence -- can spot hidden tumors that were missed by biopsies. The findings show that the test could help improve patient survival by allowing doctors to assess the progression of the disease, the scientists said. Yahoo!/Reuters (2/17)

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Company & Financial News

• AstraZeneca, Cellartis extend partnership for stem cell technology
  AstraZeneca extended its two-year deal with biotech firm Cellartis to develop safety-screening systems based on liver and heart muscle cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. "If we can successfully and reliably create a consistent supply of differentiated embryonic stem cells, we will be able to more accurately detect side effects for new drugs," an AstraZeneca official said. PharmaTimes (U.K.) (2/17)

• GSK pays $10M to Synta during development of cancer drug
  GlaxoSmithKline paid Synta Pharmaceuticals $10 million related to their development of elesclomol, an experimental treatment that is being tested for late-stage melanoma and prostate cancer. The payment comes after GSK enrolled patients for a Phase III study of the drug, which triggers apoptosis to inhibit cancer. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (free registration) (2/17)

• Pittsburgh business incubator invests $13.2M in startups
  The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse committed $13.2 million to help 57 startup biotech companies developing treatments for medical conditions including sleep apnea and dermatitis. Among the beneficiaries is Biomed Research & Technologies, which is developing an eczema treatment that regenerates lipids that diminish because of aging and diseases. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (2/18)

• Cubist begins early-stage human studies of antibiotic
  Cubist Pharmaceuticals has begun its first Phase I human trial of CB-182,804, an experimental treatment for gram-negative bacterial infections. The injectable drug proved safe and effective in treating E. coli, Acinetobacter, Kiebsiella and Pseudomonas in animals. Mass High Tech (Boston) (2/17)

Featured Content

Food & Agriculture

• Officials: Monsanto begins trials of biotech corn in India
  Monsanto officials said the company has begun field trials of its biotech corn in India, but it might take a few years before the seeds are ready to enter the market. Brian Uken, Monsanto's vice president for Asia Pacific, said the company is confident that it will secure approval for field tests of the crop in Indonesia, which is working to establish a bio-safety council. Reuters (2/17)

• Other News

• Monsanto corn may be banned in Germany, agriculture chief says
  Bloomberg (2/18)

Industrial & Environmental

• Biofuel leaders eye North Carolina as next big ethanol producer
  North Carolina has the potential to thrive in the ethanol industry if it can find a locally grown crop that can be converted to alternative fuel, biofuel experts said at the annual biotechnology conference of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. The state would need sustained effort and up to a decade to cultivate an ethanol-producing crop, said Mike Lanahan, vice president of biotech company Agrivida. American City Business Journals/Raleigh/Durham, N.C. (2/17)

News from BIO

• BIO introduces the One-on-One Services
  BIO introduces its One-on-One Services, three networking tools to enhance your meetings productivity. BIO One-on-One Partnering is an interactive environment that allows you to intelligently search, contact and schedule private meetings with potential partners and investors at BIO meetings. The BIO One-on-One Forum provides ongoing access to news feeds and financial data about all the presenting companies -- before, during and after BIO conferences. BIO One-on-One Meeting Room Banks allow member companies to book rooms for private 30-minute meetings at major medical and industry conferences, at no cost.

SmartQuote

Inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it." --Lisa Alther, American novelist