Welcome to Fast News, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's weekly e-mail digest of the state's top biotechnology stories and events.
On Our Web Site
Pozen/GSK Migraine Treatment Continues Progress
http://tinyurl.com/2cozht
Meredith Workshop Concludes 20th Year of Teacher Training
http://tinyurl.com/ysmyuk
So Far, So Good for AlphaVax's Influenza Vaccine
http://tinyurl.com/2vv8ka
Duke Establishes National Center for Systems Biology
http://tinyurl.com/3b73zs
PPD Plans Further Expansion in Scotland
http://tinyurl.com/2mphoc
Charlotte Biotech Committee Launches
http://tinyurl.com/2u9z74
TranS1 Inc. Files IPO
http://tinyurl.com/2gemnp
Targacept Drug Development Deal Could Net $1.5 Billion
http://tinyurl.com/25vhql
Tranzyme Pharma Begins Phase IIb Clinical Trial
http://tinyurl.com/yr63fz
Biotechnology in the News
Salisbury Post Publishes Biotech 101 Section
Researchers Find Genetic Link to MS
"Dr. John Richert, executive vice president of research and clinical programs for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, say the discoveries could lead to new drugs in the five to 10 years."
From (Raleigh) News and Observer
Observers See Fight in Governor's Biotech Plan (Massachusetts)
Cites North Carolina's success with partnerships and collaborations.
"A key element of the billion-dollar biotech aid proposal Gov. Deval Patrick was to unveil yesterday at the Statehouse -- reinvigorating a Life Sciences Center to allocate money in ways industry experts think is appropriate -- is likely to be among the measure's most controversial components, insiders said."
From Boston Business Journal(registration required)
Glaxo Heads Down Tobacco Road
"Even tobacco companies can make the world a healthier place — or at least former units of them. Targacept, which was spun out of the research division of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco in 2000, announced Friday that it has struck a drug development deal with GlaxoSmithKline worth up to $1.5 billion if all milestones are met."
From Forbes.com (and Aug. 13 print edition)
Talecris Seeking $1B in IPO
"Talecris Biotherapeutics, a Research Triangle Park pharma, is seeking an infusion of as much as $1 billion by taking its stock public."
From Triangle Business Journal(registration required)
Is Cellulosic Ethanol in our Future?
"We use 140 billion gallons of gasoline and 40 billion gallons of diesel annually. Our petroleum dependence undermines climate security due to greenhouse gases. It also affects economic security, whereby no fuel=no trade of goods=no prosperity. "
From the Salisbury Post
Easley Signs State Budget That Includes Transfer Tax
"And the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, after wrangling between House and Senate budget leaders, got $3 million it had been seeking to fund new 'regional innovation centers' for research. The Biotech Center, along with the state Department of Agriculture, will help run the new North Carolina Biofuels Center in Oxford, which will receive $5 million."
From Triangle Business Journal
Hartsell Explains Vote on Funding for N.C. Research Campus
"Sen. Fletcher Hartsell was the only Republican member of the General Assembly to vote for the state budget and the $18 million in campus funding."
From Concord and Kannapolis Independent Tribune
Calendar of Events
Aug. 5-9
Vasculata 2007 (Chapel Hill)
More Information
Aug. 8
State of the Industry (Research Triangle Park)
More Information
Aug. 17
Research Day - Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology (Chapel Hill)
More Information
Aug. 20
Duke Bioinformatics Workshop (Durham)
More Information
Aug. 23
Clinical Trials- Setting The Stage For The Future(Durham)
More Information
Save the Date
Oct. 12
Sixth Annual Charlotte Biotechnology Conference (Charlotte)
Nov. 5
Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (Charlotte)
Nov. 7-8
Southeastern BIO Investor Forum (Pinehurst)
Announcements
This digest of Fast News was sent Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007. For the latest headlines on North Carolina's biotechnology industry, please visit our industry news page.
Manage your subscription online or respond to this e-mail.