Industry & Company Headlines

2007 Medical Device Industry Snapshots
  (Published MD&DI Dec. 2007)

• Finance: Device Sector Sees Off-the-Charts Venture Capital Investment
• Manufacturing: Significant Medical Device Industry Growth Driven by VC Dollars
• Recent Developments Across the Industry
• Fastest Growing Medical Device Firms
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Growing Companies Fuel Device Industry M&A Activity
• Regulatory: Med Device Sector Sees Increased MDUFMA Activity, but Decisions are Still Slow
• International: Manufacturing and Technology Innovation is Critical for Europe
• Salary Survey: Demand for medical device professionals remains strong 
• Highest Paid Device CEOs

Stem Cell News

• CIRM Chairman Proposes Plans for a $750 Million Biotech Bank to Support Cash-Starved California Biotechs, Particularly Stem Cell Firms
  The biotech "bank" is the brainchild of Robert Klein, chairman of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. This loan program will be discussed during ICOC's meeting in Los Angeles on Dec. 11, from 4 to 6 pm, at the Luxe Hotel... read more

• Southern California Institutions to Collaborate on Stem Cell Research
  Research institutions across Southern California have joined forces to advance stem cell research by establishing the Southern California Stem Cell Scientific Collaboration (SC3). Members of the collaboration include the University of Southern California, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, City of Hope, University of California, Santa Barbara, California Institute of Technology and the House Ear Institute ... read more

Featured SoCalBio Member

• Agensys (Santa Monica):
  Biotech Startup Engineers Big Japanese Buyout
  Santa Monica-based Agensys Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by the U.S. subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc. for $387 million up front. Agensys’ shareholders could receive up to $150 million more if the company meets certain milestones while developing its cancer drugs. The deal is considered the largest in this decade for an L.A.-based private biotech. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the month, pending approvals by regulators and shareholders .. read more

Company News

• Abviva:
  • Genesis Bioventures Announces Name Change to Abviva
• Advanced Cell Technology:
  • Advanced Cell Technology Seeking International Partners for Its Therapeutic Programs 
• Advanced Medical Optics:
  • AMO Announces Election of Daniel J. Heinrich, G. Mason Morfit to Board of Directors
• Allergan:
  • Allergan Announces New Board Member; Dawn Hudson Appointed
  • Botox Faces Worry Lines In Smooth Skin Game 
• Amgen:
  • Amgen study shows romiplostim boosts platelets 
• Avanir Pharmaceuticals:
  • AVANIR Enrolls First Patient in Confirmatory Phase III Trial of Zenvia
• Beckman Coulter:
  • Beckman Coulter Collaborates for Cardiovascular Disease Markers 
• Biosense Webster:
  • Advanced Imaging Integration Module Now Available for Cardiac Arrhythmias
• CoreValve:
  • CoreValve named a ''Red Herring 100 Global Award'' winner as ''one of the top-100 tech start-ups in the world'
• Cougar Biotechnology:
  • Cougar Announces Move to The NASDAQ 
• Edwards Lifesciences:
  • Analysts Mixed on Edwards LifeStent Sale
• John Wayne Cancer Institute:
  • Allovectin-7(R) May Offer Patients a New Option for Advanced Melanoma
• LifeModeler:
  • LifeModeler, Inc. is New Name for Biomechanics Research Group, Inc.
• USC Brain and Creativity Institute
  • Dana and David Dornsife donate $1 million to fund the USC Brain and Creativity Institute
• Watson Pharmaceuticals:
  • Watson Pharma, Novartis Settle Suit
• Xcorporeal: 
  • Xcorporeal's Common Stock Approved For Listing on the American Stock Exchange
• Xencor:
  • Xencor Presents Data from Pre-clinical XmAb(TM) Antibody Studies
  • Xencor Presents Findings on New Aspect of its Fc Technology Targeting Autoimmune Disease