• USC Structural Biologists Reveal the Workings of Nicotine Rush
  In a study published in Nature Neuroscience online, the USC team of Cosma Dellisanti (left), Lin Chen, (middle), and Zuo-Zhong Wang (right), proposes a role for sugar as the hinge that opens a gate in the cell membrane and brings news of nicotine’s arrival.

Studies

• Number of Published Science and Engineering Articles Flattens, But U.S. Influence Remains Strong
  A new National Science Foundation (NSF) report finds the number of U.S. science and engineering (S&E) articles in major peer-reviewed journals flattened in the 1990s, after more than two decades of growth, but U.S. influence in world science and technology remains strong.

Company News

• Simulations Plus Releases ADMET Predictor(TM) Version 2.3
• Advanced Medical Optics Set to Re-Enter Multipurpose Solution Market in August
• Xencor Data Published in Journal of Immunology Demonstrate Selectivity of New Class of Inhibitors for Inflammatory Disease
• North American Scientific Introduces BATCAM Multi-Probe Ultrasound Image Guided Radiation Therapy Solution
• Depomed Enters into Promotion Agreement with Watson Pharmaceuticals for ProQuin(R) XR
• Abraxis BioScience and Biocon Limited Announce Licensing Agreement for G-CSF in North America and the European Union
• Phenomenex, Inc., a Global Leader in Separation Sciences, Wins the R&D 100 Award for Breakthrough in Gas Chromatography
• FDA Panel to Discuss Amgen, J&J Anemia Drugs
• Cougar Biotechnology Announces Allowance of IND for CB3304 (Noscapine)
• Advanced Medical Optics Receives FDA Approval for Advanced CustomVue(TM) Monovision Procedure for the Treatment of Presbyopic Myopes
• Biocatalytics is acquired by CODEXIS of Redwood City, California

Who Raised Capital Lately?

• Precision Dynamics Gets $75 Million
  San Fernando, Calif.-based Precision Dynamics Corp. has received $75 million in equity financing from Water Street Healthcare Partners.

Legislative Watch

• On July 18, House Committee Approved Patent Reform Bill
  A patent reform bill opposed by the drug industry but supported by the technology sector was cleared for a vote by the full U.S. House of Representatives

• On July 19, Senate Panel Approved Patent Reform Bill Opposed by Drugmakers
  The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved its version of a patent reform bill that differs slightly from a House committee

• The U.S. Senate will Vote Today on The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (S. 358)
   This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. The House's version (H.R.493) passed 420-3 on April 25.

SoCalBio Group Purchasing Program
 Orientation Meeting
August 9, 2007 
Kaiser Permannte's new facility in Irvine
6650 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618
Free for Members
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 SoCalBio 52^nd  Networking Forum
August 30, 2007 
Location: TBA
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SoCalBio (Formerly LINC's)
Fall  Golf Classic

Click for more information

September 24, 2007 
Marbella Country Club, San Juan Capistrano
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• SoCalBio is now hiring a director of membership & strategic relations to be based in its Orange County Office. See Job Description

• Osmetech Molecular Diagnostics of Pasadena is hiring a senior director of quality assurance. Click here for job description

• USC Stevens has these two open positions:
  • Associate Director of Licensing  
  • Licensing  Associate

See list of open positions:
http://www.socalbio.org/career_center/jobs.htm

• Master of Bioscience Degree @ Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences
  • Contact: Diana Bartlett
    Director of Corporate Partnerships
    Diana_Bartlett@kgi.edu
• USC Master's in Regulatory Science 
  • Contact: Frances Richmond
    Director, Regulatory and Clinical Science
    fjr@usc.edu
• UCI Medical Product Development Certificate Program
  • Contact:Rogelio Rodriguez
    Director, Engineering and Science Programs
    Rogelio.Rodriguez@unx.uci.edu
• UCI Clinical Trials Certificate Program
  • Contact: Rogelio Rodriguez
    Director, Engineering and Science Programs
    Rogelio.Rodriguez@unx.uci.edu