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

• Genmab to sell U.S. plant, cut jobs
  Genmab announced a restructuring plan that includes selling its U.S. production plant and laying off about 300 workers. The Danish biotech firm said it will not stop developing pipeline drugs but will "adopt a more flexible model based on contracts with vendors to address varying demand for clinical development work going forward." The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/5)

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Health Care & Policy

• Researchers tout success of gene therapy in 2 ALD patients
  French researchers were able to stabilize adrenoleukodystrophy, a degenerative condition, in two boys by inserting a healthy form of the ALD gene into debilitated HIV and introducing it to isolated bone marrow cells. The team plans to perform the procedure in other groups, including older men with a milder form of the disease. Los Angeles Times (11/6)

• Study finds how nanoparticles indirectly damage DNA in cells
  British researchers who built a multi-layer "barrier" of human cells to replicate the function of specialized protective tissues in the body found that signals transmitted by nanoparticles through the protective barrier indirectly damage DNA inside cells. The study results "expand significantly the hurdles that any theoretical nano-safety assessment would need to clear," an expert said. The discovered mechanism, however, also opens up the possibility of being able to deliver treatments across barriers without actually crossing them, another expert suggested. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/5)

• Study: Molecule holds promise for spinal muscular atrophy
  U.S. scientists created a molecule that increases the level of the SMN1 protein in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Studies on mouse models and human cells showed that the molecule, related to the antibiotic tetracycline, was able to boost the concentration of the protein in cells by correcting an error in RNA splicing. United Press International (11/5)

Company & Financial News

• Complete Genomics maps human genome for as low as $1,700
  Complete Genomics said it deciphered the whole genomes of three individuals, one for as low as $1,700. "This high-quality, cost-effective approach to genome sequencing will allow researchers to study complete genomes from hundreds of patients with a disease to advance the understanding of the genetic causes of that disease, with an end to preventing and treating common human ailments," said Cliff Reid, the company's CEO. The company expects to decode genomes of 10,000 people in 2010. Reuters (11/5) , U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (11/5)

• Abraxis unveils $70M manufacturing plant in Phoenix
  Abraxis Biosciences opened a $70 million facility in Phoenix that will produce Abraxane, a chemotherapy drug for metastatic breast cancer, and other treatments in its pipeline. The manufacturing plant is expected to generate as many as 200 high-tech jobs. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (11/5) , American City Business Journals/Phoenix (11/5)

• FDA approves osteoarthritis drug from Nuvo Research
  Canadian biotech firm Nuvo Research gained FDA approval for Pennsaid, a topical pain treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Nuvo and partner Covidien plan to introduce the product in the U.S. in the first half of 2010. Reuters (11/5)

• ThromboGenics finishes patient enrollment in 2 drug trials
  Belgian biotech firm ThromboGenics finished enrolling patients in a U.S. Phase III trial of microplasmin, its candidate for back-of-the-eye disease. The company also concluded patient recruitment for a Phase II trial of TB-402, an experimental anti-clotting drug co-developed with Swedish firm BioInvent. Reuters (11/4)

• Micromet buys out MedImmune's stake in anti-cancer compound
  Micromet secured rights to develop and commercialize cancer drug blinatumomab in North America after buying out MedImmune's remaining rights to the treatment. The biotech firm plans to conduct clinical studies of the drug next year. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (11/5)

Featured Content

Food & Agriculture

• Monsanto sets up cotton research facility in Texas
  Monsanto has started building a $10.5 million research center in Lubbock, Texas, that will allow scientists to work on the company's cotton breeding and testing efforts. "This increase in research will provide continued breakthroughs in genetics and technology for the farm," said Trevor Hohls, chief of the company's global cotton unit. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (11/5)

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News from BIO

• Registration now open for 2010 BIO Asia Partnering Conference
  The seventh annual BIO Asia Partnering Conference 2010, to be held Jan. 25 and 26 in Tokyo, is the leading biotechnology conference in Asia. This exclusive, customized partnering forum, hosted by the BIO and BioCentury Publications, brings together U.S. and European drug-development companies with Asian biotech and pharmaceutical companies interested in research collaborations and licensing agreements. New this year -- company presentations. Register for and apply to present at the 2010 BIO Asia Partnering Conference.

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