> North Carolina lawmakers have boosted their support of the biotech field, adding $83 million to support research, training and manufacturing initiatives. Report
> The Petra Group in Kuala Lumpur is in talks to create a new biotech company devoted to biophotonics with the University of St. Andrews. Report
> Dr. Giuseppe Giaccone has presented the final results from a positive double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial with talactoferrin alfa in non-small cell lung cancer. This was the second successful, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with oral talactoferrin in NSCLC. The first was with talactoferrin in combination with first-line chemotherapy. Release
> ProMetic Life Sciences will garner $2 million over the next 12 months in upfront fees and milestones after inking a deal with Kedrion to develop two hyperimmunes. Release
> Lotus Pharmaceuticals has raised $5 million in a private placement. Release
> In a study that may change the way that cancer drugs are developed and prescribed, scientists have determined that genetic mutations are different in every cancer patient, suggesting that drugs will need to be "tailored" for small groups. Report
> The International Stem Cell Forum is meeting in San Francisco, bringing together 21 stem cell research institutes and representatives from 19 countries to review such issues as the moral and ethical guidelines needed for research and the registry of ESCs lines. Report
> High rainfall, biodiversity and rapidly growing populations are considered breeding grounds for new outbreaks of diseases like SARS and Ebola. Report
And Finally… Patients most likely to benefit from genetic testing are either avoiding it altogether or paying for it themselves to keep hereditary disease out of their health records--and most importantly, off the books of their insurers. Report