"DNA sequencing tools help scientists look at genomes of microbes"

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29 August 2011 - The New York Times


"Several teams of U.S. scientists are using DNA sequencing technologies to rapidly decipher the genomes of microbes to determine the origins of diseases.

"One team is planning to create disease weather maps and prevent disease outbreaks by gathering samples from various locations, such as hospitals and subways, and mapping the microorganisms' genomes.

"Meanwhile, another group was able to determine through DNA sequencing techniques the cause of death of a man suspected to have died of inhalation anthrax."

Original article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/science/30microbe.html?_r=1


Originally noted in: 

BIO SmartBrief - 30 Aug 2011
http://www.smartbrief.com

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POSTED 30 August 2011 by:

David A. Palella
BIOSCIENCE VENTURES Inc.
San Diego, California

cell: 619-787-5767
email:  dpalella@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpalella

web site:  http://www.BSVpartners.com

blog:  http://biobizdev.blogspot.com


& Group Founder:

Infectious Disease R&D and Business Network
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-godydbie-43/vgh/3937807/

Japan Biotech/Biopharma Partnering Forum
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2857975/

Biotech / Pharma Business Development, Licensing & Dealmaking
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-gp40f4dt-22/vgh/3964633/

& Co-founder:

Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/3921448

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30,000-year-old bacteria contain genes linked to antibiotic resistance

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In sum -- no bacteria alive today was ever defenseless !  Nor any bacteria alive 30,000 years ago.


"Researchers Find Antibiotic Resistance in Ancient DNA"

The New York Times -- 31 August 2011


"Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario examined the DNA of 30,000-year-old bacteria taken from the Yukon permafrost and found that ancient bacteria harbored major genes responsible for resistance to antibiotics. 

"Antibiotic resistance is part of the natural ecology of the planet, and this finding is a cautionary note about how we use these things," said Gerard D. Wright, one of the researchers."

...

The discovery that the bacteria of 30,000 years ago had genes for antibiotic resistance underlines the danger of looking at bacteria from a purely medical perspective. Resistance to antibiotics is a defense that bacteria have developed in an arms race that has gone on for a billion years.       

“Our use and overuse of antibiotics is amplifying the phenomena dramatically,” Dr. Blaser said."


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/science/01gene.html?_r=1

[ first noted in BIO www.SmartBrief.com ]

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POSTED 02 September 2011 by:

David A. Palella
BIOSCIENCE VENTURES Inc.
San Diego, California

cell: 619-787-5767
email:  dpalella@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpalella

web site:  http://www.BSVpartners.com

blog:  http://biobizdev.blogspot.com


& Group Founder:

Infectious Disease R&D and Business Network
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-godydbie-43/vgh/3937807/

Japan Biotech/Biopharma Partnering Forum
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2857975/

Biotech / Pharma Business Development, Licensing & Dealmaking
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-gp40f4dt-22/vgh/3964633/

& Co-founder:

Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/3921448

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Lightening strikes ! -- mid-sized Japanese pharma makes deal with biotech company !

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If you have not seen many deals the past 3+ years between American or European biotech companies and risk-averse mid-sized Japanese pharma companies ? -- then me neither.  Here is one below.

I hear many such deals are unannounced, but most biotechs worldwide need/want an announcement as validation for fund-raising purposes.  So I really doubt the size of this "unannounced" underground Japanese deal market.  And it's certainly not something any biz dev professional should tell his peers & board members really exists.  It will just raise their expectations unduly.

Your thoughts ?

Now, let's cut to the news:


"Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma taps Synageva for orphan disease R&D"

September 2, 2011 -- FierceBiotech.com

"Rare disease know-how remains a hot commodity.  Aiming to gain access to orphan disease and protein drug-making expertise, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma has struck an R&D deal with Synageva BioPharma. Lexington, MA-based Synageva, a rare disease drug developer, will pocket $3 million upfront in addition to unspecified research dollars from the Japanese drugmaker.

Using Synageva's tech for expressing therapeutic proteins, the collaborators plan to focus their research on a novel drug for treating an undisclosed orphan disease, according to a statement.  The target apparently won't be one Synageva is pursuing in its own pipeline, which includes its lead enzyme replacement therapy SBC-102 for LAL Deficiency."

...

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/mitsubishi-tanabe-pharma-taps-synageva-orphan-disease-rd/2011-09-02

The original release:

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/synageva-biopharma-corp-enters-development-collaboration-mitsubishi-tanabe--0

http://www.mt-pharma.co.jp/e

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POSTED 05 Sept 2011 by:

David A. Palella
BIOSCIENCE VENTURES Inc.
San Diego, California
cell: 619-787-5767
email:  dpalella@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpalella

web site:  http://www.BSVpartners.com

blog:  http://biobizdev.blogspot.com


& Group Founder:

Japan Biotech/Biopharma Partnering Forum
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2857975/

Infectious Disease R&D and Business Network
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-godydbie-43/vgh/3937807/

Biotech / Pharma Business Development, Licensing & Dealmaking
http://www.linkedin.com/e/-ubgx8c-gp40f4dt-22/vgh/3964633/

Biofuels & Sustainable Chemicals Networking Group
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/3891375/

& Co-founder:

Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/3921448


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