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

• Cellectis unveils gene-research tool
  Cellectis has introduced a gene-research kit designed to help scientists develop stable cell clones faster and more accurately than with existing technologies. Some drugmakers and biotech firms in Europe have purchased the tool, which features 10 experiment tubes containing hamster cells, a Cellectis executive said. The French company hopes to expand the product's range to include cells of mice, humans and other species. The Guardian (London)/Reuters (12/1)     

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Health Care & Policy

• Concerns arise about studies conducted overseas
  Western drugmakers and regulators are under mounting pressure to ensure the safety of clinical trials conducted in developing countries after reports of death and complications in participants. Some experts are concerned about possible violations of clinical-testing rules, while others worry that companies may be taking advantage of individuals desperate to join studies. Drugmakers said they follow the rules when conducting trials abroad, including securing government authorization and routinely inspecting sites. The Wall Street Journal (12/1)     

• Researchers identify genes that affect degree of illness
  An Australian study involving 300 people found that about 28% had certain gene combinations that made them more vulnerable to serious symptoms or prolonged bouts of illness, while 18% had a genetic profile that enabled them to recover quickly. The results could be used to develop more personalized therapies for common infectious ailments and to identify those who require priority treatment in case of a pandemic, the lead researcher said. The Telegraph (London) (12/1)     

Company & Financial News

• Quintiles to boost oncology business with acquisition
  Quintiles Transnational, a privately owned clinical-research firm, purchased Targeted Molecular Diagnostics for an undisclosed amount. The deal is aimed at shoring up Quintiles' capabilities and services in oncology. American City Business Journals/Raleigh/Durham, N.C. (12/1)     

• Enzon scraps spinoff of biotech division
  Enzon Pharmaceuticals decided not to spin off its biotechnology unit into an independent developer of cancer medicines because of unfavorable market conditions. "The fundamentals of the business remain strong, and we will continue to develop our innovative compounds for cancer patients," Enzon CEO Jeffrey Buchalter said. Forbes/The Associated Press (12/1)     

• Cell Therapeutics gets priority-review status for Zevalin
  Cell Therapeutics secured fast-track designation from the FDA for its request to expand the use of Zevalin to treat patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who respond to first-line therapy. RIT Oncology, a joint venture of Cell Therapeutics and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, is handling the development of Zevalin. American City Business Journals/Seattle (12/1)     

• Cephalon drops collaboration with Alkermes for Vivitrol
  Alkermes said its partnership with Cephalon on Vivitrol, an injectable treatment for alcoholism, was discontinued. The decision, which is a result of Cephalon's portfolio evaluation, comes months after U.S. health authorities said they got 196 reported cases of complications from people who took Vivitrol. Reuters (12/1)     

• GeoVax to start midstage studies of AIDS vaccine
  GeoVax said it will conduct Phase II trials with 225 patients to test the safety and efficacy of its AIDS vaccine. The company will work with the NIH and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network for the studies, which are expected to start in the coming six weeks at 12 sites. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/2)     

Global Developments

• Experts: Increased biotech research could benefit Bangladesh
  Stepping up biotech research efforts could help drive economic development in Bangladesh, experts said ahead of a conference to examine the safety and ethical issues involved in biotech research. The experts also said, however, that government red tape hinders moves to conduct such work in the country. BdNews24.com (Bangladesh) (11/30)     

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Industrial & Environmental

• General Atomics, university partner to work for cellulose-based fuel
  Eastern Kentucky University and General Atomics unveiled plans to establish the Center for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies. The research facility, which will get about $4 million in federal funding, will focus on generating fuel from switchgrass and other cellulose-based materials. Lexington Herald-Leader (Ky.)/The Associated Press (12/1), American City Business Journals/Louisville, Ky. (12/1)     

News from BIO

• Uncover governmental financial incentives
  A midsized biotech company in Missouri generated $9MM to support its expansion and the creation of new jobs, while a large biotech firm in Florida received the largest incentive package in history, totaling more than $510MM. Of the $50B spent by state and local governments each year on economic development incentives, biotechnology companies are eligible for some of the highest governmental financial incentives. To determine whether your company is eligible for such incentives or tax credits, contact Bedford International, a BIO Business Solutions preferred partner.     

SmartQuote

Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success." --Thomas Edison, inventor and industrialist