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Genetics lab unravels mystery whale killing at sea

Little was left of the kill when biologists reached the scene.

Observers on a NOAA Fisheries marine mammal survey some 200 miles off the coast of Central California had spotted the telltale signs of a killer whale attack through high-powered binoculars a few miles away. Frenzied swimming churned the ocean surface. Geysers of bloody water sprayed into the air. Hungry seabirds circled in search of leftovers.

But by the time the large research ship arrived at the scene, all biologists could find was a slick of oil from the vanished victim. That, and the unidentified animal's lungs and heart.

Which was all the evidence Brittany Hancock-Hanser needed.

A research biologist in the Marine Mammal Genetics Group at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, Calif., Hancock-Hanser and her colleagues tease information from the tiniest traces of life. Their target is the DNA that holds every creature's genetic code, defining an animal's species, identity, evolutionary lineage, family relationships and more.

In the case of the recovered lungs and heart, those secrets would provide new insight into the animal the killer whales had attacked.

"We didn't know what that animal was," Hancock-Hanser recalls. "But given the capacity of our lab and how much work we've done on cetaceans, we knew we had a pretty good chance of figuring that out."

Searching the genetic library

The Southwest Fisheries Science Center houses one of the largest collections of tissue and DNA samples from marine mammals and sea turtles in the world, all preserved in giant freezers. It includes about 175,000 tissue samples from roughly 145,000 unique animals and more than 60,000 samples of DNA representing virtually every known species of marine mammal and sea turtle.

Every sample has a unique barcode linked to a database with details about where it came from and how it has been studied.

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Genetics lab unravels mystery whale killing at sea

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UCL – MSc Cell and Gene Therapy – Video


UCL - MSc Cell and Gene Therapy
to find more information please visit: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cell-gene-therapy.

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UCL - MSc Cell and Gene Therapy - Video

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Chinese doctors carry out groundbreaking spinal cord surgery – Video


Chinese doctors carry out groundbreaking spinal cord surgery
Spinal cord injuries remain one of the most challenging medical problems to treat, but a new ground-breaking surgery has been carried out in China. The regen...

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Spinal Cord Injury Milestone – Rodolfo at Project Walk Houston – Video


Spinal Cord Injury Milestone - Rodolfo at Project Walk Houston
In 2013, a car accident left Rodolpho with a T11/12 complete spinal cord injury. On Dec 16, 2015 Rodolpho came to Project Walk Houston for an evaluation and ...

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Spinal Cord Injury Treatment | Dr.Dheeraj | Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore, India – Video


Spinal Cord Injury Treatment | Dr.Dheeraj | Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore, India

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Optogenetic Restoration of Motor Function After Spinal Cord Injury – Video


Optogenetic Restoration of Motor Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Mr. Peter Grahn, a third-year student in the neurobiology of disease track at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, illuminates an article he coauthored appearing in...

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What does regenerative medicine mean? – Video


What does regenerative medicine mean?
What does regenerative medicine mean? A spoken definition of regenerative medicine. Intro Sound: Typewriter - Tamskp Licensed under CC:BA 3.0 Outro Music: Gr...

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Sickle Cell Trait – Harvard University – Research …

John Kark, M.D. (formerly of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.) Howard Universty School of Medicine Center for Sickle Cell Disease 2121 Georgia Avenue Washington, D.C. 20059 revised December 20, 2000 Introduction Sickle cell trait usually is not regarded as a disease state because it has complications that are either uncommon or mild. Nevertheless, under unusual circumstances serious morbidity or mortality can result from complications related to polymerization of deoxy-hemoglobin S. Such problems include increased urinary tract infection in women, gross hematuria, complications of hyphema, splenic infarction with altitude hypoxia or exercise, and life-threatening complications of exercise, exertional heat illness (exertional rhabdomyolysis, heat stroke, or renal failure) or idiopathic sudden death (1-4). Pathologic processes that cause hypoxia, acidosis, dehydration, hyperosmolality, hypothermia, or elevated erythrocyte 2,3-DPG can transform silent sickle cell trait into a syndrome resembling sickle cell disease with vaso-occlusion due to rigid erythrocytes. Compound heterozygous sickle cell disease can be mistaken as uncomplicated sickle cell trait, particularly when an unusual globin variant is involved.

In addition some disease associations have been noted with sickle cell trait which might not result from polymerization of hemoglobin S but from linkage to a different gene mutation. The association of hemoglobin S with cases of renal medullary carcinoma, early end stage renal failure in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and surrogate end points for pulmonary embolism are not necessarily the result of hemoglobin S polymerization. Complications from sickle cell trait are important because about three million people in the United States have this genotype, about 40 to 50 times the number with sickle cell disease.

People with uncomplicated sickle cell trait have a normal blood examination as assessed by conventional clinical methods, including normal red cell morphology, indices, reticulocyte counts, and red blood cell survival by chromium labeling. Conventional methods of detecting hemolysis are negative, such as measurements of serum haptoglobin, bilirubin, and LDH. Erythrocyte density distribution is normal, adherence to endothelium is not increased, altered membrane lipids and proteins are not detectable, cytoplasmic inside-out vesicles with high calcium content are absent, and permanently distorted erythrocytes are not observed.

When blood is drawn with anaerobic technique into a syringe with dilute buffered glutaraldehyde one obtains an accurate picture of circulating erythrocytes in vivo (the Sherman test). No sickled cells are observed at rest, but exercise to exhaustion at sea level regularly induces mild levels of reversible sickling in peripheral venous blood (less than 1%). Exposure to altitude hypoxia will progressively increase the extent of sickling observed with sickle cell trait from 2% at 4,050 ft. to 8.5% at 13,123 ft. Hypobaric chamber exposures used for military aviation training, involving hypoxic exposures simulating 10,000 to 25,000 ft from ninety to six minutes, did not cause hemolysis in subjects with uncomplicated sickle cell trait (3).

Determination that a clinical syndrome is due to sickle cell trait rather than a subtle form of sickle cell disease is difficult. Reversible sickling and unsickling of erythrocytes (reflecting the rapid formation and dissolution of deoxy-hemoglobin S polymers) takes place in seconds. Hence, the presence or absence of intravascular sickled erythrocytes in tissue specimens depends upon the degree of oxygenation of the sample just before fixation and only has clinical relevance if fixation occurred at oxygen tensions identical to those extant during generation of primary lesions. Agonal hypoxemia causes artifactual intravascular sickling. Conversely, blood samples smeared in room air and then fixed will show artifactual unsickling. One cannot determine the role of hemoglobin S in clinical events from the presence or absence of intravascular sickling in blood samples, biopsy specimens, or autopsy specimens unless these were rapidly fixed at physiologic oxygen tension.

While fatal intravascular sickling with extensive microvascular obstruction could theoretical result from sickle cell trait, such an event cannot be demonstrated by histologic examination at autopsy. If a clinical event is not specific for hemoglobin S, one may need to show that the complication occurs significantly more often in people with sickle cell trait relative to a control group. Such an association does not prove cause. Stronger evidence that polymerization of hemoglobin S causes a problem is demonstration of relative protection by alpha thalassemia.

The common African polymorphism causing alpha thalassemia is the product of a prior mismatched cross over event which creates chromosome 16 expressing only one of the two alpha globins and a chromosome 16 carrying three alpha globin exons. Loss of one or two alpha globin genes decreases the fraction of hemoglobin S and produces obvious microcytosis. Anemia is absent or mild.

Examination of maximal urinary concentrating ability in people with sickle cell trait relative to alpha globin gene number demonstrated that one or two alpha globin gene deletions were associated with better preserved renal function (5). In other words the less hemoglobin S that was present, the less renal function that was lost. This implied a significant role of polymerized hemoglobin S in the pathogenesis of renal isosthenuria (see below). In some instances the anatomic lesions due to sickle cell trait are so distinct that a relationship to polymerization of Hb S can be reasonably inferred. Such complications of sickle cell trait include glaucoma or recurrence after treatment for hyphema and splenic infarction in the absence of primary trauma, infection, inflammation or tumor in the spleen.

People with sickle cell trait often experience subclinical tissue infarction from microvascular obstruction by rigid erythrocytes. Most people with sickle cell trait develop microscopic infarction of the renal medulla because the extreme hypoxemia, hypertonicity, acidosis, and hyperthermia of arterial blood passing through the long vasa recta of the renal medulla promote polymerization of deoxy-hemoglobin S (6). Flow through these vessels requires more than ten seconds, providing an unusually long exposure time for polymerization of hemoglobin S. Cumulative focal lesions result in loss of maximal urine concentrating ability which is progressive with age and develops in most adults with sickle cell trait (3, 6). The functional defect limits urine concentration to approximately the osmolality of serum, causing isosthenuria rather than hyposthenuria. In people with sickle cell trait urine osmolality can usually reach values higher than plasma during overnight dehydration (400 to 800 mOsmol). Although one may speculate that this lesion might predispose to development of mild exertional heat illness (EHI) during exercise in hot weather, clinically significant problems related to this deficit have not been demonstrated. Necrosis of the renal papillae can result in hematuria, which is usually microscopic. Gross hematuria is occasionally provoked by heavy exercise or occurs spontaneously.

An important potential complication of sickle cell trait is unexpected exercise-related death (ERD). The validity of this association aroused heated controversy (4). The possibility that previously healthy young people with sickle cell trait might suffer increased mortality from exercise was first suggested by observations of enlisted recruits in US Armed Forces basic training. A military trainee with Hb AS suffered exercise related hypernatremia during physical training in the field. He only survived a critical illness that included acute renal failure because of dialysis (8). During a single summer, there were four exercise-related deaths among recruits at Fort Bliss, all of whom were black and had sickle cell trait, while no recruits with normal hemoglobin died. Only 1.5% of these recruits had sickle cell trait. The authors suggested a significant risk association with sickle cell trait (8).

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Sickle Cell Trait - Harvard University - Research ...

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Okyanos Cell Therapy Success Brings Hope for a Normal Life

Freeport, Grand Bahama (PRWEB) February 04, 2015

In just a few short months since Okyanos opened its doors, remarkable results are becoming a daily reality. In light of these mounting successes, Okyanos, the leader in cell therapy, has augmented its adult stem cell therapy for severe heart disease and expanded their offerings to include treatments for patients with other chronic unmet needs. Now, patients like Patsy and Dylan are experiencing the tangible benefits that Okyanos cell therapy provides.

Patsy, 72 years old, lived a normal life until 2012 when a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) put a halt to her active lifestyle. Patsys health quickly deteriorated. Despite open heart surgery, a pacemaker and medications, all were insufficient to arrest her physical decline. Faced with a heart transplant as her next option and fearful of the idea, Patsy began searching for another alternative.

I was looking at going to Mexico, and my cardiologist was talking to me about being a part of a clinical trial where they inject two different kinds of drugs into the heart, but I was hesitant about that idea and worried I would get the placebo. A friend knew I had a heart problem, and she recommended Okyanos.

Patsys arrival at Okyanos quickly allayed any apprehension as she said, I couldnt ask to be treated any better than if they were my own sisters or brothers. It was truly amazing. You just dont get that kind of care in regular hospitals.

After just a few short months since her mid-October (2014) treatment with Okyanos cell therapy, Patsy is noticing improvements. Im doing better. I can already tell the difference. Im getting up the stairs more easily. Im doing the laundry again. I have more energy, and when you have more energy and you feel better, your point of view on life is betterit really makes a big difference.

Dylan is another success. At 16, Dylan had dreamt of a career playing tennis but began experiencing extreme pain with his hips locking up, causing him to fall to the ground. He was diagnosed with a rare condition that causes abnormal growth of tissue lining the joints that can later break off and damage cartilage. After 2 surgeries to clean out his hips, constant pain and an inability to walk without a limp, run or bend over, the condition worsened. After speaking with doctors, it was clear that continuation of regular surgeries would further deteriorate Dylans hips. Determined to see her son walk normally, Dylans mother discovered Okyanos and both decided to move forward with cell therapy.

Dylan underwent cell therapy wherein stem cells were separated from his own fat tissue for direct injections into the hip as well as delivery by IV to address underlying causes of ischemia, inflammation and abnormal immune response. Ten days later, Dylan was pain-free and able to walk normally, run and bend over.

Im pinching myself. Its amazing. No, its miraculous! says Elena about her sons recovery. If Dylan had not had the cell therapy, we would have kept doing other treatments and crossed our fingers. At 20 years old, his future would have been hip replacement surgery and a lifetime of problems walking, painful movement and an inability to bend down.

Stem cell therapy is a relatively simple and minimally-invasive same-day procedurea stark contrast from open heart surgery or hip surgeryyet offers patients the hope of a more normal life. Patients like Patsy concur, Its going to give people hope. And give them a life. You get to a point with a body where you push and push and run out of energy. Thats not really life to me. I think stem cell therapy can give back life.

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Florida Panther Receives Cutting Edge Stem Cell Procedure from MediVet Biologics

Nicholasville, KY (PRWEB) February 04, 2015

Rescued when he was only 4 weeks old, Nakiia, a 15-year-old Panther, has been living in severe pain after a jumping incident. Jan Hall, Nakiias owner has dedicated her life to rescuing animals. Nakiia, the namesake of her rescue foundation The Nakiia Foundation is the love of her life. Witnessing this fabulous animal in such pain was too much for Jan to bear. The Doctors treating Nakiia decided to undertake a revolutionary medical procedure, which centers on regenerative medicine.

Newman Veterinary Center in DeLand Florida performed MediVets Adipose (fat)-derived stem cell therapy. The male Florida panther underwent this procedure, more commonly performed on domestic animal such as dogs, cats and horses. The procedure is an effort to ease the pain from severe arthritis in his joints. This was a last stage effort for the panther that can no longer continue to live in such pain.

Though stem cell treatments have been performed in exotic animals before, it is still a rare and exciting undertaking. Utilizing MediVet Biologics procedure, Dr. Ted Oliver was able to ensure the process will produce the best possible results. MediVets procedure is completed in one day and in-clinic.

Stem Cell treatments in the past have often been controversial when embryonic cells where involved, with adipose or fat tissue Nakiias own adult stem cells could be easily concentrated and activated with minimal risk. Until recently Veterinarians only had the option of utilizing outside labs for processing of autologous cells, with the one step surgical treatment available from MediVet Biologics, Veterinarians all around the country can eliminate the costs and variability in shipping by utilizing an onsite simple procedure.

During the procedure, Dr. Oliver removed about four tablespoons of belly fat from the panther. The fat was then processed in-clinic by a trained technician. The cells are incubated, isolated and activated by a patented process. Dr. Oliver carefully re-administered the cells directly back into Nakiia. Nakiias excess cells will be stored for future use eliminating the need to surgically re-harvest additional tissue.

MediVets primary mission and goal is to help all animals live a pain free life. In regenerative medicine and biologic intervention age is not a disease rather a challenge that presents us many opportunities to develop cutting edge treatments to combat issues related to the aging process. Our partnerships with progressive Veterinarians such as Newman Veterinary Centers allow us to extend affordable cutting edge treatments to animals who otherwise potentially have limited treatments available. We look forward to following Nakiias progress." - Jeremy Delk, CEO of MediVet Biologics.

Newman Veterinary Center was honored to be a part of Nakiias stem cell procedure. The excitement that this 146-lb. cat brought to our clinic was unparalleled. We have very high hopes that Nakiia will be feeling much better very soon. - Erica Kent Director of Operations at Newman Veterinary Centers.

Nakiias story will air on Wednesday, February 4th on CBS WKMG (local 6) with Mike Holfeld, Investigative Reporter.

About MediVet Biologics MediVet Biologics is the Worlds leading provider of Veterinary regenerative medicine. The central Kentucky based company was founded in 2009 and quickly gained favor in the Veterinary industry with the advent of in-clinic adipose derived stem cell and platelet rich plasma treatments. Since gaining wide appeal in the small and large veterinary market MediVet Biologics has developed a strong biologic pipeline that includes, among other cutting edge treatment options, patient specific immunotherapy services.

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Florida Panther Receives Cutting Edge Stem Cell Procedure from MediVet Biologics

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Sea Slug Uses Gene from Algae to Live Like a Plant

A gene that comes from the algae it eats has been found on the chromosome of a green sea slug, a discovery that paints a clearer picture for researchers of how the slug is able to live like a plant for long periods and get nourishment it needs from the sun.

In a new study, a team The Marine Biological Laboratory used advanced imaging to spot a gene from the alga Vaucheria litorea on the chromosome of Elysia chlorotica, the emerald sea slug. The gene is key to helping the slug sustain the photosynthetic processes that feed it.

The gene isn't the only instance of E. chlorotica borrowing from V. litorea.

Indeed, it's long been known that the slug heists chloroplasts -- specialized parts of cells that drive photosynthesis -- from V. litorea and then stashes them in its own digestive cells.

The purloined chloroplasts keep on keeping on with the photosynthesis in their new home in the slug -- nourishing the creature for up to nine months.

It's that nine months that has more recently puzzled scientists. The time frame is a lot longer than the chloroplasts would function in the algae from which they came. How does the slug get them to last longer than they otherwise might?

That's where the newly discovered gene comes in. The type of algal gene found in the slug is central to sustaining photosynthesis -- it makes a key enzyme that repairs damaged chloroplasts and keeps them working.

It's a useful bit of theft that gets passed on to slugs down the line. "The gene is incorporated into the slug chromosome and transmitted to the next generation of slugs," said study co-author Sidney K. Pierce, an emeritus professor at University of South Florida and at University of Maryland, College Park, in a press release.

The next-gen slugs still have to pilfer chloroplasts from V. litorea, Pierce noted, but the genes to maintain them are already on the animal's genome.

"There is no way on Earth that genes from an alga should work inside an animal cell," said Pierce. "And yet here, they do. They allow the animal to rely on sunshine for its nutrition. So if something happens to their food source, they have a way of not starving to death until they find more algae to eat."

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Sea Slug Uses Gene from Algae to Live Like a Plant

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In Focus: Bethany Dill – Video


In Focus: Bethany Dill
Bethany Dill is a senior fine arts, art history and marketing major from Long Island, NY. She currently has a prestigious internship at the Metropolitan Muse...

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What do you think?

David Cameron was among MPs who took the historic step today of approving what critics have called "three parent babies" in order to prevent devastating inherited diseases.

The MPs voted for a change in the law that means Britain is set to be the first country in the world to permit mitochondrial donation, which involves conceiving IVF babies with DNA from three different people.

But, speaking shortly before the vote, the Prime Minister insisted there was no question of "playing God".

The move to amend the 2008 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which forbids IVF treatments that affect inherited "germline" DNA in eggs and sperm, was carried by 382 votes to 128.

Labour leader Ed Miliband and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg also exercised their free vote to support the decision.

If the House of Lords ratifies the change - which seems likely - the first baby conceived with the procedure could be born by the end of next year.

The child would have "nuclear" DNA determining individual traits such as facial features and personality from its two parents, plus a tiny amount of mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) from an anonymous woman donor.

Research has shown that mitochondrial donation could potentially help almost 2,500 women of reproductive age in the UK.

All are at risk of transmitting harmful DNA mutations in the mitochondria, tiny rod-like power plants in cells, onto their children and future generations.

Mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) is only involved in metabolism and makes up just 0.1% of a person's genetic code.

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Study finds genetic mutation behind most common breast cancer

The study found that one variant increased the risk of oestrogen receptor positive disease by 14 per cent, while a second raised the chance by 11 per cent.

Researchers said the finding provided important clues about the way disease is caused, implicating a gene called KLF4, which is thought to help control the way cells grow and divide.

The research involved scientists from more than 130 institutions worldwide, including the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the University of Cambridge.

Researchers were looking for one-letter differences in DNA code that were more likely to be found in women with breast cancer than those without the disease, using a state-of-the-art genetic technique called fine mapping.

Study leader Dr Nick Orr said: "Our study zoomed in on an area of our genome that we knew was linked to breast cancer risk, and has identified two new genetic variants that add significantly to our knowledge about the genetic causes of the disease.

"The variants we identified are specifically associated with the most common, oestrogen receptor positive, form of breast cancer.

"The more genetic risk factors for breast cancer we discover, of which there are currently more than 80, the more accurately we will be able predict who is at risk of getting the disease. Ultimately this will be vital for designing preventative strategies against breast cancer."

Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, praised the results.

She said: "Thanks to modern technology we're building an increasingly detailed picture of the small variations in DNA that can influence a woman's risk of breast cancer.

"The next challenges are understanding the biology underpinning their effects, so we can use this information to predict individual risk more accurately, improve screening and find better ways to treat and prevent breast cancer."

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Study finds genetic mutation behind most common breast cancer

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Bikini bottom genetics – Video


Bikini bottom genetics

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Heredity and Genetics – Video


Heredity and Genetics
An Interview about Heredity and Genetics.

By: Isabel Taboada

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Heredity and Genetics - Video

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Utah's Myriad Genetics settling gene patent lawsuits

The companies that have settled with Myriad continue to sell tests of the so-called BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests in competition with Myriad, according to their websites and spokespersons.

In addition, Myriad said that CEO and President Peter Meldrum has announced his retirement and will be replaced by Mark C. Capone, president of the company's largest wholly owned subsidiary, Myriad Genetic Laboratories Inc.

The company's shares fell 9 percent on Wednesday, the day after it announced lower earnings and reduced its financial forecast for the rest of its fiscal year.

In January, Myriad settled five lawsuits among seven, most of which it initiated after the companies announced they were entering the BRCA testing market with products of their own.

Those actions followed a June 2013 Supreme Court decision that held that parts of Myriad patents related to genetic material isolated from their location in the body are not eligible for patents. The decision stemmed from a lawsuit led by the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued that genes were not eligible for patents because they are products of nature, not human invention.

The month after the Supreme Court ruling, Myriad sued Ambry Genetics of Aliso Viejo, Calif., in federal court in Utah after it announced it was offering testing that competes with Myriad's. Myriad claimed that Ambry was infringing on its patents that remained intact after the ruling, while Ambry said the decision meant other Myriad patents also were invalid.

The Ambry suit was followed by those against other companies and by two actions filed by others against Myriad in other courts.

U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby in March of last year denied Myriad's motion for a preliminary injunction against Ambry, ruling the Utah company was unlikely to prevail on patent claims that he ruled were based on genetic materials or processes that are not eligible for protection.

Shelby's decision was upheld in December by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. Myriad and Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings filed a stipulation for dismissal six days later and four others followed in short order.

A spokesman for Myriad said that the parties had agreed not to make public statements.

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Utah's Myriad Genetics settling gene patent lawsuits

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New Nanoparticle Gene Therapy Strategy Effectively Treats Deadly Brain Cancer in Rats

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Fast Facts Gene therapy may effectively treat glioma, a deadly form of brain cancer, but getting the right genes to cancer cells in the brain is difficult. For the first time, Johns Hopkins researchers used biodegradable nanoparticles to kill brain cancer cells in animals and lengthen their survival. The nanoparticles are filled with genes for an enzyme that turns a compound into a potent killer of cancer cells.

VIDEO: Programming Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct

Newswise Despite improvements in the past few decades with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, a predictably curative treatment for glioma does not yet exist. New insights into specific gene mutations that arise in this often deadly form of brain cancer have pointed to the potential of gene therapy, but its very difficult to effectively deliver toxic or missing genes to cancer cells in the brain. Now, Johns Hopkins researchers report they have used nanoparticles to successfully deliver a new therapy to glioma cells in the brains of rats, prolonging their lives. A draft of the study appeared this week on the website of the journal ACS Nano.

Previous research on mice found that nanoparticles carrying genes can be taken up by brain cancer cells, and the genes can then be turned on. However, this is the first time these biodegradable nanoparticles have effectively killed brain cancer cells and extended survival in animals.

For their studies, the Johns Hopkins team designed and tested a variety of nanoparticles made from different polymers, or plastics. When they found a good candidate that could deliver genes to rat brain cancer cells, they filled the nanoparticles with DNA encoding an enzyme, herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVtk), which turns a compound with little effect into a potent therapy that kills brain cancer cells. When combined with the compound, called ganciclovir, these loaded nanoparticles were 100 percent effective at killing glioma cells grown in laboratory dishes.

We then evaluated the system in rats with glioma and found that by using a method called intracranial convection-enhanced delivery, our nanoparticles could penetrate completely throughout the tumor following a single injection, says Jordan Green, Ph.D, associate professor of biomedical engineering and ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins. When combined with systemic administration of ganciclovir, rats with malignant glioma lived significantly longer than rats that did not receive this treatment. (Intracranial convection-enhanced delivery uses a pressure gradient to enhance diffusion throughout the tumor.)

In addition to revealing that biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles represent a promising mode of gene delivery for glioma, the findings show that nonviral DNA delivery of HSVtk combined with administration of ganciclovir has potent antitumor effects. To date, this type of system has only been used in humans with viral methods of gene delivery, of which the safety profiles are still heavily in debate, says Betty Tyler, associate professor of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins. Additional studies are needed to see if these nanoparticles could also effectively deliver other antitumor genes for the treatment of brain tumors as well as systemic cancers.

Green also noted that additional safety and efficacy studies are needed before the treatment makes its way to the clinic. It also is unknown what the ideal gene combinations are that should be delivered using this nanoparticle delivery system, he says. We will move forward by evaluating this technology in additional brain cancer animal models.

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New Nanoparticle Gene Therapy Strategy Effectively Treats Deadly Brain Cancer in Rats

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Stanford Health Care: Blending Science with Compassion – Video


Stanford Health Care: Blending Science with Compassion
Pat Salber MD (@docweighsin) interviews Amir Dan Rubin, President and CEO of Stanford Health Care at the Personalized Medicine World Conference (#PMWC14) in Mountain View on 01/26/15.

By: The Doctor Weighs In

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Stanford Health Care: Blending Science with Compassion - Video

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International Stem Cell completes cell bank manufacturing for Parkinson’s disease clinical trial

Published 04 February 2015

International Stem Cell, a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell-based therapies and biomedical products, announced that the company has completed manufacturing of the cell bank of clinical-grade human neural stem cells using its patented process for the recently announced phase 1/2a clinical trial in Parkinson's disease.

The cell bank contains over 2.6 billion human cells, sufficient to meet the company's foreseeable clinical trial requirements.

"Completing the production of clinical-grade cells using the previously published protocol is one of the final steps before starting our clinical program," said Ruslan Semechkin, Ph.D., ISCO's Chief Scientific Officer.

"Because of the complexity involved in manufacturing live human cell products, having our own GMP facility is not only a strategic advantage, but also allows us to control the production costs. We continue to anticipate, subject to regulatory agency approval, beginning the clinical trial in early 2015 and will provide a further update in the near future."

ISCO's master cell bank of human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (ISC-hpNSC) is produced in compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and the chemistry and manufacturing controls (CMC) discussed in the previously reported pre-IND meeting with the FDA. The cells are karyotypically normal hpNSCs and free of measurable contaminants of human or animal origin.

The production of hpNSCs from undifferentiated pluripotent human parthenogenetic stem cells in the master cell bank uses qualified reagents and a standardized protocol developed by ISCO. The undifferentiated human stem cells are derived from the parthenogenetic line and were recently cleared by the FDA for use in clinical trials.

Each batch of hpNSC is subjected to standardized quality control testing to ensure viability, sterility and appropriate cellular composition before clinical use. The existing master cell bank and current production scale are sufficient to supply our anticipated product needs through pivotal clinical trials. The cell bank was produced at the company's state of the art GMP manufacturing facility located in Oceanside, Calif.

ISC-hpNSCs are a novel therapeutic cellular product derived from the Company's proprietary human pluripotent stem cells. Neural stem cells are self-renewing multipotent cells that are precursors for the main cell types of the central nervous system.

The ability of ISC-hpNSCs to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and express brain-protecting neurotrophic factors offers a new opportunity for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. ISCO's preclinical program includes animal studies to assess the safety and tolerability of our novel cell therapy as well as doses ranging efficacy to be used to design the first clinical trial in Parkinson's disease patients.

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International Stem Cell completes cell bank manufacturing for Parkinson's disease clinical trial

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Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy May Heal Heart Damage Caused by …

Late-Breaking Basic Science Research Presented at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Shows Stem Cell Treatment Restores Heart Function Damaged by Muscular Disease

Contact: Sally Stewart Email: sally.stewart@cshs.org

Los Angeles - Nov. 17, 2014 Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have found that injections of cardiac stem cells might help reverse heart damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, potentially resulting in a longer life expectancy for patients with the chronic muscle-wasting disease.

The study results were presented today at a Breaking Basic Science presentation during the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago. After laboratory mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were infused with cardiac stem cells, the mice showed steady, marked improvement in heart function and increased exercise capacity.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects 1 in 3,600 boys, is a neuromuscular disease caused by a shortage of a protein called dystrophin, leading to progressive muscle weakness. Most Duchenne patients lose their ability to walk by age 12. Average life expectancy is about 25. The cause of death often is heart failure because the dystrophin deficiency leads to cardiomyopathy, a weakness of the heart muscle that makes the heart less able to pump blood and maintain a regular rhythm.

"Most research into treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients has focused on the skeletal muscle aspects of the disease, but more often than not, the cause of death has been the heart failure that affects Duchenne patients," said Eduardo Marbn, MD, PhD, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and study leader. "Currently, there is no treatment to address the loss of functional heart muscle in these patients."

During the past five years, the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute has become a world leader in studying the use of stem cells to regenerate heart muscle in patients who have had heart attacks. In 2009, Marbn and his team completed the world's first procedure in which a patient's own heart tissue was used to grow specialized heart stem cells. The specialized cells were then injected back into the patient's heart in an effort to repair and regrow healthy muscle in a heart that had been injured by a heart attack. Results, published in The Lancet in 2012, showed that one year after receiving the experimental stem cell treatment, heart attack patients demonstrated a significant reduction in the size of the scar left on the heart muscle.

Earlier this year, Heart Institute researchers began a new study, called ALLSTAR, in which heart attack patients are being infused with allogeneic stem cells, which are derived from donor-quality hearts. Recently, the Heart Institute opened the nations first Regenerative Medicine Clinic, designed to match heart and vascular disease patients with appropriate stem cell clinical trials being conducted at Cedars-Sinai and other institutions.

"We are committed to thoroughly investigating whether stem cells could repair heart damage caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy," Marbn said.

In the study, 78 lab mice were injected with cardiac stem cells. Over the next three months, the lab mice demonstrated improved pumping ability and exercise capacity in addition to a reduction in heart inflammation. The researchers also discovered that the stem cells work indirectly, by secreting tiny fat droplets called exosomes. The exosomes, when purified and administered alone, reproduce the key benefits of the cardiac stem cells.

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A few cells could prevent bone marrow transplant infections

Bone marrow transplantation is a life-saving therapy for patients with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. However, the depletion of the patient's immune system prior to transplantation can put patients at risk of for an infection by a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) that can be life threatening in these immune-compromised individuals. Now, researchers have found that a very small subset of anti-viral immune cells, transplanted along with a donor's blood stem cells, could be enough to fight and even prevent the disease caused by CMV, in research conducted in mice and published Jan 16th in the Journal of Immunology.

Anywhere between 50-80 percent of adults in the United States are infected with CMV, although the virus is kept under control by a healthy immune system. In patients with weakened immune systems, however, CMV can become reactivated and can cause life-threatening pneumonia, among other symptoms. Current treatment includes antiviral medication, but these are not always well tolerated by patients and they also harm the very cells that bone marrow transplantation aims to replenish.

"We know that re-establishment of anti-viral immunity in these patients is critical to fully control cytomegalovirus in bone marrow transplant recipients," says senior author Christopher Snyder, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Thomas Jefferson University. "Our study suggests that, in addition to infusing stem cells that restore the bone marrow, life-long anti-CMV immunity may be rapidly restored by also infusing a subset of anti-viral immune cells that have stem cell-like properties."

Currently, investigators around the world are experimenting with restoring the immune cells responsible for keeping CMV in check by transplanting those specific anti-viral cells from healthy donors -- a type of immunotherapy. "The problem," says Dr. Snyder, "is that current methods for selecting anti-viral immune cells may inadvertently limit the ability of those cells to restore life-long immunity."

To date, researchers have focused on developing anti-CMV immunotherapy around the "fighter" cells -- called CD8 T effector cells -- that attack and kill virally-infected host cells. These cells are selected and expanded in the lab to increase their numbers, but this process may limit their life-span and ability to divide.

Dr. Snyder and colleagues found that CMV-specific fighter T cells divided poorly in response to CMV infection or reactivation in mouse models. They hypothesized that a different type of CD8 T cells -- one that acts more like a stem cell -- could help control the infection long term. His group showed that a small number of stem-cell like CD8 T cells -called "memory" cells -were enough to produce and repeatedly replenish all of the T-effector cells needed to fight the disease. The infused memory cells became major contributors to the recipient anti-viral immune response, persisting for at least 3 months of time and producing the "fighter" cells at a steady stream.

In order to survey whether these cells have counterparts in humans, the researchers compared the genomic fingerprint -- the profile of genes that were turned up or down -- of mouse and human memory T cells that were specific for CMV and found that the two had similar profiles. "This suggested that human and mouse CMV-specific memory T cells are very similar populations. Therefore infusing similar cells into humans could improve on immunotherapeutic methods for controlling CMV infection," said first author Michael Quinn MD/PhD student in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Thomas Jefferson University. "This may be a valuable approach to keep the disease from emerging in people."

"Our data argue for developing new clinical trials focused specifically on using these T memory cells, in order to determine if it would indeed be better than current therapeutic options," said Dr. Snyder.

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The above story is based on materials provided by Thomas Jefferson University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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A few cells could prevent bone marrow transplant infections

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The Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center Announces Adult Stem Cell Public Seminars in The Villages, Florida

The Villages, Florida (PRWEB) February 03, 2015

In honor of our new location in The Villages, the Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center announces a series of free public seminars on the use of adult autologous stem cells for various degenerative and inflammatory conditions. They will be provided by Dr. Thomas A. Gionis, Surgeon-in-Chief and Dr. Nia Smyrniotis, Medical Director and Surgeon.

The seminars will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 10:00am at the La Hacienda Regional Recreation Center, 1200 Avenida Central, The Villages, FL 32159, and at 1:00pm and 3:00pm on February 17th and 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm on March 3rd at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, The Villages, 1205 Avenida Central, The Villages, FL 32159. There will also be a Social Hour with the Doctors at 7:00pm on February 17th and March 3rd at the City Fire American Oven & Lounge at Brownwood (Paddock Square), 2716 Brownwood Blvd., The Villages, FL 32163. Please RSVP for ALL events is mandatory at (561) 331-2999.

Dr. Gionis has been graciously invited to speak to the local MS support group at the 10:00am seminar on February 17 which will be held at the La Hacienda Regional Recreation Center.

The Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center (Miami; Boca Raton; Orlando; The Villages), along with sister affiliates, the Irvine Stem Cell Treatment Center (Irvine; Westlake Villages, California) and the Manhattan Regenerative Medicine Medical Group (Manhattan, New York), abide by approved investigational protocols using adult adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) which can be deployed to improve patients quality of life for a number of chronic, degenerative and inflammatory conditions and diseases. ADSCs are taken from the patients own adipose (fat) tissue (found within a cellular mixture called stromal vascular fraction (SVF)). ADSCs are exceptionally abundant in adipose tissue. The adipose tissue is obtained from the patient during a 15 minute mini-liposuction performed under local anesthesia in the doctors office. SVF is a protein-rich solution containing mononuclear cell lines (predominantly adult autologous mesenchymal stem cells), macrophage cells, endothelial cells, red blood cells, and important Growth Factors that facilitate the stem cell process and promote their activity.

ADSCs are the bodys natural healing cells - they are recruited by chemical signals emitted by damaged tissues to repair and regenerate the bodys injured cells. The Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center only uses Adult Autologous Stem Cells from a persons own fat No embryonic stem cells are used; and No bone marrow stem cells are used. Current areas of study include: Emphysema, COPD, Asthma, Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Parkinsons Disease, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Lou Gehrigs Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohns Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Inflammatory Myopathies, and degenerative orthopedic joint conditions (Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Spine). For more information, or if someone thinks they may be a candidate for one of the adult stem cell protocols offered by the Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center, they may contact Dr. Gionis or Dr. Smyrniotis directly at (561) 331-2999, or see a complete list of the Centers study areas at: http://www.MiamiStemCellsUSA.com.

About the Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center: The Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center, along with sister affiliates, the Irvine Stem Cell Treatment Center and the Manhattan Regenerative Medicine Medical Group, is an affiliate of the California Stem Cell Treatment Center / Cell Surgical Network (CSN); we are located in Boca Raton, Orlando, Miami and our new office in The Villages, Florida. We provide care for people suffering from diseases that may be alleviated by access to adult stem cell based regenerative treatment. We utilize a fat transfer surgical technology to isolate and implant the patients own stem cells from a small quantity of fat harvested by a mini-liposuction on the same day. The investigational protocols utilized by the Miami Stem Cell Treatment Center have been reviewed and approved by an IRB (Institutional Review Board) which is registered with the U.S. Department of Health, Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP); and our studies are registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). For more information, visit our websites: http://www.MiamiStemCellsUSA.com, http://www.IrvineStemCellsUSA.com , or http://www.NYStemCellsUSA.com.

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US Orthopedic Biomaterials Market Examined by iData Research in In-demand Report Now Available at MarketPublishers.com

London, UK (PRWEB) February 03, 2015

Over the next few years, the stem cells market is poised to continue to be the most rapidly growing segment, which includes the segments for concentrated bone marrow and stem cell bone grafts. Stem cells provide greater osteogenesis and osteoinductive properties than other bone grafts, and thus enhance bone repair. To date, their usage is only considered for the treatment of spine cord injuries, but the market is likely to witness further expansion in case other indications are approved, such as with the foot where a number of patients may experience poor vascularisation.

The orthopedic biomaterials market in the USA is forecast to gain traction through 2021. The ageing population is a key factor driving the market. In tandem with the surging ageing population, the incidence rates of osteoarthritis and other types of degenerative disorders are also expected to grow, thus driving the demand for orthopedic biomaterials. Additionally, a huge portion of the overall biomaterial products market is engaged in treating soft tissue injuries, and most of them are sport-related. However, high costs of the development of some products could hinder the sectors growth. Furthermore, the timeliness of a products final approval is often hard to foretell.

Medtronic dominated the orthopedic biomaterials market as of 2014, due to the lions share of the bone graft substitute sector. The company announced in June 2014 its intention to buy Covidien for USD 42.9 billion.

In-demand study U.S. Orthopedic Biomaterials Market worked out by iData Research has been recently published at MarketPublishers.com.

Report Details:

Title: U.S. Orthopedic Biomaterials Market Published: January, 2015 Pages: 288 Price: US$ 6,995.00 http://marketpublishers.com/report/medical_devices/orthopedic/us-orthopedic-biomaterials-market.html

The research report contains an all-encompassing analysis and forecast of the orthopedic biomaterials market across the USA up to 2021. It provides detailed market analyses of leading market segments, including bone graft substitutes, hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation, orthopedic stem cells, growth factors, cartilage repair, cell therapy, and machined bone allografts; the categories are further subdivided into subcategories by various parameters. The study identifies the game-changing opportunities and potential hazards in the market, traces the key trends and technologies expected to impact the overall market and each of its individual segments in the years to come, as well as sheds light on the market drivers and restraints. Essential information on the number of procedures is provided. Furthermore, the research study canvasses the competitive landscape as well as discusses the top 22 companies along with their success strategies, M&As, etc.

Report Scope:

More in-demand reports by the publisher can be found at iData Research page.

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US Orthopedic Biomaterials Market Examined by iData Research in In-demand Report Now Available at MarketPublishers.com

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Immunology and Respiratory Gene Therapy Market Insights in …

DALLAS, February 2, 2015 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- DALLAS, February 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

ReportsnReports.com adds Gene Therapy Respiratory Insight and Gene Therapy Immunology Insight market research reports on Pipeline Assessment, Market Trend, Technology and Competitive Landscape to its store.

The "Gene Therapy Immunology Insight: Pipeline Assessment, Market Trend, Technology and Competitive Landscape" industry research report provides in depth insights into the Immunology gene therapy. It has covered 10+ gene therapies covering 5+ Pharmaceutical companies. Studies are performed for approximately 10+ specific indications under Immunology. The Companies are utilizing 5 different technology platforms which have its own uniqueness and robustness. The Report is also giving insights about the vectors usage in Gene therapy which is approximately 55% for viral vectors, 27% for RNAi therapeutics and 18% for Non Viral vectors. The Report is also giving early winners of the Immunology gene therapy market using a proprietary Matrix Model. Complete research is available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/328010-gene-therapy-immunology-insight-pipeline-assessment-market-trend-technology-and-competitive-landscape.html .

The "Gene Therapy Respiratory Insight: Pipeline Assessment, Market Trend, Technology and Competitive Landscape" market research report provides in depth insights into the Respiratory gene therapy. It has covered 5+ gene therapies covering 5+ Pharmaceutical companies. Studies are performed for approximately 5+ specific indications under Respiratory. The Companies are utilizing 5 different technology platforms which have its own uniqueness and robustness. The Report is also giving insights about the vectors usage in Gene therapy which is approximately 22% for viral vectors, 22% for RNAi therapeutics and 56% for Non Viral vectors. The Report is also giving early winners of the Respiratory gene therapy market using a proprietary Matrix Model. Read more at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/328012-gene-therapy-respiratory-insight-pipeline-assessment-market-trend-technology-and-competitive-landscape.html .

These gene therapy market research reports provide the information across the gene therapy value chain covering gene therapy profiles core insights, pre-clinical data, clinical data, technology details, funding and licensing opportunities. The reports provide the target gene name, localization of gene, molecular function of target with descriptive mechanism of action. Using propriety Competitive Matrix models, the reports also provide the first in class market analytics providing predictive analysis of early market winners of the clinical therapies and pre-clinical therapies in a demographic presentation view.

These reports provide a snapshot of the global Gene therapy market scenario, market trends & drivers, manacles of gene therapy; a review of the marketed Gene therapy products and marketing status; Coverage of global gene therapies under development across the globe covering territories; Competitive landscape of investigational products for key players and key therapy areas; covers the product description, stage of development, licensors & collaborators, Development partner and Technology information. The reports also provide the pre-clinical and clinical outcomes of the gene therapies. Each report has covered the vector used, target genes, localization of gene and detailed mechanism of action. They highlight the licensing opportunities and funding details for gene therapies as well as provide information of dormant and discontinued pipeline projects while covering market analytics of gene therapies using a propriety model.

On similar lines, the Gene Therapy Partnering Terms and Agreements report provides an understanding and access to the gene therapy partnering deals and agreements entered into by the world's leading healthcare companies. The report provides a detailed understanding and analysis of how and why companies enter gene therapy partnering deals. The majority of deals are early development stage whereby the licensee obtains a right or an option right to license the licensors gene therapy technology or product candidates. These deals tend to be multicomponent, starting with collaborative R&D, and commercialization of outcomes. This report provides details of the latest gene therapy, oligonucletides including aptamers agreements announced in the healthcare sectors.

Understanding the flexibility of a prospective partner's negotiated deals terms provides critical insight into the negotiation process in terms of what you can expect to achieve during the negotiation of terms. Whilst many smaller companies will be seeking details of the payments clauses, the devil is in the detail in terms of how payments are triggered - contract documents provide this insight where press releases and databases do not.

This report contains a comprehensive listing of all gene therapy partnering deals announced since 2009 including financial terms, where available, including over 250 links to online deal records of actual gene therapy partnering deals as disclosed by the deal parties. In addition, where available, records include contract documents as submitted to the Securities Exchange Commission by companies and their partners.

Contract documents provide the answers to numerous questions about a prospective partner's flexibility on a wide range of important issues, many of which will have a significant impact on each party's ability to derive value from the deal. Order a copy of this report at http://www.reportsnreports.com/Purchase.aspx?name=262461 .

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