Old wheat, new genetic engineering may protect crop from deadly pest – Ars Technica
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Ars Technica | Old wheat, new genetic engineering may protect crop from deadly pest Ars Technica Currently, roughly 20 percent of humanity's caloric intake comes from wheat. Agricultural strains, specialized for bread or pasta production, have been bred for high productivity and resistance to many agricultural pests. But over the past few years ... Genes Found to Fight Wheat DiseasePayvand |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Old wheat, new genetic engineering may protect crop from deadly pest – Ars Technica |
June 30th, 2013
What Is Biotechnology Again? – Motley Fool
By Dr. Matthew Watson
What Is Biotechnology Again? Motley Fool Understanding the ins and outs will come with time, but to get there investors need to grasp some of the basics. For instance: the difference between biotechnology and "traditional" pharmaceuticals. The two terms are often used (mistakenly ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on What Is Biotechnology Again? – Motley Fool |
June 30th, 2013
Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Cytos Biotechnology Ltd: Shareholders … – PR Newswire (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Cytos Biotechnology Ltd: Shareholders ... PR Newswire (press release) Cytos Biotechnology Ltd (SIX:CYTN) today announced that its shareholders have approved all resolutions at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting 2013. The Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Cytos Biotechnology Ltd took place at the company's headquarters in ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Cytos Biotechnology Ltd: Shareholders … – PR Newswire (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
Biotechnology Recognized for contribution to renewable energy. – ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Biotechnology Recognized for contribution to renewable energy. ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release) June 28, 2013 - BIO applauded President Barack Obama's recognition of contributions made by biotechnology to design of new biofuels and to agricultural productivity in the President's Climate Action Plan. BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood ... BIO Applauds Legislation That Levels the Playing Field for Renewable ChemicalsThe Herald | HeraldOnline.com |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Biotechnology Recognized for contribution to renewable energy. – ThomasNet Industrial News Room (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
A joint campaign against GM crops, Biotechnology Bill – The Hindu
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 The Hindu | A joint campaign against GM crops, Biotechnology Bill The Hindu Cutting across party lines, several political leaders participated on Tuesday in a joint campaign with civil society groups and farmers' organisations against Genetically Modified crops and the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill at ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on A joint campaign against GM crops, Biotechnology Bill – The Hindu |
June 30th, 2013
Prosensa Holding (RNA) IPO Opens Sharply Higher – StreetInsider.com (subscription)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Prosensa Holding (RNA) IPO Opens Sharply Higher StreetInsider.com (subscription) Prosensa Holding is an innovative biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of ribonucleic acid-modulating, or RNA-modulating, therapeutics for the treatment of genetic disorders. The company's primary focus is on rare ... Prosensa leaps in 1st day of Nasdaq tradingThe Idaho Statesman |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Prosensa Holding (RNA) IPO Opens Sharply Higher – StreetInsider.com (subscription) |
June 30th, 2013
Puma Biotechnology to Join Russell 3000 Index – EON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Puma Biotechnology to Join Russell 3000 Index EON: Enhanced Online News (press release) LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NYSE: PBYI), a development stage biopharmaceutical company, is set to join the broad-market Russell 3000® Index following Russell Investments' annual reconstitution of its comprehensive set ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Puma Biotechnology to Join Russell 3000 Index – EON: Enhanced Online News (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
OICR congratulates Dr. Thomas J. Hudson on being named to the Order of … – Canada NewsWire (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
OICR congratulates Dr. Thomas J. Hudson on being named to the Order of ... Canada NewsWire (press release) In 2007, Dr. Hudson was appointed Professor in the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and he is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He is editor-in-chief of the journal Human Genetics and has ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on OICR congratulates Dr. Thomas J. Hudson on being named to the Order of … – Canada NewsWire (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
Targeted viral therapy destroys breast cancer stem cells in preclinical … – EurekAlert (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Targeted viral therapy destroys breast cancer stem cells in preclinical ... EurekAlert (press release) ... Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and co-leader of the Cancer Molecular Genetics program at VCU Massey, chairman of VCU School of Medicine's Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and director of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine. |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Targeted viral therapy destroys breast cancer stem cells in preclinical … – EurekAlert (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
Angelina Jolie, Medical College of Wisconsin and genome sequencing – The Business Journal of Milwaukee (blog)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Angelina Jolie, Medical College of Wisconsin and genome sequencing The Business Journal of Milwaukee (blog) Howard Jacob, director of the college's Human and Molecular Genetics Center, told me. “That's really where we want to spend our time. There are plenty of places out there that have more firepower in the research arena than we do.” Rich Kirchen is The ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Angelina Jolie, Medical College of Wisconsin and genome sequencing – The Business Journal of Milwaukee (blog) |
June 30th, 2013
Ami Ahern-Rindell Brings 20 Years of Experience to Undergraduate Research … – Newswise (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Ami Ahern-Rindell Brings 20 Years of Experience to Undergraduate Research ... Newswise (press release) She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University and was an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Molecular Genetics at the University of California, San Diego. In 1992, she received her first ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Ami Ahern-Rindell Brings 20 Years of Experience to Undergraduate Research … – Newswise (press release) |
June 30th, 2013
RUSNANOPRIZE Award 2013 for Achievements in Nanomaterials and Surface … – AZoNano.com
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 AZoNano.com | RUSNANOPRIZE Award 2013 for Achievements in Nanomaterials and Surface ... AZoNano.com Professor Lukyanov also had a successful business in the field of molecular genetics, and a score of 40 in the Hirsch Index at the same time. Anatoly Chubays, the RUSNANO CEO, presents the RUSNANOPRIZE Award to Prof. Sergey Lukyanov at the 2012 ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on RUSNANOPRIZE Award 2013 for Achievements in Nanomaterials and Surface … – AZoNano.com |
June 30th, 2013
Student news published June 28, 2013 – Helena Independent Record
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Student news published June 28, 2013 Helena Independent Record A 2010 graduate in cell biology, Harlen will use his fellowship to research molecular genetics in the department of genetics at Harvard Medical School. He would eventually like to become a professor. MedStart Summer Camp attendees. Kaitlin Kroll and ... |
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Student news published June 28, 2013 – Helena Independent Record |
June 30th, 2013
Cost of a Stem Cell Therapy? An Estimated $512,000
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The likely costs of potential stem cell therapies
and cures receive almost no attention in the media as well as
publicly from scientists and the biotech firms.
and cures receive almost no attention in the media as well as
publicly from scientists and the biotech firms.
Usually any public discussion is
obliquely framed in the context of “reimbursement,” as if
industry is owed something instead of making a business decision
about what will make a profit. Euphemisms and jargon cloak unpleasant realities such as astronomical patient costs. But what reimbursement really involves are, in fact, pricing decisions and profit margins along with
lobbying campaigns for inclusion of
therapies in normal coverage of health insurance and Medicare.
obliquely framed in the context of “reimbursement,” as if
industry is owed something instead of making a business decision
about what will make a profit. Euphemisms and jargon cloak unpleasant realities such as astronomical patient costs. But what reimbursement really involves are, in fact, pricing decisions and profit margins along with
lobbying campaigns for inclusion of
therapies in normal coverage of health insurance and Medicare.
And today a singular figure – $512,000
for one stem cell treatment – appeared in the Wall Street
Journal . The story by Kosaku Narioka and Phred Dvorak dealt
with what would be the first-ever human study of a treatment that
uses reprogrammed adult stem cells.
for one stem cell treatment – appeared in the Wall Street
Journal . The story by Kosaku Narioka and Phred Dvorak dealt
with what would be the first-ever human study of a treatment that
uses reprogrammed adult stem cells.
They reported that the study received
preliminary approval on Wednesday from a key panel of the Japan
Health Ministry. The treatment involves a form of age-related macular
degeneration, which has also been targeted by the California stem
cell agency with different approaches.
preliminary approval on Wednesday from a key panel of the Japan
Health Ministry. The treatment involves a form of age-related macular
degeneration, which has also been targeted by the California stem
cell agency with different approaches.
Buried deep in the Wall Street Journal
article, with little other discussion, was this sentence:
article, with little other discussion, was this sentence:
“One eventual obstacle, even if tests
go well, could be cost: (Masayuki) Yamato (of Tokyo Women's Medical
University) says initial estimates for the treatment run around ¥50
million ($512,000) per person."
The subject of costs for potential stem
cell treatments has rattled around in the background for years
without much deep public discussion. One reason is that high costs of
treatments are controversial and can trigger emotional debate.
Another reason is that it is very early in the therapy development
process and estimates are not likely to be entirely reliable.
cell treatments has rattled around in the background for years
without much deep public discussion. One reason is that high costs of
treatments are controversial and can trigger emotional debate.
Another reason is that it is very early in the therapy development
process and estimates are not likely to be entirely reliable.
A few years ago, however, the California stem
cell agency commissioned a study involving costs of stem cell therapies. The UC Berkeley report said,
cell agency commissioned a study involving costs of stem cell therapies. The UC Berkeley report said,
“The cost impact of the therapy is
likely to be high, because of a therapy’s high cost per patient,
and the potentially large number of individuals who might benefit
from the therapy. This expense would put additional stress on
the Medicare and Medicaid budgets, cause private
insurance health premiums to increase, and create an incentive for
private plans to avoid covering individuals eligible for a therapy.”
The findings did not seem to be exactly
welcomed. The agency sat on the 2009 study for seven months until it
was uncovered by the California Stem Cell Report in April 2010. Then
the agency was careful to say that the study did not reflect the view
of CIRM management or board leadership.
welcomed. The agency sat on the 2009 study for seven months until it
was uncovered by the California Stem Cell Report in April 2010. Then
the agency was careful to say that the study did not reflect the view
of CIRM management or board leadership.
Their wariness of being out in front on the issue could be well-advised. The pharmaceutical industry received some unpleasant attention this spring when more than 100 influential cancer specialists from more than 15 countries publicly denounced the cost of cancer drugs that exceed more than $100,000 a year.
Nonetheless pricing is critical
to both patient accessibility and therapy development. If companies
cannot make a profit on a possible therapy, it is virtually certain
not to appear in the marketplace.
to both patient accessibility and therapy development. If companies
cannot make a profit on a possible therapy, it is virtually certain
not to appear in the marketplace.
While the subject remains in the
background, it does not mean there is a lack of interest. The copy of
the Berkeley stem cell cost study that was posted online by the California
Stem Cell Report has been read 11,701 times since it was made
available in April 2010 on scribd.com.
background, it does not mean there is a lack of interest. The copy of
the Berkeley stem cell cost study that was posted online by the California
Stem Cell Report has been read 11,701 times since it was made
available in April 2010 on scribd.com.
A copy of the study can be found below.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
Comments Off on Cost of a Stem Cell Therapy? An Estimated $512,000 |
June 30th, 2013
Bluebird and Banking: Media Pluses for California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The California stem cell agency scored
a couple of favorable publicity points last week as the result of a
successful stock offering by an award recipient and another piece
about creation of a stem cell bank in Northern California.
a couple of favorable publicity points last week as the result of a
successful stock offering by an award recipient and another piece
about creation of a stem cell bank in Northern California.
The IPO by bluebird bio (the company's
preferred spelling) of Massachusetts was a big winner for the
company, raising millions of dollars more than anticipated.
preferred spelling) of Massachusetts was a big winner for the
company, raising millions of dollars more than anticipated.
The Boston Globe wrote,
“Shares of the Cambridge life
sciences company bluebird bio Inc. soared almost 60 percent on their
first day of trading (last) Wednesday, an impressive debut for a
business that endured years of stagnation and another encouraging
sign for the biotechnology industry.
“The local gene therapy company
raised $101 million in an initial public offering priced at $17 per
share, higher than the $14 to $16 estimated by investment bankers.
Bluebird shares closed at $26.91 per share on Wednesday.”
The stock continues to trade around $25
a share at the time of this writing, which is good news generally for
the biotech industry.
a share at the time of this writing, which is good news generally for
the biotech industry.
The company received a $9.4 million
award last fall from the $3 billion stem cell agency. The company has yet to receive any actual cash from the agency as both parties work
out final details of an agreement, a spokesman for the agency said
last week.
award last fall from the $3 billion stem cell agency. The company has yet to receive any actual cash from the agency as both parties work
out final details of an agreement, a spokesman for the agency said
last week.
The stem cell agency touted the
successful IPO in a blog item by that said,
successful IPO in a blog item by that said,
“Bluebird Bio, one of the oldest
companies in the struggling gene therapy field, is having an
outstanding first day in the stock market today, and largely by
marrying its gene therapy technology with stem cell science. The
company’s financial milestone brings hope and excitement to both
fields.”
However, the news stories about the IPO
failed to mention the stem cell agency's involvement, which would
have been nice for the agency but was to be expected given the way
news is covered.
failed to mention the stem cell agency's involvement, which would
have been nice for the agency but was to be expected given the way
news is covered.
The story about the stem cell bank
appeared on Xconomy, an Internet news service dealing with
technology. Written by Bernadette Tansey, a former San Francisco
Chronicle reporter, the piece dealt with the both business and science of stem cell banking. She wrote,
appeared on Xconomy, an Internet news service dealing with
technology. Written by Bernadette Tansey, a former San Francisco
Chronicle reporter, the piece dealt with the both business and science of stem cell banking. She wrote,
“One of the main goals of
California’s $3 billion stem cell research agency is to draw
companies into the state so they can vie for a share of the funding.
"With a recently funded $32 million
initiative, the California
Institute for Regenerative Medicine(CIRM) has attracted two of
the biggest US players in stem cell banking to Novato, CA, to form
one of the largest biobanks of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS
cells) in the world.”
The stem cell bank effort has become a
minor staple in recent news coverage of CIRM, surfacing in a number
of articles since the awards were approved. One of the reasons for that is that the project has a relatively straight-forward story line compared to many research efforts and the concept of "banking" is familiar to editors, writers and readers.
minor staple in recent news coverage of CIRM, surfacing in a number
of articles since the awards were approved. One of the reasons for that is that the project has a relatively straight-forward story line compared to many research efforts and the concept of "banking" is familiar to editors, writers and readers.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
Comments Off on Bluebird and Banking: Media Pluses for California Stem Cell Agency |
June 30th, 2013
Stem Cell Therapy Becomes More Widely Available | Video ABC News – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Stem Cell Therapy Becomes More Widely Available | Video ABC News
Beverly Hills Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raj appeared on ABC #39;s Good Morning America to share the breatkthrough stem cell treatment that #39;s now available to weeken...
By: AHPRvideo
Continued here:
Stem Cell Therapy Becomes More Widely Available | Video ABC News - Video
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Stem Cell Therapy Becomes More Widely Available | Video ABC News – Video |
June 28th, 2013
Punto por Punto: Phil Medical Association, nagbabala sa iligal na pagsasagawa ng stem cell therapy – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
Punto por Punto: Phil Medical Association, nagbabala sa iligal na pagsasagawa ng stem cell therapy
MANILA - Punto por Punto host Anthony Taberna discusses the possible dangers of illegal stem cell therapy.
By: TheABSCBNNews
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Punto por Punto: Phil Medical Association, nagbabala sa iligal na pagsasagawa ng stem cell therapy – Video |
June 28th, 2013
63 year old stroke victim was greatly improved through stem cell therapy – Video
By daniellenierenberg
63 year old stroke victim was greatly improved through stem cell therapy
By: Gökhan Akdo #287;an
Read the original:
63 year old stroke victim was greatly improved through stem cell therapy - Video
Uncategorized
Comments Off on 63 year old stroke victim was greatly improved through stem cell therapy – Video |
June 28th, 2013
Cell Therapy Catapult – World Stem Cells Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013 – Video
By raymumme
Cell Therapy Catapult - World Stem Cells Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013
We spoke with some of the sponsors at Europe #39;s largest stem cells and regenerative medicine industry conference. This is a three day congress that stages a s...
By: biopharmachannel
See more here:
Cell Therapy Catapult - World Stem Cells Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013 - Video
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Cell Therapy Catapult – World Stem Cells Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013 – Video |
June 28th, 2013
Foreign doctors behind illegal stem cell therapy – Video
By LizaAVILA
Foreign doctors behind illegal stem cell therapy
The Philippine Medical Association wants to go after foreign doctors who are reportedly conducting unauthorized stem cell procedures in the country.
By: TheABSCBNNews
Visit link:
Foreign doctors behind illegal stem cell therapy - Video
Uncategorized
Comments Off on Foreign doctors behind illegal stem cell therapy – Video |
June 28th, 2013