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

• Novartis to invest $1B in R&D in China, buy vaccine firm
  Novartis plans to invest $1 billion in the next five years in research and development in China to take advantage of planned health care reform in the country. The Swiss drugmaker also is buying an 85% stake in Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical, a vaccine company, for $125 million. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/3) , Reuters (11/4)

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Health Care & Policy

• Patient safety should be addressed in follow-on biologics measure
  Congress should ensure that patient safety and medical efficacy are prioritized in a health reform measure that allows the use of follow-on biologics, Dr. David B. Nash of the Jefferson School of Population Health writes in The Hill. Rather than just debating data exclusivity for FOBs, lawmakers should also specify rules on testing these drugs and consider requiring post-market surveillance to avoid "unintended consequences" that compromise patient safety, Nash writes. The Hill (11/3)

• Genetically engineered fruit flies could aid diabetes research
  U.S. scientists modified genes in fruit flies to simulate the inability of Type 1 diabetics to produce insulin. "We can use these genetically manipulated flies as a model to understand defects underlying human diabetes and to identify genes and target points for pharmacological intervention," one of the researchers said. The team also is studying Type 2 diabetes with the flies. United Press International (11/3)

• Drug-loaded nanoparticles zero in on tumors
  Scientists at BIND Biosciences developed nanoparticles loaded with drugs that can effectively target tumors by staying in the bloodstream for more than a day. They hope the nanoparticles, which are coated with cancer-targeting proteins, can minimize side effects of chemotherapy. MIT Technology Review (11/4)

Company & Financial News

• Merck finalizes $41 billion merger with Schering-Plough
  Merck & Co. completed its $41 billion takeover of Schering-Plough, allowing the companies to begin operating as one entity today. The consolidation is expected to dramatically boost Merck's global expansion while bringing in a diverse pipeline of treatments, including those for cancer, women's health and infectious diseases. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/3)

• Lilly seeks investors to expand subsidiary's portfolio
  Eli Lilly and Co. plans to increase funds and put more drug candidates into its subsidiary Chorus, a company executive said. The drugmaker is looking for financial backers rather than pharmaceutical partners to maintain its control over Chorus' early- and late-stage drug development, said Gino Santini, Lilly's senior vice president of corporate strategy and business development. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/3)

• Genzyme plant gets approval to produce drugs for Europe
  Genzyme said the European Medicines Agency permitted its facility in Allston, Mass., to resume operations after inspectors found the plant in "general compliance with the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice." The facility, which manufactures Cerezyme and Fabrazyme, shut down for six weeks because of viral contamination. American City Business Journals/Boston (11/4)

• FDA clears PerkinElmer's genetic screening processor
  The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to PerkinElmer for its genetic screening processor designed to help public health laboratories screen newborns for genetic, hematologic or metabolic conditions. The GSP tool can enable laboratories to run multiple tests on very small blood samples. The Boston Globe (11/3)

Global Developments

• Xoma signs R&D contract with Japanese research foundation
  Xoma agreed to share a set of data-management systems and technology related to its antibody research and development with Kaketsuken, a research foundation in Japan. The deal entitles Xoma to receive $8 million upfront as well as milestone fees and royalties on future products. American City Business Journals/San Francisco (11/3)

Featured Content

Industrial & Environmental

• BP to ramp up biofuel production in coming years, exec says
  Philip New, CEO of BP Biofuels, said the company and its partner Verenium could make grass-derived ethanol for commercial consumption in the U.S. as early as next year. BP also plans to start commercial production of biobutanol by 2012 or 2013 at its proposed U.K. facility, which is expected to become operational in 2010, he added. Reuters (11/3)

News from BIO

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SmartQuote

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