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

• Pfizer reportedly considers buying Protalix
  Pfizer visited facilities of Israel's Protalix Biotherapeutics as part of talks to team up with or acquire the company, newspaper TheMarker reported. Protalix was not available for comment. Protalix recently reported a successful trial of its Gaucher disease drug Uplyso, which could compete with Genzyme's Cerezyme if approved. Forbes/Reuters (11/2)

Health Care & Policy

• Bioscience advocates call for biosimilar support
  Delaware BioScience Association President Bob Dayton and BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood in this letter to the editor call on Delaware's lawmakers to protect consumer safety and ensure innovation of biosimilars as Congress works on health care reform legislation. Creating an avenue for regulatory approval will ensure biosimilars "are tested for safety while expanding access, lowering costs through expanded competition and providing incentives for biotech companies to continue innovating," they write. delawareonline (11/2)

• Study: Enzyme blocks impediment to nerve fiber regeneration
  U.S. scientists said they were able to inhibit the formation of scar tissues, which prevent nerves from healing after a spinal cord injury, in rats for up to six weeks by engineering an enzyme called chondroitinase ABC. They combined the enzyme with trehalose, a sugar that stabilizes the enzyme at internal body temperature, and then delivered it into the injured site with the aid of a special gel. Yahoo!/Reuters (11/2)

Company & Financial News

• Dendreon files application for FDA approval of Provenge
  Dendreon submitted a biologics-license application to the FDA for prostate cancer drug Provenge. The biotech firm plans to produce the drug at its New Jersey plant and set up additional production facilities in Atlanta and Los Angeles. American City Business Journals/Seattle (11/2)

• FDA decides against Lipitor-Zetia combo
  The FDA rejected an application to market cholesterol drugs Lipitor and Zetia as a combination treatment because of a lack of manufacturing and stability data. Merck & Co., which developed Zetia with Schering-Plough, said it is reviewing the complete-response letter "to determine a new timetable for filing." The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/2)

• FDA wants another trial of GTx's prostate cancer drug
  The FDA ordered GTx to conduct a second Phase III trial of toremifene citrate to prove the drug's efficacy in reducing fractures in prostate cancer patients. GTx CEO Mitchell Steiner said the agency should have informed the company that two such trials were needed, adding that there already is "sufficient information to satisfy the request." American City Business Journals/Memphis, Tenn. (11/2)

• Judge allows continuation of lawsuit against gene patents
  A U.S. federal judge did not dismiss a lawsuit challenging patents held by Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation for two genes linked to breast and ovarian cancers. The lawsuit, which was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, claims that human genes should not be patented because they are "products of nature." Myriad Genetics' legal counsel had no immediate comment on the case. Reuters (11/2)

Global Developments

• Probiodrug completes financing round for Alzheimer's drug
  Probiodrug, a privately held biotech firm in Germany, raised $53 million in its second financing round for an Alzheimer's disease drug program. The company plans to use the funds to conduct further trials of a treatment that blocks glutaminyl cyclase, a brain enzyme that appears to contribute to plaque buildup linked to Alzheimer's. Reuters (11/2)

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Probiodrug Closes Series B Financing Round exceeding US$54 Million Interested in learning more about advertising in BIO SmartBrief? Contact Chris Pope at 202 737-5500 ext 295 or cpope@smartbrief.com.

Featured Content

Food & Agriculture

• Scientists unveil first draft of pig's genome
  A group of international scientists said they have nearly completed a draft sequence of a pig genome. They think the discovery could help improve breeding techniques and prove useful in the study of human health. Yahoo!/Agence France-Presse (11/2)

Industrial & Environmental

• Missouri scientists to use deserted mines for algae-biofuel production
  Scientists at the Missouri University of Science and Technology are planning to use vacated mines to grow algae for biofuel production with the help of light-emitting diodes. Such venues would allow growers to sidestep temperature fluctuations, contamination and other issues related to algae cultivation in open ponds, said David Summers, an expert on mining engineering. The New York Times/Greenwire (11/2)

Need to increase market share and build your life science and biotech customer base? See how Pilgrim Software used online media to drive stellar results this year with SmartBrief. Case study now available (free for SmarBrief subscribers).

News from BIO

• Feeling the pinch in today's market hurts
  Let BIO ease your pain with BIO Business Solutions, BIO's cost-savings program, which provides products and services specific to the life sciences industry at discounted prices and other benefits. Participation is free to members of BIO and 38 state/regional biotech associations, and more than 1,900 companies currently use BIO Business Solutions. See how BIO Business Solutions can help your bottom line. Get more information about the 15 money-saving opportunities here.

SmartQuote

Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine." --William Feather, publisher and author