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

• Stem cell surgery could benefit heart patients
  U.K. researchers are working on a technique to repair damaged hearts using progenitor cells derived from patients' own cardiac muscle. The method could help eliminate the need for transplants and decrease the number of deaths caused by heart attacks. The scientists have successfully tested the treatment on mice and hope to conduct human studies within three years. Telegraph (London) (12/3)

Health Care & Policy

• Stroke patient responds well to stem cell therapy
  A 49-year-old man who received Biocompatibles International's stem cell therapy for stroke regained speech and recovered from paralysis, CEO Crispin Simon said. Simon clarified that the findings were from a single case and not outcomes from a study of the treatment, which is in Phase I/II development. Reuters (12/2), The Times (London) (subscription required) (12/3)

Company & Financial News

• Solvay enzyme drug gets positive review from FDA panel
  FDA advisers said Solvay Pharmaceuticals does not need to conduct additional tests to screen for three viruses that may be in pig pancreas glands, which are used to manufacture Creon, a treatment for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. They said there is no concrete evidence that the drug puts patients at risk for the viruses. The panel also said Creon seems effective and safe in the short term. Forbes/Reuters (12/2), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/2)

• Targeted Genetics streamlines operations to save cash
  To preserve cash, Targeted Genetics reduced its staff by about 10% and plans to concentrate on a treatment for a genetic eye disorder. The biotech firm is shifting priorities after setbacks involving its flagship product, a gene-therapy drug for inflammatory arthritis. The Seattle Times (12/2)

• Helicos BioSciences replaces CEO
  Helicos BioSciences, a life sciences firm, chose Ronald Lowy to replace Steve Lombardi as CEO. Lowy will remain a board member. Lombardi will continue serving as president and concentrate on commercializing the company's HeliScope system. The Boston Globe (free registration) (12/2)

• Regulus: MicroRNA drug protects mice from heart failure
  Regulus Therapeutics reported that its gene-silencing medication either averted or reversed heart failure in mice by inhibiting miR-21, a fragment of ribonucleic acid produced excessively in people who have the condition. "We believe that this is the first study to clearly demonstrate therapeutic efficacy for targeting microRNAs in an animal model of human disease," Regulus CEO Kleanthis Xanthopoulos said. San Diego Business Journal (12/1)

• XenoPort unveils disappointing data for acid reflux drug
  XenoPort reported midstage-trial results showing that XP19986, a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease, did not demonstrate a significant difference versus placebo in decreasing heartburn. The company said it intends to conduct further studies after finding that the drug worked in patients who benefited at least partially from proton pump inhibitors. Reuters (12/2), Bloomberg (12/2)

• Goldman Sachs looks to invest in drug R&D, exec says
  Goldman Sachs is negotiating a financing deal with an unnamed major drugmaker to extend its reach into pharmaceutical research and development, said Jon Symonds, managing director at the investment bank in London. Goldman Sachs is working on a business model that includes a "research pool" to maximize resources while reducing costs, Symonds said. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (12/3)

Food & Agriculture

• Scientists: Cuban government may allow planting of biotech corn
  The Cuban government may be close to approving the cultivation of 124 acres of biotech corn in an effort to lessen its reliance on imported food, experts in the country said. The first batch of the crop would generate enough seeds to expand cultivation to 14,830 acres, said Carlos Borroto, deputy director of Cuba's Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Reuters (12/2)

• Push for biotech-free zones in EU not based on science
  A proposal in Europe to create biotech-free zones, which will be considered by EU environmental ministers this week, has no scientific justification and would make it "impractical or impossible" for farmers to grow biotech crops, Gregory Conko and Julian Morris write in The Wall Street Journal. The EU already has strict guidelines to regulate the use of biotech plants, which the commentary says are "arguably safer for the environment." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/2)

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SmartQuote

Man becomes man only by his intelligence, but he is man only by his heart." --Henri Frederic Amiel, Swiss philosopher