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SoCalBio Weekly Update

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 Utilize AT Conference for Phone and Web Conferencing
 
SoCalBio's Group Purchasing Committee is pleased to announce that AT Conference was selected to provide member companies with phone and web conferencing services at significant discounts. Click to see benefits and enroll (must be a SoCalBio member company or organization)
Great Savings - SoCalBio Special Rate of 5¢/minute
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Past Weekly Updates
Looking for Vendors to Help You With HR Issues
 
Lab Equipment for Sale
 
Click here for a list of lab equipment available for sale by NeuroGeneration (Los Angeles)
Available for Lease
Wet Lab Space
House Ear Institute (Los Angeles) offers several thousand square feet of laboratory and laboratory support space for short to medium-term lease at competitive rents. This is ideal for startups and early-stage companies. Learn more
Momentum Weekend for Women in Life Sciences
 
June 11-14 2009
 Keck Graduate Institute
 
Learn more
Recommended Events
 
MDMA Annual Meeting
June 1 - 3 
 
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Register Now
  May 11, 2009

Coming This Fall
Thanks to Lead SoCalBio Sponsor
  

RSVP Now for SoCalBio Events

Visit the Southern California Biomedical Council at the California Life Science Industry Alliance's Booth at the May 18 - 21, 2009 BIO International Convention in Atlanta, GA (Booth Number: 4033 - California Pavilion)

From the Lab Bench

UCLA scientists Study How Interlukin 21 Keeps Chronic Infection in Check

The research team led by David Brooks (photo right), assistant professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, looked at two types of T-cells - CD4 T-cells and CD8 T-cells - which are immune cells that play an important role in the body's response to infection. The CD4 T-cells help the immune system by producing IL-21 during chronic infection, bolstering the CD8 T-cells' ability to fight off the virus... Read more
 
UC Santa Barbara Research Team Sheds Light on Inner Workings of Human Embryonic Stem Cells; Findings Expected to Help Cancer Research
 
"We have found an element in the cell that controls 'pluripotency,' that is the ability of the human embryonic stem cell to differentiate or become almost any cell in the body," said lead researcher Kenneth Kosik (photo right), professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology. Kosik's research shows that a microRNA -- a single-stranded RNA whose function is to decrease gene expression -- lowers the activity of three key ingredients in the recipe for embryonic stem cells. This microRNA is known as miR-145. The discovery may have implications for improving the efficiency of methods designed to reprogram differentiated cells into embryonic stem cell-like cells .... Read more

Clinical Studies

Second Sight (Sylmar, Calif.) to Double Patient Enrollment for Argus II Retinal Implant U.S. Clinical Trial

"We are pleased that the FDA has approved our request for increased enrollment of the U.S. cohort of our international clinical trial," said Robert Greenberg, MD, PhD (photo right), President and CEO of Second Sight. "We expect this data to continue to demonstrate a good safety profile with significant efficacy improvements and to move us one step closer to European and US market approvals" ... Read more

Newsmakers

William Link of Versant Ventures Elected to Edwards Lifesciences' Board of Directors

"We are proud to add someone with Dr. Link's financial, management and industry experience to our already strong board of directors and believe his background complements the group well," said Michael A. Mussallem, Edwards' chairman and CEO. ... Read more

Botox

Allergan CEO Defends Botox from New Challenger

Allergan CEO David Pyott (photo right) works to protect blockbuster Botox from new challenger amid tough economy. He stressed that Botox and Dysport are not interchangeable because the drugs are dosed and injected differently... Read more

New Products

Edwards Lifesciences Receives FDA Approval for New Heart Valve

The new Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna Ease aortic valve is designed for easier implantation in the heart. The valve includes a low profile and smooth commissure posts to ease insertion through small incisions or small aortic roots... Read more

M&As

Valeant Acquires a Polish Derma Company for $28M

The Aliso Viejo-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals has forked over $28 million to acquire EMO-FARM, a Poland-based dermatology company. Valeant says EMO-FARM is an expert in topical products, and also brings with it a portfolio of marketed and investigational products. As part of the transaction, Valeant will also acquire a 13,000 square foot manufacturing plant completed earlier this year that specializes in gels, creams and ointments. ... Read more

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

About SoCalBio
SoCalBio membership links you to partners, contract manufacturers, regulatory and legal experts, and policy makers. The organization's programs help emerging biotech and medical device companies grow. Membership is affordable -- as low as $500 -- and offers access to networking opportunities, advocacy, discounts through our group purchasing program group purchasing program and other benefits you simply can't find elsewhere ... Join SoCalBio 
 
Editor: Ahmed A. Enany
Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio)