March 11, 2008

SoCalBio Weekly Update -- March 11, 2008
Editor: Ahmed A. Enany

From the Lab Bench

USC Team Develops Promising Vaccine Against Prostate Cancer
In a recent issue of Cancer Research, USC team led by Martin Kast (photo right) described a preventive vaccine designed to mount an immune response against prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), the protein target of some therapeutic vaccines under development. Kast suggests a vaccination strategy for men with rising levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen), a potential diagnostic indicator of prostate cancer ...read more
New Stem Cell Technique Improves Genetic Alteration
UCI team led by Peter Donovan (photo right) describes a technique in Journal of Stem Cells to improve the genetic manipulation of human embryonic stem cells, making it easier for scientists to study and potentially treat thousands of disorders ranging from Huntington's disease to muscular dystrophy and diabetes ... read more
UCLA Study Presents Potential Health Benefits Of Antioxidant Found In Broccoli
Published in this week's online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the study findings show that sulforaphane, a chemical in broccoli, switches on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes in specific immune cells, which then combat the effects of molecules known as free radicals that can damage cells and lead to disease . read more

Industry & Company Headlines

Amgen (Thousand Oaks):
- Amgen CEO Talks Drug Safety and Perils of M&A
CHAD Therapeutics (Chatsworth):
- CHAD closes sale of oxygen business assets
Cortex Pharmaceuticals (Irvine):
- Cortex Receives Approval from German Regulatory Authority to Proceed with Two Clinical Trials for AMPAKINE(R) CX717 for the Acute Treatment of Respiratory Depression Due to Opiate Analgesics
Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine):
- A Snohomish, WA Superior Court Jury Gave a Verdict Against Edward Lifesciences That the Company Should Pay a Mount Vernon, WA Man and His Family $40.1 Million After His Heart Was Hurt by an Edwards' Medical Device
Equipois (Santa Monica):
- Equipois Introduces the zeroG(TM) Arm Technology to Combat Injury and Inefficiency in the Workplace
MannKind Corp. (Valencia):
- MannKind Corporation Re-affirms Commitment to Inhaled Insulin
Medegen (Ontario):
- Medegen Introduces MaxPlus(R) Clear, First and Only Clear Positive Displacement Connector for Use in Infusion Therapy
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (Irvine):
- FDA Approves New Drug Application (NDA) for LEVOleucovorin, Spectrum's First Proprietary Oncology Drug

Jobs Available

Pathway Diagnostics (Malibu)
http://www.pathwaydx.com

Immunohistochemistry Technician
Laboratory Technician II
Scientist I Validation Manager

Register Now

March 27, 2008
4 to 7 pm
UCLA Faculty Club (Westwood, CA)

SoCalBio Networking Forum
RSVP: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=ttrmq

Personalized Medicine
Are We There Yet?

Personalized medicine is the practice of tailoring treatment to patients and their diseased cells based on genetic/genomic knowledge and health information technology. It is a therapeutic modality fueled by the genetic data and diagnostic tools that emerged following the decoding of the human genome about ten years ago. Personalized medicine represents a paradigm shift in health care requiring a whole new approach to science, but progress in making it a reality has been slow. Although many biotech firms and institutional researchers are rallying around personalized medicine, the timeline to new therapies is still being recalibrated. Join us to learn from local companies about the prospects of personalized medicine and consumer genomics.

Speakers

Walter Narajowski, President & CEO, Pathway Diagnostics
Peggy Pence, Ph.D., President & CEO, Symbion Research International
Robert Terbrueggen, Ph.D., President & CEO, DxTerity Diagnostics

Recommended Events

March 29, 2008
3^rd Annual Biomedical Forum

Organized by SABPA (Sino-American Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Professionals Association) at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach .. click here for more information

Real Estate

Available in Valencia

Available in Tustin

About SoCalBio

The Southern California Biomedical Council (SCBC or SoCalBio) is a nonprofit, member-supported trade association that promotes biomedical and life science research, development, manufacturing and overall economic development in Los Angeles, Orange County and adjacent communities.

SoCalBio’s programs assist local firms in accessing capital, potential partners and business support services. They also promote technology transfer and workforce training and educate the public and policy makers about the economic and social benefits of the life-science industry.

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SoCalBio Weekly Update -- March 11, 2008 Editor: Ahmed A. Enany