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

• Valeant pays $65M upfront for U.S. rights to Eisai's Targretin
  Eisai has sold the U.S. rights to Targretin capsules and 1% gel to Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $65 million plus possible milestone fees. Valeant will handle the new drug application and other regulatory obligations in the U.S. Targretin, or bexarotene, capsules and gel are used to treat patients with skin problems associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who failed to respond to at least one systemic treatment. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (2/21)     

Health Care & Policy

• Pluristem gets orphan drug designation for PLacental eXpanded cells
  Pluristem Therapeutics' PLacental eXpanded cells have been designated an orphan-disease treatment by the FDA as a therapy for aplastic anemia. "Receiving orphan drug designation for aplastic anemia is an important event for Pluristem as it open pathways for using our PLX cells for additional indications in the field of hematology," said Zami Aberman, Pluristem's chairman and CEO. Globes (Israel) (2/21)     

• FDA will expedite review of Epigenomics' colon cancer assay
  The FDA has given priority-review status to Epigenomics' premarket approval application for Epi proColon, a diagnostic test for colorectal cancer. Starting in 2009, the Septin9 protein-based assay has been marketed in Europe and the Middle East. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (2/21)     

• Abbott will develop assay for Janssen-Pharmacyclics leukemia drug
  Abbott Laboratories agreed to develop a fluorescence in situ hybridization-based companion diagnostic to determine which patients will benefit from ibrutinib, an experimental chronic lymphocytic leukemia drug being developed by Pharmacyclics and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Biotech. The test will identify high-risk CLL patients with a deletion in chromosome 17p. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (2/21), Yahoo/Reuters (2/21)     

• Diagnovus launches tumor tissue test for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  Diagnovus has launched Engauge, a genetic test for the evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma tumors. The assay can help guide personalized care and predict outcomes. The company plans to develop tests for blood cancers and childhood cancers. American City Business Journals/Nashville, Tenn./Nashville BizBlog (2/20)     

Company & Financial News

• Eurofins boosts genomics business with Aros buy
  Aros Applied Biotechnology, a Denmark-based provider of sequencing and other genomics services, has been acquired by Eurofins Scientific. The deal will bolster Eurofins' presence in the sequencing market. "Aros is an excellent strategic fit with Eurofins' genomic services business," Eurofins chief executive Gilles Martin said. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (2/21)     

• NIH awards stem cell contract to Lonza
  Swiss company Lonza has received a three-year contract from the NIH worth $7 million. Lonza will provide the NIH's Center for Regenerative Medicine with treatment-grade induced pluripotent stem cells for research. OutSourcing-Pharma.com (2/21)     

Food & Agriculture

• Colo. lawmakers turn down biotech labeling bill
  A Colorado bill to mandate special labeling for biotech foods was rejected by legislators in a House committee vote on Thursday. Growers said the requirement would put unnecessary demands on producers and increase costs for consumers. San Francisco Chronicle/The Associated Press (2/21)     

Industrial & Environmental

• N.D. researchers tout biofuel potential of energy beets
  Scientists at Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in North Dakota say trials have shown energy beets grown on an acre of non-irrigated land doubles the amount of ethanol produced by corn on a comparable basis, and that figure increases on irrigated land. BeetsAll Biofuel, a partner in the project, aims to develop 16 energy beet processing facilities in North Dakota, with the first due to break ground in 2015, a company representative said. The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.) (2/21)     

News from BIO

• BIOtechNOW
  BIOtechNOW is the first in a number of new products from BIO intended to enhance our communications with the biotech community -- not only with our members, but with other stakeholders as well. This e-newsletter, combined with its website, serves as our flagship in that effort. BIOtechNOW will offer original content that emphasizes the business needs of the industry; highlight BIO's advocacy efforts; and provide a portal to all BIO activities and events. Most importantly, it will spotlight for those outside the industry the value of biotechnology. Sign up for the e-newsletter.     

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