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

• U.K. biotech industry asks government for financial aid
  Some leading figures in the U.K.'s biotech industry are asking the government and private investors to contribute £500 million, about $734 million, each for two proposed funds designed to bolster and reorganize the sector. One fund would be used to consolidate smaller businesses, resulting in 20 to 30 larger units. The other fund would help more established companies finance clinical studies and acquire assets. Financial Times (free content) (12/4), The Times (London) (subscription required) (12/5)

	15 Biomaterial Sectors to Watch in 2009 Advances in Biomaterials 2009, a new report by BioWorld Today, offers insight into the biomaterials market, with analysis of current innovation, growth and FDA approvals, and provides a critical analysis of both the device and biotech industries' principal products in this space. Click here for more info.

Health Care & Policy

• Lawmaker calls for "complete change" in FDA leadership
  U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., is urging President-elect Barack Obama to refrain from selecting any current FDA official to run the agency temporarily or permanently. The agency's senior employees "are too close with the industries they regulate, creating a question of who they are working for," Stupak said in a letter. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/5)

• Scientists find gene linked to 2 inherited blood diseases
  U.S. researchers found that the BCL11A gene plays a role in causing sickle cell disease and thalassemia by preventing cells from producing fetal hemoglobin. They said the finding could prove useful in developing gene therapy or medicines designed to target BCL11A. Reuters (12/4)

• Antioxidant helps treat Lou Gehrig's disease, study says
  Apocynin, an antioxidant present in a number of plants, prevented motor-neuron death by blocking oxidation and inflammation in a human model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis created using embryonic stem cells, U.S. scientists reported. The finding could help in discovering other molecules with similar qualities that can be used to treat the condition. San Diego Union-Tribune (12/4)

• Mother's cells help fetus tolerate foreign antigens
  Maternal cells enable the fetal immune system to withstand foreign antigens by generating cells that help prevent rejection, a U.S. study found. The finding could prove useful in discovering treatments for chronic infections as well as stem cell therapies, researchers said. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (12/4)

• Study links gene to lung maturation of newborn mice
  U.S. scientists working on embryonic mice have identified a gene called Foxm1 that plays a role in lung development and the production of two essential proteins that prevent the breakdown of lung tissues. The findings may offer ways of detecting, averting and treating respiratory distress syndrome in premature human infants, they said. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (12/4)

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Company & Financial News

• GSK contesting amended patent procedure in appeals court
  GlaxoSmithKline is scheduled today to appear before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to argue against revisions to the patent process that are designed to prevent abuse and slash a backlog of unreviewed applications. GSK, along with the drug and biotech industries, said the changes would undercut incentives that encourage companies to invest in research and development. CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires (12/4)

• Drugmakers urge governments to finalize pandemic strategy
  Vaccine makers called on governments to finish policies for sharing specimens of flu-virus strains that can be used to develop preventive treatments for a global pandemic. GSK Biologicals, Novartis Vaccines and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations are among industry players set to join an intergovernmental meeting hosted by the World Health Organization next week to discuss issues including vaccine access in a flu pandemic. Reuters (12/4)

• Arthritis drug Actemra faces another FDA setback
  Deferring its ruling a second time, the FDA is seeking more clinical data on the possible effects of Actemra, a rheumatoid arthritis drug from Roche Holding and Chugai Pharmaceutical, on pregnancy or fertility. Japanese health care analysts said the agency could reach a decision in October at the earliest or in March 2010 the latest. Bloomberg (12/5)

• ZBx gets worldwide rights to Ambrilia cancer-screening technology
  ZBx Corp. has secured global rights for Ambrilia Biopharma's PSP94, a product designed for use in prostate cancer testing. ZBx plans to integrate, make and commercialize the PSP94 technology in its Zap Rapid Test Systems and Assays, which use a single drop of finger-stick blood for the early detection of the disease. Reuters (12/4)

Food & Agriculture

• Monsanto wins EU approval for biotech soybean
  The European Union has allowed Monsanto Co. to import MON 89788 for use in food and animal feed across 27 markets for the next decade. All products made from the biotech soybean, which can tolerate glyphosate Roundup Ready herbicides and boost yields for farmers, "will be subject to the EU's strict labeling and traceability rules," the European Commission said. Reuters (12/4)

News from BIO

• Did you know 88% of BIO's R&D members are small companies?
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SmartQuote

I don't possess a lot of self-confidence. I'm an actor so I simply act confident every time I hit the stage." --Arsenio Hall, comedian, actor