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

• Biotech firms recovering from losses with deals, studies
  The biotech industry appears to be regaining momentum through a wave of financing deals and positive clinical trials. Exelixis is expected to announce that it agreed to license two of its cancer drug candidates to Sanofi-Aventis. MAP Pharmaceuticals and Dendreon reported positive late-stage results for their experimental treatments for migraine and prostate cancer, respectively. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (5/28)

	FREE REPORT – The Future of Biotech! This comprehensive report into the future of our industry provides expert advice from some of the best minds in biotechnology. You'll see where our industry is headed – and what you can do to prepare yourself for that future. Published by BioWorld Today. Click here now to download your FREE report.

Health Care & Policy

• Scientists make monkeys' feet glow fluorescent green
  Japanese scientists inserted a green fluorescent protein gene into marmoset monkeys to make their feet glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. Despite ethical concerns of using primates as models, the experiment could help advance research on Parkinson's disease and other human disorders. The Times (London) (subscription required) (5/28)

Company & Financial News

• Novartis, Roche make headway with cancer drugs
  Novartis AG and Roche Holding reported that clinical trials of their cancer drugs yielded positive results. A Phase III trial showed that Novartis' Sandostatin LAR cut the risk of disease progression by 67%. During a midstage study, a combination treatment of Roche's Herceptin and trastuzumab-DM1 helped shrink tumors in 25% of women with HER2-positive breast cancer. Reuters (5/28)

• Agios Pharmaceuticals names CEO, chief operating officer
  Agios Pharmaceuticals chose Genentech executive David Schenkein as its CEO and former Archemix leader Duncan Higgons as its chief operating officer. Higgons' appointment takes effect this month and Schenkein will assume his position in August. Mass High Tech (Boston) (5/27)

• Metabasis cuts 85% of work force
  Metabasis in San Diego is eliminating 45 more workers, citing "difficulty in raising sufficient capital." The company, which has not found a partner for its Type 2 diabetes drug candidate, said it might be forced to close if it fails to secure funding. San Diego Business Journal (5/27)

Industry Deals

• Cellular Dynamics signs stem cell licensing deal with medical school
  Cellular Dynamics International said it received exclusive rights from New York-based Mount Sinai School of Medicine to convert stem cells into cardiac cells. The licensing deal allows the company to market the resulting heart cells to pharmaceutical and biotech firms for use in drug toxicity testing. Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press (5/27)

Featured Content

Food & Agriculture

• 2 panels to discuss cultivation of biotech sugar beets in Boulder, Colo.
  The Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee and the Food and Agriculture Policy Council in Boulder County, Colo., are set to meet today to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the cultivation of biotech sugar beets on leased county land. The meeting was prompted by a letter from six farmers asking permission to plant Roundup Ready sugar beets from Monsanto in the county. The Longmont Times-Call (Colo.) (5/27)

• Brazil to start commercial planting of rust-resistant soybean
  Brazil is planning to begin commercial cultivation of Inox, a soybean variety genetically enhanced to resist Asian rust fungus, which in turn can develop resistance to fungicides. The variety, which was developed by research foundation Fundacao MT, is expected to significantly cut production costs of local producers. Reuters (5/27)

Industrial & Environmental

• Obama wants new types of biofuel from nonfood sources
  President Barack Obama said his administration is trying to fast-track the commercialization of biofuel-derived biomass feedstocks and waste materials. In his letter to the Governors' Biofuels Coalition, Obama said the goal will be met only if the corn-based ethanol sector "remains viable in the near term." Reuters (5/27)

• Colombia's ethanol projects to double output in 2009, official says
  Colombia is looking for local and foreign partners to invest in six new projects that are expected to generate jobs and boost the country's ethanol production capacity from 1.05 million liters a day to 2.42 million liters a day by the end of the year, Agriculture Minister Andres Fernandez Acosta said. Reuters (5/27)

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

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire." --Francois de La Rochefoucauld, French author and nobleman