BUSINESS Patents Block Competition, Slow Innovation in Gene Testing Exclusive licenses to gene patents, most of which are held by academic institutions and based on taxpayer-funded research, do more to block competition in the gene testing market than to spur the development of new technologies for gauging disease risk. [Duke University Press Release] RXi Pharmaceuticals Announces Formation of microRNA Research Collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with Mirna Therapeutics, to determine the utility of combining RXi's proprietary rxRNA™ technology with Mirna's microRNA mimics as potential therapeutics in oncology. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release] RXi Pharmaceuticals and miRagen Therapeutics Announce Formation of Research Collaboration in the Field of microRNA RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have entered into a research collaboration. Under this agreement, the parties will evaluate the potential utility of RXi's proprietary rxRNA(TM) technology against specific miRNA targets of interest to miRagen in the cardiac and neuromuscular disease areas. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation Press Release] The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Stem Cell Scientists Explore Treatments for Blood Disorders and Lung Diseases Stem cell scientists were awarded stimulus grants totaling almost $2 million to research experimental treatments for blood disorders and inherited lung diseases affecting children. [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Press Release] BioFocus Launches Four Compound Libraries Targeting Kinases and Protein-Protein Interactions BioFocus announced the launch of four biologically targeted libraries. These new libraries contain novel, drug-like compounds that specifically target kinases and protein-protein interactions. [BioFocus Press Release] Einstein Receives $10 Million National Institutes of Health Grant to Expand Stem Cell Research Facilities Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has been awarded $10 million from the National Institutes of Health to expand its stem cell research capabilities. [Albert Einstein College of Medicine Press Release] Stemgent and Pfizer Announce Collaboration Stemgent, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. announced a collaboration and research licensing agreement that will lead to certain research reagents developed or discovered by Pfizer being made available to the global research community through Stemgent. [Business Wire] Entest Biomedical Announces Intent to Acquire Medistem Entest BioMedical, Inc. announced that a Letter of Intent has been executed regarding the acquisition of approximately 61% of Medistem Inc. [MarketWire] Third Rock Ventures Eyes New $400 Million Fund Third Rock Ventures LLC, a venture capital firm based in Boston, plans to raise a $400 million investment fund, according to a document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. [Boston Business Journal] Bay Street Says Life Sciences Fare Better in United States Canadian life sciences companies that need to raise cash in capital markets are best served going south of the border for their financing needs, Bay Street specialty bankers said. [Reuters] Regenerative Medicine Company Wants Biobusiness Center Space A start-up biotech company will seek Rochester City Council approval to put a manufacturing facility in the Minnesota Biobusiness Center. [The Post-Bulletin] Quebec Biotechs in Tailspin Once Canada’s envy, and in the same league as Boston and San Francisco, Quebec’s biotechnology industry is a shadow of its former self and in danger of disappearing, observers say. [The Gazette] Working For A Biotech Start-Up Fledgling firms offer rewards that sometimes outweigh the risks of conducting high-stakes research on a fast track. [Chemical and Engineering News]
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