> The New York Times examines New York State's $43 million effort to develop a biotech hub on Long Island. Most of that money has gone into the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park on the Farmingdale State College campus. Report [1]
> ZymoGenetics has launched a Phase II/III study of Atacicept which it is developing with Merck KGaA as a new therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. Release [2]
> New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Pacific Channel Limited are partnering up to make new investments in New Zealand biotech companies. Report [3]
> American Oriental Bioengineering announced today that it has withdrawn its convertible preferred stock offering, citing market conditions. Release [4]
> Intercytex has closed recruitment for the Phase III trial of ICX-PRO in venous leg ulcers. Report [5]
> Anti-trust officials have given Intercell AG an early green light for its planned acquisition of Iomai. Report [6]
> Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella has a knack for the quotable quote. Here's the latest: "Teva is better than we are, and that's hard to take." Report [7]
> In a development sure to spawn headlines across the country, the FDA is looking into a possible link between autoimmune drugs such as Remicade and Humira--known as TNF blockers for their action against tumor necrosis factor--and childhood cancers. Report [8]
> Are new warnings on their way for epilepsy meds? The FDA and drugmakers are hashing out the issue. Report [9]
> The AIDS Vaccine Research Subcommittee of the NIH has OK'd a new AIDS vaccine trial, prompting some skeptics to caution against plunging back into trials so soon after a Merck program misfired. Report [10]
> Switzerland's Mymetics says that its experimental malaria vaccine could be ready for marketing as early as 2014. Report [11]
And Finally... Scientists have been studying the genetic reason why some members of four Turkish families can only walk on all fours. Release [12]
Links:
[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/realestate/commercial/04bio.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/zymogenetics-and-merck-serono-initiate-second-phase-2-3-clinical-study-atacicept-lupu
[3] http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0806/S00084.htm
[4] http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/american-oriental-bioengineering-announces-that-it-withdraws-convertible-preferred-stock-offering,421404.shtml
[5] http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/FREE/438730385/-1/Breaking/-/-/intercytex-no-longer-taking-patients-in-drug-trial
[6] http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/05/afx5083155.html
[7] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/vasella-teva-better-we-are/2008-06-05
[8] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/fda-checks-arthritis-meds-child-cancer-link/2008-06-05
[9] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/fda-may-slap-warning-epilepsy-meds/2008-06-04
[10] http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com/vaccines/story/planned-aids-vaccine-trial-raises-concerns/2008-06-05
[11] http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com/vaccines/story/mymetics-outlines-malaria-vaccine-approval-timeline/2008-06-05
[12] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/genetic-mutation-linked-walking-all-fours