Thanks to all Participants in the SoCalBio Networking Forum on May 29 at USC Davidson Conference Center

Special thanks to Boston Scientific's Rafael Carbunaru, Ph.D., Director of Emerging Indications R&D (right top), and Todd Whitehurst, M.D., VP for Emerging Indications R&D (right bottom), for sharing information about their company's implantable neuromodulation devices targeting problems from chronic pain and migraine headache to Parkinson's and depression.

These devices will enable Boston Scientific's Valencia, CA-based neuromodulation business to partake in the growing US market for neuromodulation Devices which -- according to a study by Millennium Research Group -- is expected to reach $3.0 billion in 2010.

Presentations by Drs. Carbunaru and Whitehurst provided yet again another demonstration why the Greater Los Angeles region is the best place for nurturing an implantable medical device technology platform.

Join us on June 26 at UCI in Irvine, CA to explore growth opportunities in another device market segment: orthopedic implants

Industry & Company Headlines

• Rox Medical Inc. Receives $35 Million in Series C Funding
  The San Clemente, Calif.-based Rox Medical is a device company focusing on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its $35 million in Series C funding came from a syndicate composed of Essex Woodlands Health Ventures (which led the round), Domain Associates, Prism VentureWorks and Versant Ventures. The company had previously raised about $16 million. 

• Leiner Health Products Sells Assets to NBTY
  The Carson, Calif.-based Leiner  -- a bankrupt maker of vitamins, generic drugs and nutritional supplements --  has agreed to sell its assets to NBTY (Nasdaq: NBTY) for approximately $230 million. North Castle Partners and Golden Gate Capital co-led a $650 million recap of Leiner Health back in 2004, before which North Castle had been the sole sponsor. That deal included around $131 million in equity from each firm, and gave North Castle a 3x return on its initial investment. 

• Abraxis Bioscience (Los Angeles):
  • David O'Toole succeeds Lisa Gopala as CFO, EVP
• AMDL (Irvine)
  • AMDL Announces New GOODNAK Consumer Anti-Aging Products for Use in Skin Renewal Treatments
• Amgen (Thousand Oaks):
  • Amgen says osteoporosis drug tops Merck's in trial
• Biomerica (Newport Beach)
  • Biomerica Announces Sale of Minority Interest in Lancer Orthodontics, Inc.
• CLRS Technology Corporation (Costa Mesa):
  • CLRS Accelerates Infrastructure Growth Anticipating FDA Clearance for Acne Device
• CompuMed (Los Angeles):
  • CompuMed Teams with OSI Systems, of Hawthorne to Provide Bone Density Screening Solutions at the Point-Of-Care
• ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (Woodland Hills):
  • ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Announces Ability to Characterize Distinct Antigens between Cancers Using Monoclonal Antibody Technology
• Response Genetics (Los Angeles):
  • David M. Jackson, Ph.D. Joins Response Genetics, Inc. as Executive Vice President
• Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine):
  • Edwards Receives Additional Questions From the FDA About the LifeStent Product Line
• Migami, Inc. (Los Angeles):
  • Migami Agrees to $3 Million Deal With Enerland
• Molecular Express (Rancho Dominguez):
  • Molecular Express Receives Grant to Study Anthrax
• Watson Pharmaceuticals (Corona):
  • Watson Announces Oxybutynin Topical Gel NDA Accepted for Filing by FDA for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder

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 Coming Soon

The Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio) is committed to providing high-quality events that enhance learning, networking and problem-solving

• June 12, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm (for members or prospective members only):
  SoCalBio New Members Orientation and Introduction to the Group Purchasing Program. 
• June 26, 7:00 - 9:30 am:
  SoCalBio Networking Forum at UCI University Club in Irvine -- Focus: Unfolding Growth Opportunities in the Orthopedic Implant Market
• June 30, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (for device and biotech CEOs only):
  SoCalBio CEO Luncheon & Roundtable Discussion at SoCalBio Office in Irvine
• July 24, 4:00 – 7:00 pm:
  SoCalBio Networking Forum at CSUN in Northridge -- Focus: TBA

Coming This Fall

September 19, 2008

October 13, 2008

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Recommended

Register now for the Biotechnology Education Banquet, the signature networking and recognition event for biotechnology executives, biotechnology educators and their supporters in San Diego (preceding BIO's International Convention). 

Keynote speaker will be US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. For registration and sponsorship information, visit www.biotechinstitute.org/banquet.

BIO International Convention

June 17–20, 2008
San Diego, CA
http://www.bio2008.org

Visit the Southern California Biomedical Council's Booth
(# 2913-C8) in the

California Pavilion

Booth is sponsored by Southern California Edison
and features the following SoCalBio members:

• Allvivo Vascular
• BioOptions
• C3 Jian
• Capricor

9^th Annual UC System-wide 
Bioengineering Symposium

June 20 - 22, 2008
University of California, Riverside
http://www.bioeng.ucr.edu/2008UCBES

BioProcess International Conference

September 23 - 26
Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
http://www.ibclifesciences.com/B8171/overview.xml

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