Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

A small biotech firm in Orange County is going up against a major company over the rights to a popular genetic test that can detect breast cancer.

Myriad Genetics of Salt Lake City last week filed a lawsuit against Ambry Genetics of Aliso Viejo and a Houston company after both rushed to offer the test immediately following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that human genes cannot be patented.

The high court declared in a case involving Myriad that genes are a product of nature and cannot be claimed as a type of private property. The landmark decision was being watched closely by medical researchers, patient advocates and biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Ambry had been anticipating the ruling and quickly seized on it, starting to offer its test within days of the decision and proclaiming "your genes are still free" with a photo of the Supreme Court Building underneath it on the company's website. It even has plans to put the image on T-shirts.

There were no problems for a few weeks. But, now the future appears less clear amid the looming legal fight. Ambry, which launched in 1999 and has 200 employees, said it would "vigorously defend" itself against the suit.

"The Supreme Court ruled on exactly this," said Charles Dunlop, Ambry chief executive. "I don't know what they're doing other than just bullying people."

But Myriad said the lawsuit has nothing to do with the high court's decision on gene patenting. Instead, the company said it focused on 10 patent violations in Ambry's testing methods. It made the same accusations against the Houston company, Gene by Gene.

There is increasing interest from consumers in breast cancer tests, especially since actress Angelina Jolie announced she underwent a double mastectomy based on the findings of such a test.

In cases in which a family member has a positive test result, the analysis will look for the mutation. If there is no family history, it will look at the entire sequence of two genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Until last month Myriad held a monopoly on the test because it owned the patenting rights to the two genes.

At stake are billions of dollars in sales.

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O.C. biotech firm is sued by major rival over breast cancer test

LOS ANGELES, July 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient's response to cancer therapy, today announced that it has extended its agreement with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to provide testing and analyses services for specified molecular markers used in research, diagnosis and the therapeutic treatment of cancer.

Under the terms of the agreement, Response Genetics will receive a minimum of $950,000 for services provided during the extended term of January 1 through December 31, 2013.

"Response Genetics has and continues to provide Taiho with a comprehensive portfolio of gene expression assays and we are pleased to extend this relationship," said Thomas Bologna, Chairman and CEO of Response Genetics. "Response Genetics and Taiho share a commitment to provide services that foster the development of patient-centered medical treatment and we believe that the testing services resulting from this collaboration will yield actionable results important to patient care."

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the "Company") is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company's principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company's headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit http://www.responsegenetics.com.

About Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Taiho Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. is an R&D-driven specialty pharma focusing on the three fields of oncology, allergies and immunology, and urology. In the field of oncology in particular, Taiho Pharmaceutical is known as a leading company in Japan and around the world for developing innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer. In areas other than oncology, as well, the company creates quality products that effectively treat medical conditions and can help improve people's quality of life. The company was established in 1963 and its headquarters is located in Tokyo, Japan.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX(R) products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as "project," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.

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Response Genetics Renews Agreement With Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to Provide Molecular Analyses for Cancer

Child with Rare #39;Bubble Baby #39; Syndrome Trials World #39;s First Cure
Child with Rare #39;Bubble Baby #39; Syndrome Trials World #39;s First Cure SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/Oc61Hj A BABY born without an immune system is trialling a world-fi...

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Child with Rare 'Bubble Baby' Syndrome Trials World's First Cure - Video

Gene scientists on Wednesday said that in lab-dish cells, they had found a way to switch off the rogue chromosome that causes Down's syndrome.

The breakthrough opens up the tantalising goal of therapy for Down's, they said, cautioning that years of work lie ahead before this aim is reached -- if, in fact, it is attainable.

Down's syndrome is the world's leading genetically caused mental disease, accounting for around one in 600 live births in the United States.

It also carries with it a heightened risk of heart defects, leukaemia, immune-system malfunction and premature Alzheimer's disease.

The disease, formally called trisomy 21, is caused by an additional chromosome 21, which has a cascade of unexplained impacts on brain development and body function.

Acting on a hunch, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School reported that they had inserted a gene into this unwanted third chromosome and, in effect, used it like an off switch.

It is the first time that correction has been achieved for an entire chromosome, a coil of DNA that is studded with hundreds of genes, the protein-making codes to build and sustain life.

"Our hope is that for individuals living with Down's syndrome this proof-of-principle opens up multiple exciting new avenues for studying the disorder now, and brings into the realm of consideration research on the concept of 'chromosome therapy' in the future," said Jeanne Lawrence, a professor of cell and developmental biology.

People without Down's are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes, including two sex chromosomes, which pair up as two X chromosomes for females and an X and Y chromosome for males.

The team noted that, in early female embryos, a special gene called XIST comes into play, silencing one of the two X chromosomes so that they do not over-function.

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Lab success: Chromosome for Down's is switched off

July 17, 2013 Gene therapy researchers have produced a bioengineered decoy that fools the immune system and prevents it from mistakenly defeating the benefits delivered by a corrective gene. The decoy was effective in animal studies, and if the approach succeeds in humans, it offers a potential new treatment for genetic diseases such as hemophilia, while advancing the broader field of gene therapy.

"This decoy strategy could be individualized to patients and could greatly expand the population of patients who may benefit from gene therapy," said study leader Katherine A. High, M.D., director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics (CCMT) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Right now, 30 to 60 percent of adult patients develop antibodies that block the ability of an intravenously infused vector to reach the target cells in the liver. This approach holds the promise of overcoming this roadblock -- pre-existing antibodies -- and allowing successful intravenous gene therapy in virtually all adult patients."

High and co-corresponding author Federico Mingozzi, Ph.D., formerly of Children's Hospital, published the team's study today in Science Translational Medicine.

High, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, has led pioneering investigations of gene therapy at Children's Hospital for the inherited bleeding disorder hemophilia and other diseases.

Previously, in clinical trials, High used adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector -- a delivery vehicle -- to ferry a corrective DNA sequence to patients with a mutation causing hemophilia B, the second most common form of the disease. The delivered gene enables the patient to produce a needed blood-clotting factor.

AAV does not cause human disease, but because we are routinely exposed to this virus, 30 to 60 percent of people develop antibodies that neutralize AAV if it enters the circulation. To extend the potential benefits of gene therapy to a broader population, researchers have long sought ways to better manage this immune response. The decoy strategy could solve this challenge for any disease in which vectors must be delivered through the circulation.

The current study by High and colleagues relies on a capsid, the protein shell surrounding a virus. Following in vitro studies in human serum, the researchers injected empty AAV capsids along with gene therapy vectors into a mouse model. The anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies bound to the capsid decoys, allowing the DNA-carrying vectors to evade the antibodies and enter the targeted cells in the liver.

The study team next engineered the capsids to disable their ability to enter target cells. This prevented the capsids from triggering a second immune response, from T cells, that also could eliminate the corrective genes. The gene therapy was safe and effective in rhesus macaque monkeys, which produced higher levels of clotting factor, with no adverse effects.

"Our results, which held up over a range of doses, suggest that in clinical studies, it will be feasible to adjust the ratio of empty capsids to gene vector doses, depending on an individual's pre-existing level of neutralizing antibodies," said High. "That means we could personalize gene therapy to make it more efficient for each patient."

"This work should make it possible to bring effective gene therapy to most adults with severe hemophilia B," High continued. "Each patient would receive a personalized final formulation that contains just the right amount of empty capsid to neutralize any pre-existing antibody, and allow the gene-expressing vector to reach the liver."

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Empty decoys divert antibodies from neutralizing gene therapy in cell, animal studies

Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Atrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2
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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Atrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2 - Video

Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Autism by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2
Improvement seen in just 7 months after Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Autism by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. After Stem Cell Therapy 1. Emotional respons...

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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Autism by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2 - Video

Freeport, Bahamas (PRWEB) July 17, 2013

Okyanos Heart Institute, whose mission it is to bring a new standard of care and better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy, has named Leslie Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C. as its chief science officer. Dr. Miller is a leading heart failure specialist and experienced thought leader in cardiac stem cell therapy. He is director of the University of South Florida (USF) Heart Institute, professor of cardiovascular sciences at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and was formerly the director of cardiology at Georgetown University. Dr. Miller has been an investigator in over 80 clinical trials.

The use of adult stem cells derived from adipose (fat) tissue to treat congestive heart failure has the potential to change the game for the millions of patients suffering from this disease, said Miller. These stem and regenerative cells have been shown to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, are anti-inflammatory and prevent at-risk cells from dying. These combined mechanisms can provide important therapeutic benefit to heart failure patients.

As a current member of Okyanos medical advisory council, Dr. Miller has actively advised us on patients criteria for cardiac stem cell therapy, says Okyanos Chief Medical Officer Howard Walpole. In this additional role as Chief Science Officer, he will be evaluating new research protocols and reporting on findings from the patient registry that will help advance the field of cardiac stem cell therapy. His experience and track record in leading academic research is outstanding. This integrated approach in research and clinical application in The Bahamas makes Okyanos Heart Institute one of the first places patients can receive new treatments.

Dr. Leslie Miller is a well-respected visionary in the field of cardiovascular disease says Okyanos CEO Matt Feshbach. This role will further advance our quality measures and the structure of our patient registry. We look forward to his contribution to improving the lives of patients using adult stem cells derived from their own fat tissue who, up until now, have exhausted their options with conventional treatments.

ABOUT OKYANOS HEART INSTITUTE: (Oh key AH nos) Based in Freeport, The Bahamas, Okyanos Heart Institutes mission is to bring a new standard of care and a better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy. Okyanos adheres to U.S. surgical center standards and is led by Chief Medical Officer Howard T. Walpole Jr., M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.A.I. Okyanos Treatment utilizes a unique blend of stem and regenerative cells derived from ones own adipose (fat) tissue. The cells, when placed into the heart via a minimally-invasive catheterization, stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. The treatment facilitates blood flow in the heart and supports intake and use of oxygen (as demonstrated in rigorous clinical trials such as the PRECISE trial). The literary name Okyanos (Oceanos) symbolizes flow. For more information, go to http://www.okyanos.com/.

NEW MEDIA CONTENT: Okyanos LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/company/okyanos-heart-institute

Okyanos Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OKYANOS

Okyanos Twitter page: https://twitter.com/#!/OkyanosHeart

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Dr. Leslie Miller Named Chief Science Officer of Okyanos Heart Institute's Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for ...

DUBLIN, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dhdp3r/cell_therapy) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Cell Therapy - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their offering.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130307/600769 )

This report describes and evaluates cell therapy technologies and methods, which have already started to play an important role in the practice of medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is replacing the old fashioned bone marrow transplants. Role of cells in drug discovery is also described. Cell therapy is bound to become a part of medical practice.

Stem cells are discussed in detail in one chapter. Some light is thrown on the current controversy of embryonic sources of stem cells and comparison with adult sources. Other sources of stem cells such as the placenta, cord blood and fat removed by liposuction are also discussed. Stem cells can also be genetically modified prior to transplantation.

Cell therapy technologies overlap with those of gene therapy, cancer vaccines, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Pharmaceutical applications of stem cells including those in drug discovery are also described. Various types of cells used, methods of preparation and culture, encapsulation and genetic engineering of cells are discussed. Sources of cells, both human and animal (xenotransplantation) are discussed. Methods of delivery of cell therapy range from injections to surgical implantation using special devices.

Cell therapy has applications in a large number of disorders. The most important are diseases of the nervous system and cancer which are the topics for separate chapters. Other applications include cardiac disorders (myocardial infarction and heart failure), diabetes mellitus, diseases of bones and joints, genetic disorders, and wounds of the skin and soft tissues.

Regulatory and ethical issues involving cell therapy are important and are discussed. Current political debate on the use of stem cells from embryonic sources (hESCs) is also presented. Safety is an essential consideration of any new therapy and regulations for cell therapy are those for biological preparations.

The cell-based markets were analyzed for 2012, and projected to 2022. The markets are analyzed according to therapeutic categories, technologies and geographical areas. The largest expansion will be in diseases of the central nervous system, cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Skin and soft tissue repair as well as diabetes mellitus will be other major markets.

The number of companies involved in cell therapy has increased remarkably during the past few years. More than 500 companies have been identified to be involved in cell therapy and 287 of these are profiled in part II of the report along with tabulation of 273 alliances. Of these companies, 158 are involved in stem cells. Profiles of 72 academic institutions in the US involved in cell therapy are also included in part II along with their commercial collaborations. The text is supplemented with 55 Tables and 12 Figures. The bibliography contains 1,050 selected references, which are cited in the text.

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Cell Therapy - Technologies, Markets and Companies - Updated 2013 with New Companies and Profiles

(CBS News) For a while, experts have known there's a genetic component to obesity -- but a new study helps explain how it works.

The research finds people with the "obesity gene" are likely to have more of a hormone that makes them hungry. It's called the "hunger hormone," or ghrelin, and could change how doctors treat overweight patients.

Willpower not at fault in failed diets? What hormone study says

This research is really important at a time when, according to the CDC, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, $147 billion is spent annually on medical costs and 2.8 million people die each year of obesity.

Doctors have known about the hormone for about 12 years, but what's important is that the research links the common variation in the gene with ghrelin.

"There are a couple of ways that it could help us," explained Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the weight control program at New York Presbyterian, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, on "CBS This Morning." "Number one when we do research studies, we look at everybody as the same. We know one in six people have this gene. These people may respond differently to the treatment. It's already been shown that people with this gene respond differently to bariatric surgery. Now we may know why."

The research will allow doctors to predict if people will respond positively to certain weight-loss treatments. Also, people who have the gene struggle more with dieting and could be better candidates for surgery.

Additionally, Aronne said some people with increased levels of this hormone benefit from eating a high protein diet.

While testing for this hormone is not readily available, Aronne said that he believes in the next few years doctors will be able to test patients easily and treat them accordingly.

For Dr. Louis Aronne's full interview, watch the video in the player above.

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"Hunger hormone" study sheds light on obesity

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter Latest Diet & Weight Management News

MONDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have discovered a potential genetic explanation for why some people overeat and run a greater risk for obesity.

People who carry two copies of a variant form of the "FTO" gene are more likely to feel hungry soon after eating a meal, because they carry higher levels of the hunger-producing hormone ghrelin in their bloodstream, an international team of scientists found.

What's more, brain scans revealed this double FTO gene variant changes the way in which the brain reacts to food and ghrelin. People with the double variant displayed different neural responses in the brain region known to regulate appetite and the pleasure/reward center that normally responds to alcohol and recreational drug use.

About one in every six people carries two copies of this FTO gene variant. These folks are 70 percent more likely to become obese than people who carry other versions of FTO gene, according to background information in the study published July 15 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

"We've known for a while that variations in the FTO gene are strongly linked with obesity, but until now we didn't know why," said lead author Dr. Rachel Batterham. "What this study shows us is that individuals with two copies of the obesity-risk FTO variant are biologically programmed to eat more."

Evolution may be responsible for the existence of this double variant in so many people.

"For the majority of the time that humans have existed food has been scarce. Having this genetic variant would have conferred a survival advantage," said Batterham, head of obesity and bariatric services and director of Center for Obesity Research at University College London Hospitals.

The researchers first asked a group of 20 men -- 10 with the double variant, and 10 with a version of the FTO gene linked to lower obesity risk -- to rate their hunger before and after a meal. Blood samples were taken to test their levels of ghrelin, a hormone secreted by the stomach that stimulates appetite.

Ghrelin levels normally increase before meals and fall afterward, but researchers found the men with the double FTO variant had much higher ghrelin levels after a meal and felt hungrier after eating than men who had the variation that carries lower obesity risk.

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Could a Gene Help Make You Obese?

July 16, 2013

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online

A gene mutation previously linked to obesity causes people to have elevated levels of a hunger hormone in their blood, causing their appetite to return shortly after eating, according to new research appearing in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The variant, which occurs in what is known as the FTO gene, has also been linked to increased activity in regions of the brain linked to appetite control and reward when shown pictures of appealing food, researchers from University College London (UCL) have discovered.

According to Telegraph Science Correspondent Nick Collins, their findings could help explain why individuals with this high-risk variant have larger appetites and tend to consume higher calorie foods.

The scientists studied 359 male patients who either had two copies of the high-risk FTO gene, or two copies of a genetic variant believed to be associated with a low risk of obesity. Levels of the hunger hormone, which is known as ghrelin, typically fall after eating and remove a persons feelings of hunger, Collins said.

However, blood samples from 20 of the study participants showed those with the variation did not suppress the hormone like usual. The researchers also conducted a series of post-meal brain scans which also showed men with the high-risk genes found pictures of fatty foods more appealing than low-risk patients.

In addition to solving the mystery of how the genetic variant can increase obesity risk, the study could help researchers develop treatments that target ghrelin in order to help reduce weight gain, explained BBC News Health and Science Reporter James Gallagher.

There is a strong family link with obesity, and a persons genetic code is thought to play a major role in the risk of them becoming overweight, Gallagher said. People have two copies of the FTO gene one from each parent and each copy comes in a high and a low-risk form. Those with two-high risk copies of the FTO gene are thought to be 70 percent more likely to become obese than those with low-risk genes. But no-one knew why.

The link between the FTO gene variant and increased risk of obesity was first described in the journal Science back in 2007. However, UCLs Rachel Batterham, the leader of the new study, told Reuters reporter Ben Hirschler their research shows the mutation is actually a double hit because of the way it increases both ghrelin levels and the brains sensitivity to the chemical.

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Researchers Discover How Genetic Mutation Leads To Obesity

Film about island food security screens today

The Guam Humanities Council, as part of project I Tano yan I Tasi, Land and Sea -- Ecological Literacy on the U.S. Pacific Island of Guam, presents a screening of "Islands at Risk: Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i" at the Hagta Community/Senior Center 6 p.m. July 17. The documentary addresses the impact of genetic engineering on food security and sustainable food production in Hawaii. Discussion about the environment, conservation, and cultural and sustainable practices in Guam will follow.

The Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Unit is holding the third annual Camp Shutterbug for aspiring youth photographers. This year's theme is "Preserving My Island." Basic photography workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. July 20 at the refuge classroom. Session one for ages 8-11 will be held July 22, 24 or 26. Session two for ages 12-15 will be held July 29, 31 or Aug. 2. Each child may register for one day. For more information, call Joseph Schwagerl at 355-5096/7. To register your child, email emily_sablan@fws.gov or jennifer_cruce@fws.gov.

The 32nd Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association Conference will be held July 21-24 at Okkodo High School. The theme is "Indigenous Rights: Sacred and Secret ---- Direchon i Taotao Siha: Sagrda yan Sikretu." Contact Peter Onedera at 477-4234 or peteronedera@gmail.com, or Rosa Salas Palomo at 735-2193/1 or kailee.rosapalomo@hotmail.com. Forms are available at http://pibbainternational.blogspot.com.

The Guam International Film Festival extended postmark deadline is July 19 for the September festival. Works must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2012. Submission form and information regarding eligibility and official entry are at http://www.guamfilmfestival.org.

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The Guam Art Exhibit will present GAX VI through July 21. Poetry Slam Night is July 19. The exhibit will be on the second floor of the Plaza, between DNA Evolution and UnderWater World. Visit www. facebook.com/GUAMARTEXHIBIT for details. All ages are welcome and admission is free. Call Joshua Agerstrand at 486-8550, Shelly Blau at 482-7655, or email guamartexhibit@gmail.com for more information.

The Dededo Veterans Organization will meet at 3 p.m. July 28 in the Dededo Veterans Memorial Park, south of the skate park. All members are urged to attend and new members are welcome. For more information, call Joe San Nicolas at 482-4350.

The Prevention and Training Branch of the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center will hold the two-day Gathering of Pacific Islanders for Prevention Education and Community Empowerment, or GOPEACE, meeting July 30-31 at the Westin Hotel. The community is invited to attend to tell their stories, share their ideas, and help to develop Guam's five-year PEACE plan to stop suicide and prevent substance abuse on our island. To register, call Grace Lapid Rosadino or Helene Paulino at 477-9079~83. Registration form and other updates can be found at http://www.peaceguam.org.

The University of Guam Adventure Sports Camp session two runs from July 29 to Aug. 2. Tuition is $200 per session, plus a $25 registration fee. Call 735-2863 or go to http://www.uog.edu for more information.

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On the fridge

Scientists argue risks vs. benefits for public food supply

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are abundant in our food supply and in most (at least 60 percent to 70 percent) of our processed foods, including cereals, baked goods, breads, snacks, desserts, cake and brownie mixes, soy foods, corn products, high fructose corn syrup and even sugar.

Genetic engineering differs from conventional cross-breeding as GMOs are made by inserting a piece (or multiple pieces) of DNA from a plant or animal into the DNA of an entirely different species.

This added DNA provides some desirable property. For example, GMO plant crops are specifically engineered to resist insect pests, thrive in different environments or to withstand the application of herbicides to improve the control of weeds.

Genetically modified plants have also been developed to produce specific vitamins, resist viruses and even produce certain medicines. Genetic engineering can also be used in animals to improve disease resistance, enhance growth, produce healthier meat and dairy products or perhaps eventually even produce medicinal drugs in milk or eggs.

Yet, GMOs are widely debated even among scientists. Are they beneficial for farmers and the food supply, or are they hazardous to our health and to the environment?

The world picture

GMO food crops are a relatively new phenomenon and have been in widespread use only since the 1990s. The U.S. is the worlds leading producer of GMOs, and 90 percent of GMO crops use bioengineered seeds from Monsanto.

Some countries have banned or restricted GMOs, including many in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa, while others have embraced GMOs (including the U.S., Canada, India and China). Europe requires labeling of GMOs, which resulted in the dramatic drop in sales of GMOs and explains why big agriculture is adamantly opposed to labeling in the U.S. China has had great success with GMOs and is the largest producer of GMO cotton in the world.

In the U.S., most of the recent legal battles have been over labeling, and currently, GMOs are not required to be labeled here. Connecticut and Maine recently passed laws to mandate GMO labeling, and Whole Foods has promised to sell only non-GMO foods by 2018.

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GMOs are hotly debated

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2013) - The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the international organization representing the interests of the regenerative medicine community, today announced that the third annual Regen Med Partnering Forum will take place October 14 and 15, 2013 as part of the Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa. This forum is the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine field, and has become the premier gathering place for more than 300 senior level executives seeking opportunities to collaborate and learn more about recent advances in the space. Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is the meeting's founding and platinum-level sponsor.

The Regen Med Partnering Forum will take place at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, La Jolla, California. The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa's eighth Annual Scientific Symposium will immediately follow the Regen Med Partnering Forum on October 16, 2013 at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The Scientific Symposium, organized by the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, is attended by leading scientists and researchers in the field, as well as participants from the business and patient advocacy communities. Combined, these meetings will attract over 800 attendees from around the globe, highlighting the promise and progress of this rapidly evolving, interdisciplinary field.

"Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is the premier annual meeting for anyone involved in regenerative medicine, cell therapy and stem cell research," said Geoff MacKay, President & Chief Executive Officer of Organogenesis Inc. and Chairman of ARM. "The quality of speakers -- both industry and academic -- combined with high-level partnering opportunities, makes attending this meeting every year a top priority."

In addition to presentations by 40 cutting-edge companies seeking partners and investors, the Regen Med Partnering Forum will include interactive panels addressing critical commercial, scientific, regulatory and reimbursement issues. One-on-one meetings will also be scheduled with a state-of-the-art partnering system to connect participants. The Regen Med Partnering Forum was developed by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in 2011 and has grown 35% over the past three years.

"Life Technologies has sponsored this meeting since its inception in 2006, and helped it grow into a leading, annual conference for the regenerative medicine community," said Alaine Maxwell, Associate Director, Americas Marketing, Stem Cells and Translational Research, Life Technologies. "Whether your goal is to gain exposure to researchers or put your name out in front of C-level executives, attending this meeting has incredible value."

To learn more or to register for the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa please visit http://www.stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com. Registration is complimentary for investors and credentialed members of the media.

About The Alliance for Regenerative MedicineThe Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is a Washington, DC-based multi-stakeholder advocacy organization that promotes legislative, regulatory and reimbursement initiatives necessary to facilitate access to life-giving advances in regenerative medicine. ARM also works to increase public understanding of the field and its potential to transform human healthcare, providing business development and investor outreach services to support the growth of its member companies and research organizations. Prior to the formation of ARM in 2009, there was no advocacy organization operating in Washington, DC to specifically represent the interests of the companies, research institutions, investors and patient groups that comprise the entire regenerative medicine community. Today ARM has more than 140 members and is the leading global advocacy organization in this field. To learn more about ARM or to become a member, visit http://www.alliancerm.org.

About Life Technologies Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology company that is committed to providing the most innovative products and services to leading customers in the fields of scientific research, genetic analysis and applied sciences. With a presence in more than 180 countries, the company's portfolio of 50,000 end-to-end solutions is secured by more than 5,000 patents and licenses that span the entire biological spectrum -- scientific exploration, molecular diagnostics, 21st century forensics, regenerative medicine and agricultural research. Life Technologies has approximately 10,000 employees and had sales of $3.8 billion in 2012.

Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Holds Third Annual Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa Regen Med Partnering Forum

July 16, 2013 Smokers who've received a clean bill of health from their doctor may believe cigarettes haven't harmed their lungs. However, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have found that even smokers who seem healthy have damaged airway cells, with characteristics similar to cells found in aggressive lung cancer.

The study, published today in the journal Stem Cells, compared cells that line the airway from healthy nonsmokers with those from smokers with no detectable lung disease. The smokers' cells showed early signs of impairment, similar to that found in lung cancer -- providing evidence that smoking causes harm, even when there is no clinical evidence that anything is wrong.

"The study doesn't say these people have cancer, but that the cells are already starting to lose control and become disordered," says the study's senior investigator, Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman and professor of genetic medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. "The smoker thinks they are normal, and their doctor's exam is normal, but we know at the biologic level that all cigarette smokers' lungs are abnormal to some degree."

The researchers found that in the cells lining the airways of the smokers's lungs, human embryonic stem cell genes had been turned on. These are genes that are normally expressed in developing embryos -- soon after eggs are fertilized -- before cells are programmed with their specific assignment. This gene is also "on" in the most aggressive, hard-to-treat lung cancers.

"We were surprised to see that the smokers were expressing these very primitive human embryonic stem cell genes," Dr. Crystal says. "These genes are not normally functioning in the healthy lung."

Healthy lung cells, like all of the body's cells, have very specific assignments. Although all of the body's cells contain the same genes, genes are only "turned on" for each cell's defined task. Therefore, healthy lung cells only express genes related to lung function, while brain cells express brain-specific genes. "Healthy cells are very tightly controlled. Normal cells have rules and only do certain things," says Dr. Crystal. "In cancer, that control is lost."

This loss of control allows cancerous cells to multiply without restraint and enables them to migrate to other organs because the genetic programming that keeps them on task is in disarray. The study found that smokers' cells were in the very early stages of losing this control.

"When you smoke a cigarette, some of the genetic programming of your lung cells is lost," says Dr. Crystal. "Your cells take on the appearance of a more primitive cell. It doesn't necessarily mean you will develop cancer, but that the soil is fertile to develop cancer."

In the study, 21 healthy nonsmokers were compared to 31 smokers who had no lung disease symptoms and had normal X-rays as well as normal chest examinations. All individuals were evaluated at Weill Cornell's Clinical and Translational Science Center and Department of Genetic Medicine Clinical Research Facility. By sending a thin tube called a bronchoscope and a fine brush into the lungs, investigators gently brushed the inside of the airways to collect cells from the airway's lining. Researchers examined these cells, called the airway epithelium, which come into contact with cigarette smoke and are where cancer begins, Dr. Crystal says.

Routine checkups can mislead smokers into thinking cigarettes aren't hurting their bodies. However, these results paint a different picture. "Physical examinations, lung function tests and chest x-rays are not sensitive enough to pick up these very early changes," Dr. Crystal warns doctors and smokers. "The take-home message is: Don't smoke. Smoking is bad and if you smoke, you're at risk."

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Even healthy-looking smokers have early cell damage which destroys necessary genetic programming

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Mapping Cancer: Largest Set of Tumor Genomes Could Lead to Better Anticancer Drugs

DUBLIN, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6pvm54/personalized) has announced the addition of a new report "Personalized Medicine - Scientific and Commercial Aspects" to their offering.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130307/600769 )

This updated 2013 report now features even more company profiles and collaborations!

The aim of personalized medicine or individualized treatment is to match the right drug to the right patient and, in some cases, even to design the appropriate treatment for a patient according to his/her genotype. This report describes the latest concepts of development of personalized medicine based on pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacoproteomics, and metabolomics. Basic technologies of molecular diagnostics play an important role, particularly those for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Diagnosis is integrated with therapy for selection of the treatment as well for monitoring the results. Biochip/microarray technologies are also important and finally bioinformatics is needed to analyze the immense amount of data generated by various technologies.

Pharmacogenetics, the study of influence of genetic factors on drug action and metabolism, is used for predicting adverse reactions of drugs. Several enzymes are involved in drug metabolism of which the most important ones are those belonging to the family of cytochrome P450. The knowledge of the effects of polymorphisms of genes for the enzymes is applied in drug discovery and development as well as in clinical use of drugs. Cost-effective methods for genotyping are being developed and it would be desirable to include this information in the patient's record for the guidance of the physician to individualize the treatment. Pharmacogenomics, a term that overlaps with pharmacogenetics but is distinct, deals with the application of genomics to drug discovery and development. It involves the mechanism of action of drugs on cells as revealed by gene expression patterns. Pharmacoproteomics is an important contribution to personalized medicine as it is a more functional representation of patient-to-patient variation than that provided by genotyping. A 'pharmacometabonomic' approach to personalizing drug treatment is also described.

Biological therapies such as those which use patient's own cells are considered to be personalized medicines. Vaccines are prepared from individual patient's tumor cells. Individualized therapeutic strategies using monoclonal bodies can be directed at specific genetic and immunologic targets. Ex vivo gene therapy involves the genetic modification of the patient's cells in vitro, prior to reimplantation of these cells in the patient's body.

Increase in efficacy and safety of treatment by individualizing it has benefits in financial terms. Information is presented to show that personalized medicine will be cost-effective in healthcare systems. For the pharmaceutical companies, segmentation of the market may not leave room for conventional blockbusters but smaller and exclusive markets for personalized medicines would be profitable. Marketing opportunities for such a system are described with market estimates from 2012-2022.

Profiles of 283 companies involved in developing technologies for personalized medicines, along with 504 collaborations are included in the part II of the report. Finally the bibliography contains over 650 selected publications cited in the report.The report is supplemented by 65 tables and 18 figures.

Key Topics Covered:

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Personalized Medicine Report - Scientific and Commercial Aspects - 2013-2022

July 16, 2013 Several companies sell genetic testing directly to consumers, but little research has been done on how consumers experience such tests. The tests have raised questions about the validity and accuracy of the information provided to consumers -- especially without the involvement of a qualified health care professional.

Now, a study lead by a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researcher is providing insight into how a diverse sample of primary care patients experience genetic testing.

Lead researcher Katherine Wasson, PhD, MPH, and colleagues conducted in-depth interviews with 20 patients recruited from primary care clinics. Among the findings, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Community Genetics:

- Most participants thought results were fairly easy to understand -- with the help of a genetic counselor (provided by the study, not the testing company). But fewer than half said they might be able to understand results on their own.

- Most participants expressed no concern or hesitation about testing. But a few worried about confidentiality -- especially whether results could affect their health insurance coverage. A few also expressed fears about getting bad results. As one participant explained, "I mean, you want to know, but then you don't want to know."

- Participants gave several reasons why they decided to undergo testing. Most simply said they were curious. "I don't have a scientific background, so a lot of it is just fascinating to see how all of that can spin out," one participant said. Many also said test results would provide knowledge they could act on, and help them prepare for the future. Said one: "If you know that there's something going on you can go ahead and fix it now and not have to try to fix it later when it's already unfixable." A few participants wanted to help their families or the next generation, or more broadly, contribute to research and medical science.

- Most participants were pleased with results of the tests, mainly because they had not received bad news, despite the uncertainty of the results. "This makes me feel great," said one such participant. "I know I'll be around at least another year or two."

- About half the participants said they had made no changes in response to results, mainly because there was nothing on which to act. But among a few participants, receiving "low-risk" results was a motivating factor to improve their health behavior, mainly through more exercise and a better diet.

- One year after testing, most participants said they would take the test again, and recommend it to others. "It's as if you stepped into a time capsule and you went ahead in time and you can see something," one participant said.

Patients were interviewed individually four times: during an initial session in which a saliva sample was given; 4 to 6 weeks later, when they received results; 3 months after receiving results; and 12 months after receiving results. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

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How patients experience direct-to-consumer genetic testing

Public release date: 16-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kim Menard kim.menard@uphs.upenn.edu 215-662-6183 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

BOSTON - People who found out they carried an uncommon genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease did not experience more anxiety, depression or distress than non-carriers, and were more active in efforts to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease - by exercising, eating a healthy diet and taking recommended vitamins and medications - report researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania today at the 2013 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). Researchers note that this study will inform how research studies and clinical practices reveal genetic and other risk factors to people interested in being tested in the future.

"This study informs our understanding of the impact of people finding out their genetic risk for Alzheimer's in the absence of any treatments to prevent dementia," said lead study author Jason Karlawish, MD, professor of Medicine and Medical Ethics and Health Policy in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. "We saw that, following their genetic counseling session, people took positive steps to mitigate their Alzheimer's risk, such as following a healthy diet and exercising. They might also be willing to join an Alzheimer's dementia prevention trial."

As part of the NIH-funded REVEAL study led by Robert Green, MD, at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, an analysis of 648 people tested for the Alzheimer's disease genetic risk marker APOe4 was conducted, where participants learned their risk estimate, based on genotype, gender, ethnicity and family history. Only 4 percent of participants (28 people) were in the highest risk group, carrying two copies of APOe4, while 34 percent (221) had a single copy of the gene and 62 percent (399) carried no genetic risk marker.

After a year of following the three groups, there was no inflated perceived risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, nor was there any significant difference between groups for scores on anxiety, depression and test-related distress.

"What is the experience of being an APOE4 homozygote? Findings from the REVEAL Study" by Karlawish et al will be presented on Tuesday, July 16 at 12:00pm ET. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (HG002213, HG005092, HG006500 and AG027841.

###

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 16 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $398 million awarded in the 2012 fiscal year.

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Highest risk Alzheimer's genetic carriers take positive steps after learning risk status

ZS Genetics, developer of a Third-Generation DNA sequencing platform, and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) are pleased to announce the official opening of the companys new office in the Greater Boston area. ZS Genetics management team, as well as representatives from the MLSC, MassBio and state Rep. Paul Brodeur, D-Melrose, cut a ribbon last week to mark the grand opening of the companys new facility in Wakefield.

The opening of the Boston-area office and laboratory facility is a significant milestone in the companys transition from research and development towards product commercialization.

The Wakefield facility brings together employees who currently work remotely and also provides sufficient expansion space to accommodate the companys anticipated growth. This facility represents a new chapter in the life of this company. We are very pleased to have found what we believe to be an ideal location. Our world-class scientists finally have the facilities and resources to bring the technology closer to the commercialization stage, said Bill Ward, President of ZS Genetics.

The new office will also bring in new opportunities for ZS Genetics.

Massachusetts is a hub for life sciences and technology expertise. Having access to the talent and resources available in the Boston area was a critical factor in our decision to locate here, said William Glover, Chief Executive Officer of ZS Genetics. We are moving into this facility with a dozen employees and will be looking to expand our workforce in the near future.

In Massachusetts we invest in the life sciences because we are choosing to shape our own future, said Gov. Deval Patrick. I congratulate ZS Genetics on their new facility and look forward to the jobs and economic opportunities they will bring.

Through the MLSC, Massachusetts is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the states life sciences supercluster. These investments are being made under the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, proposed by Patrick in 2007, and passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Patrick in 2008.

ZS Genetics 10,000-square-foot space includes office and cubicle space for employees, as well as facilities for a chemistry lab and a DNA sample preparation lab. The labs are scheduled for completion in September at which time those ZS Genetics employees who are currently working in leased facilities will join their colleagues in Wakefield.

The companys team has grown substantially over the past several months to 10 employees as the company has added key personnel required for building the alpha version of its sequencing system. Among the new staff at the Wakefield facility are two premier scientists ZS Genetics has hired to lead critical areas for the next phase of product development: Dr. Suhaib Siddiqi is a renowned chemist who has joined ZSG to lead one of the R&D teams. Several weeks ago, Dr. Larry Scipioni came on board to take responsibility for running the microscope labs.

The facility will house state-of-the-art equipment, including two electron microscopes, to develop the companys platform. The second of the two, a Nion, was recently acquired and underwent installation and commissioning in the second half of June.

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ZS Genetics opens Wakefield facility

Seattle Genetics Inc. (SGEN) recently announced the commencement of a phase I study on its acute myeloid leukemia (:AML) candidate, SGN-CD33A.

SGN-CD33A uses Seattle Genetics latest antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology targeted to CD33. The open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation study will assess the safety and anti-leukemia activity of SGN-CD33A.

Primary endpoints are the maximum tolerated dose estimation and safety evaluation of SGN-CD33A. Additionally, the study will evaluate pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with AML. Patients achieving complete remission in the dose-escalation study are eligible to continue receiving SGN-CD33A at a lower, maintenance dose given every three weeks.

Encouraging preclinical data on SGN-CD33A was presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in Dec 2012. Preclinical data on SGN-CD33A showed significant antitumor activity in AML models.

The AML market consists of drugs like Mylotarg. Many candidates are being developed for the treatment of AML, like BioLineRx (BLRX) BL-8040. Another candidate, quizartinib, is also being developed for AML.

Seattle Genetics sole marketed ADC product is Adcetris. Adcetris is used for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (:ASCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not suitable for ASCT. Adcetris is also approved for the treatment of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one multi-agent chemotherapy regimen.

ADCs have been attracting a lot of interest of late with major companies entering into collaborations. Seattle Genetics has an alliance with Genentech, a business wing of Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) for the development of ADCs.

Seattle Genetics carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Currently, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Public Limited Company (JAZZ) looks well positioned with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Read the Full Research Report on JAZZ

Read the Full Research Report on SGEN

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SGEN Starts Phase I Study on SGN-CD33A

VISIONS 2013 - Gene Therapy Clinical Trial Updates
http://www.fightblindness.org/visions | From VISIONS 2013, foundation-funded researchers discuss gene therapy and the progress being made in this area of research i...

By: FndFightingBlindness

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VISIONS 2013 - Gene Therapy Clinical Trial Updates - Video

How Does Gene Therapy Work?
Scientists have promised that gene therapy will be the next big leap for medicine. It #39;s a term that #39;s tossed about regularly, but what is it exactly? Trace s...

By: DNews

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How Does Gene Therapy Work? - Video

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) today announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive cross-license agreement with Genzyme, a Sanofi company, in which Genzyme receives rights to AskBios Duplex gene therapy vector technology for its internal product development and external sublicensing.

AskBios Duplex vector technology allows a gene therapy Adeno-Associated Viral vector (AAV) to package and deliver more potent therapeutic DNA cargo to a patients cells. The Duplex vectors have been shown to bypass an intracellular-synthesis step necessary for converting a single-stranded DNA genome into a double-stranded genome. This advancement results in faster onset and higher levels of gene expression. Genzyme plans to use the Duplex vector technology for its internal product development research.

Additionally under this agreement, AskBio receives rights to Genzymes Intra-Strand Base-Pairing technology, which also supports packaging of DNA double-stranded genomes within an AAV-based gene therapy vector. The rights obtained from Genzyme by AskBio strengthen and broaden the basis with which AskBio may continue its use and sub-license of Duplex vectors for internal clinical development, as well as external partnerships and collaborations.

We appreciate the collaborative approach with which both companies entered into this cross-license, and believe it broadly strengthens the value potential for future advancements within the field of AAV gene therapy. This cross-license with Genzyme represents our ninth license of the Duplex vectors, and further validates AskBios platform of vector technologies, and their significance and potential for future patient benefit, stated AskBios Vice President Jade Samulski.

Genzyme has been committed to gene therapy for more than twenty years, today with a focus that includes clinical programs in Parkinsons Disease and age-related macular degeneration, said Genzymes Head of Gene Therapy R&D, Sam Wadsworth. We believe our efforts will be enhanced through AskBios technology, as we continue to pursue targeted solutions to address unmet medical needs.

About Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc.

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), is a private clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of novel, gene transfer-mediated therapies using a proprietary AAV-based vector technology platform. This technology is being used to deliver a broad range of therapeutics including therapeutic DNA, monoclonal antibodies, RNAi, and vaccines, among others. The companys mature intellectual property portfolio is based on the scientific work of Professor R. Jude Samulski & colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The company is currently engaged in gene therapy-based clinical development programs. For additional information, visit AskBios web site atwww.askbio.com.

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Asklepios Enters Cross-License Agreement with Genzyme