Canadian biotech firms decreased 10% last year; Mirina raises $3.9M;

 @FierceBiotech: PhDs face a tough job market as biotechs get lean and mean. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech 

 @JohnCFierce: I'm getting shout-outs from other cancer vax developers on Provenge. Makes it easier for all when the pioneer gets a win. | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Canada's biotech sector took a hit last year, as the number of Canadian firms dropped about 10 percent, a report released Thursday revealed. Report

> Mirina, the microRNA drug developer at Accelerator, raised $3.9 million in its "expansion round" of financing that was reported earlier this week, according to a regulatory filing. Story

> Galantos Pharma successfully finalized its C financing round to bring its leading compound Memogain for Alzheimer's Dementia into the clinic and to develop novel neuroprotective AD compounds. Galantos release

> ERBI, the not-for-profit membership company for international life science and healthcare companies, and the London Biotechnology Network, the business network for London-based life science organisations, have today announced a merger. Item

> New Leaf Venture Partners announced today the closing of the second tranche of a $26 million investment in Oxford Immunotec, a leading manufacturer and marketer of T cell-based diagnostic tests. Release

> The largest biotech employers are adding hundreds of jobs as they advance new products and bring new facilities online, and companies that provide outsourced services for life sciences companies are seeing growth due in part to increasing pressure from investors to cut costs and run lean. Report

And Finally... A delegation of about 40 Chinese biotech company leaders and investors are in St. Louis this week, looking for potential business and partnering opportunities. Story