• Ernst & Young Analyst Expounds the Resilience of the MedTech Industry 

During the November 20 SoCalBio Networking Forum at UCLA, John Babitt (picture right) -- co-author of E&Y's "Pulse of the Industry US: Medical Technology Report 2008 -- explained that, although the road ahead is full of risks and challenges, the medtech industry may show more robustness in the current economic downturn. Read Ernst & Young's report on the prospects of the medtech industry

• Berliner & Associates
• Bolton & Company
• Perkins Coie
• Wells Fargo Insurance Services

• UCLA Researchers Say Red Wine Compounds Fight Alzheimer's Disease

David Teplow, a UCLA professor of neurology, and colleagues report in the November 21 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry that polyphenols (naturally occurring compounds in red wine) may block the formation of proteins that build toxic plaques destroying brain cells. This research also points to the possibility that polyphenols reduce the toxicity of existing plaques, thus reducing cognitive deterioration... Read more

• USC Study Identifies Pathway to Suppress Prostate Cancer Development

Amy Lee (picture right), the study's principal investigator and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at USC, points that glucose-regulated protein GRP78 has been identified as a crucial entity in the development of prostate cancer by promoting cancer cell proliferation, mediating oncogenic signaling and protecting cancer cells against cell death resulting from the stress of tumor development. Suppressing GRP78 expression could block prostate cancer activation and development ... Read more

The Top Ten MedTech Trends of 2009

 According to Global Markets Direct

• The home healthcare equipment market is poised for a big return in 2009, owing to cost containment efforts by both providers and purchasers 
• Emerging medical equipment markets will continue to grow in 2009, assisted by the ongoing trend towards medical tourism and helping to offset any negative impact felt by the general economic downturn   
• Major medical equipment manufacturers to remain stable in spite of mounting financial crisis
• Direct to consumer advertising of medical devices to continue to increase in prominence in 2009
• Healthcare information technology spend to gain significant attention in 2009 and beyond from both developed and emerging economies
• Drug eluting stents on a comeback trail in the US market in 2009
• Young adults and middle aged patients to drive the US market for hip resurfacing for next five years
• Cash rich and innovative companies to benefit in the current economic scenario
• Products related to women's health, minimally invasive surgery and home healthcare are set to garner special attention in 2009
• High volume and low value of deals will be a norm in the medical equipment mergers and acquisitions landscape in 2009

• The List of Biotechs Pulling Their IPOs Is Growing, But Companies Are Still Finding Alternatives

Companies are pulling the plug on their IPOs and turning to mergers, alliances and additional venture rounds instead. Read more

• Biotech Firms Face Cash Shortages

According to BIO, almost 40% of small and midsize public biotechnology companies in the U.S. are in danger of running out of cash within a year and government help is needed to encourage investment .... Read more

• Medco Sees Powerful Opportunity in Generic Biotech

More than $34 billion worth of biotechnology medicines could become available as generics in the United States between 2013-2017 if lawmakers approve a path for their approval ... Read more

• Hillcrest Venture Partners Aims to Invest in Early Stage Companies

When many investors decided to flee for safety in the current economic environment, a group of young venture capitalists started a new fund in Los Angeles called Hillcrest Venture Partners which which will focus on early stage technology and bioscience ventures. "While the economic climate is tumultuous now, we have a contrarian view and see the current environment as an unprecedented opportunity upon which we can capitalize," said Managing Director Darin Chen (photo right).

Contact:

Darin Chen, Managing Director
Hillcrest Venture Partners http://www.hillcrestvp.com
255 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1905, Los Angeles, CA  90012
Tel: (213) 621-4053
E-mail: darin[at]hillcrestvp[dot]com

• NeuroSystec (www.neurosystec.com)  Valencia, CA
  • Director of Engineering- Regular, Full-Time
  • Manager, Analytical Development - Regular, Full-Time
• Bioness (www.bioness.com)  Valencia, CA
  • Inside Sales - Customer Service - Regular, Full-Time (3 openings)
  • Customer Service Manager - Regular, Full-Time
  • Business Development Representative  -  Regular, Full-Time 
  • Clinical Specialists- Regular, Full-Time
  • Numerous positions across the United States and Canada for Physical or Occupational Therapists
  • Physical or Occupational Therapist for Valencia, CA headquarters
• Second Sight (www.2-sight.com)  Sylmar, CA
  • Sr. Software Engineer - Regular, Full-Time
• DermaPort (www.dermaport.com)  Valencia, CA
  • Principal Design Engineer - Regular, Full-Time
• Implanted Acoustics (www.implantedacoustics.com)  Valencia, CA
  • Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Regular, Full-Time

Click here to see details and submit resume

SoCalBio membership provides access to significant discounts on purchases of industrial and medical grdae-gas from Linde through the SoCalBio Group Purchasing Program designed for small and mid-size firms. Through the partnership with Linde, which is among the world's largest industrial gases organizations, SoCalBio members  are offered the following benefits: 

• Competitive, preferred, negotiated pricing on Linde's complete suite of gas products and gas application and related equipment, products, and services
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• Additional rebate available for referrals