From the Lab Bench

• Caltech Scientists Decipher the Neurological Basis of Timely Movement
  Research by Richard Andersen, the James G. Boswell Professor of Neuroscience at Caltech, and his colleagues Grant Mulliken of MIT and Sam Musallam of McGill University, offers the first neural evidence that voluntary limb movements are guided by our brain's prediction of what will happen an instant into the future. Andersen's lab at Caltech is focused on understanding the neurobiology of brain processes. His team is working on the development of neural prosthetic devices to serve as the interface between severely paralyzed individuals' brain signals and their artificial limbs--allowing thoughts to control movement ... read more

Industry & Company Headlines

• California Sends a Cease-and-Desist Notice to Consumer Genomic Companies
  California becomes the second big state to crack down on companies that offer gene tests to consumers via the Web. The state health department already sent cease-and-desist letters to 13 such firms, ordering them to immediately stop offering genetic tests to state residents.... read more
• Mannkind: Overlooked Biotech With Excellent Prospects
  Is the market punishing MannKind (Valencia, Calif.) indiscriminately? The author of a six-part study at Seeking Alpha thinks so. He concludes that MannKind offers an uncommon opportunity for investors to profit greatly from the market's ignorance because the company's technology "works."
  • Read part I
  • Read part II
  • Read Part III
• What's Ailing the Pharmaceutical Sector?
  Since 1945, the pharma industry provided good investment opportunities during recessionary cycles and outperformed the S&P 500 five out of six down turns since 1974. This is not the case in 2008. The AMEX Pharmaceutical Index shows a lifeless industry this time around. Why? Two reasons. The pipelines of most Big Pharmas are bone dry. And post-Vioxx, the FDA's on new-approval lockdown. Last year, it approved the lowest number of new drugs (19) since 1983 ... continue reading
• Startups Persevere Toward Gaining Artificial Liver Approval
  Article examines the potential market opportunity for an artificial liver which keeps players in the game, even though many companies have tried and failed in the past. It reviews the offerings of two Southern California companies and alumni of the SoCalBio Investor Conference: Vital Therapies (San Diego) and Arbios Systems (Pasadena) ... click to access article
• Other News:
  • Abraxis to Appeal Jury Ruling on Elan Patent Infringement Claim
  • Advanced Medical Optics Announces Partnership with Institute for Eye Research to Develop Contact Lens Disinfectant and Cleaning Solutions
  • FDA panel wants stricter contact lens labeling
  • Allergan buys QLT acne gel Aczone for $150 million
  • Beckman and partner Orchid sue Sequenom
  • Calando Pharmaceuticals Collaborates with City of Hope to Initiate Clinical Trial Using IT-101 in Lymphoma Patients
  • Pharmavite Prepared for FDA's Dietary Supplement Good Manufacturing Practice Guidelines
  • STAAR Surgical's LASIK Alternative Expands Market Gains
  • Valeant says hepatitis C drug causes less anemia
  • Valeant Pharmaceuticals Divests Argentina
  • Viral Genetics Announces Expanded License with University of Colorado and V-Clip Pharmaceuticals

Open Positions

• Dakim (Santa Monica):
  Offers a Linux-based appliance providing brain-fitness exercises to seniors.
  • Linux Uber Ninja
  • Senior QA Engineer
  • Junior QA Engineer

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According to a recent report published by the Freedonia Group, "demand for orthopedic devices will reach $19.1 billion in 2011, up 8.8 percent annually from 2006." Growth in this market segment will be spurred by a spike in tissue and spinal implants and will see the fastest sales gains as advances in fusion, fracture fixation and neurological stimulating technologies improve the success rate and cost-effectiveness of related surgical procedures. Join us to learn from local firms about strategies to partake in this growth opportunity.

Event Chair

• Maynard Carkhuff, President & CEO, Freedom Innovations

Speakers

• Hal Hurwitz, CFO, Interventional Spine (Irvine)
• Bill Lamm, President & CEO, Bioplate (Los Angeles)
• James Brannon, M.D., President & CEO, Orthopedic Sciences (Seal Beach) invited

• 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