Sangamo BioSciences

Sangamo buoyed by positive mid-stage data

John Carroll — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:10:30 -0400

Shares of Sangamo BioSciences were buoyed by positive preliminary data from a small mid-stage study of SB-509. The drug is being tested as a therapy for severe diabetic neuropathy. In the study, five of the eight patients being treated with the experimental therapy reported better nerve potential after about six months of treatment. One of four patients in a control arm reported the same improvement. Analysts saw it as a positive indication of what they may see in the fourth quarter, when Sangamo will deliver results for a study of SB-509 involving 110 patients.

"Such early improvement in severely affected population has never been reported and suggests that SB-509 has novel regenerative potential for the reversal of nerve damage in severe (diabetic peripheral neuropathy)," the company said.

- read the AP report

ALSO NOTED: Genta places notes;Vaccine research blasts off; and much more...

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Genta announced that it has struck definitive agreements with investors to place senior secured convertible notes due in 2010 totaling in aggregate up to $40 million in gross proceeds before fees and expenses. Release

> A Lehman Brothers analyst is bullish on Regeneron's cancer drug aflibercept, saying it compares well to Avastin. That opinion came after investors shaved 20 percent off the value of Regeneron shares after seeing disappointing data for ovarian cancer. Report

> The biotech start-up Iatrica is moving into new space at the John G. Rangos Building in East Baltimore. The building opened in April. Story

> Sangamo BioSciences has completed patient enrollment into its Phase II clinical trial in subjects with moderate to severe diabetic neuropathy. Release

> Topical applications of a naturally occurring fat molecule have the potential to slow down skin aging, whether through natural causes or damage, researchers report. Release

And Finally... Vaccine research is heading to outer space. Report

SPOTLIGHT: Sangamo targets gene manipulation

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:53 -0400

Forbes has highlighted the development work of Sangamo BioSciences, which has a "hefty" pipeline of drug candidates in development that use zinc-finger DNA binding proteins to manipulate genes for a number of diseases which currently can't be treated. Report

Sangamo shares leap on stem cell tech advance

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:59:58 -0400

Shares of Sangamo BioSciences leapt more than 12 percent--to a 52-week high--after researchers published a new study in Nature Biotechnology indicating that its technology could be used to modify the genomes in stem cells. The science could be used to create stem cell lines that mimic disease, a big advance in medical research. Stem cells could also be modified in order to treat disease.

"This is a significant advance for both research and the potential therapeutic use of stem cells," stated Dr. Naldini, a senior author of the study. "Stem cells are the body's natural resource for regeneration and repair and the ability to efficiently add a therapeutic gene into the genome of a cell at a predetermined location or to correct a mutated gene in a patient's stem cells may enable us to provide a long term solution for many genetic diseases."

- see Sangamo's release
- check out the AFX report

Related Articles:
Senate renews battle over stem cell funding. Report
Scientists reprogram mature cells to act embryonic. Report