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Today's Top Story

Researchers develop safer method to create stem cells
U.S. scientists used an adenovirus to deliver four transformative genes -- Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc -- into ordinary mouse cells to produce induced pluripotent stem cells, which appear and behave like embyronic stem cells. Because the technique does not use retroviruses that may trigger tumors, it could lead to a safer way of testing cell treatments for sickle cell anemia, Parkinson's disease and other disorders, the study's lead author said. Yahoo!/Reuters (9/25) , The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (9/25)


Bioengineered pigs could aid research on cystic fibrosis
U.S. scientists have genetically engineered piglets to have the same mutation that causes cystic fibrosis. Since pigs' lungs share many qualities with human lungs, the scientists hope to gain a better understanding of how the disease develops and how it can be treated in people. Reuters (9/25).

Calif. stem cell institute to devise appeal process for grant requests
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's board was scheduled to meet Thursday to consider developing a unified appeal process that scientists can use to ask for reviews of denied grant applications. The board hopes to develop an appeals process that creates "some order from something that could become disorderly and unreasonable," said Alan Trounson, the institute's president. San Diego Union-Tribune (9/25)
Study: Flu vaccine delivered into lungs is more efficient, cost-effective
Australian researchers found that lower doses of a flu vaccine delivered directly into the lungs of sheep provided stronger immune response than the higher, standard injected dose. The finding suggests that lung delivery could provide improved protection and allow more people to have access to the vaccine because of lower doses, a researcher said. Reuters (9/25)


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Company & Financial News
Prices of costly specialty drugs continue to rise
Figures released by AARP show that the wholesale cost of specialty medicines, which are used to treat cancer and other complex diseases, went up last year by 8.7% -- three times the rate of U.S. inflation. The rising costs are "increasing the burden on people with chronic conditions who can least afford it," an AARP official said. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.


Ligand to acquire Pharmacopeia in stock deal
Ligand Pharmaceuticals announced that it will purchase biotech firm Pharmacopeia in a stock transaction worth as much as $70 million. The deal will help Ligand bolster its product pipeline and drug-discovery capabilities and is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2009. The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) (9/26) , Reuters (9/24) , San Diego Business Journal (9/24).

UCB withdraws EU application for expanded use of Vimpat
The European Medicines Agency's negative review of Vimpat's use in diabetic neuropathic pain has prompted UCB to drop its EU application for the expanded use of the epilepsy treatment. A UCB spokeswoman said the Belgian drugmaker plans to conduct an additional clinical study "to further substantiate the magnitude" of Vimpat's effects in patients with diabetic neuropathic pain. Reuters (9/25)
Arca Biopharma reaches merger deal with Nuvelo.

Arca Biopharma is set to merge with Nuvelo under a deal that is expected to be finalized early next year. The move comes after the FDA agreed to review Arca's Gencaro, a treatment for heart failure. "This unique transaction offers us the financial resources, people and pipeline as we continue to build our company," Arca President and CEO Richard Brewer said. American City Business Journals/Denver (9/25)
Other News
Expert: Alabama companies must take advantage of BIO conference
American City Business Journals/Birmingham, Ala. (9/25)

Food & Agriculture.
Biotech cotton could mean surge in crop in India, official says
Cotton production in India is expected to go up by 4.8% in 2009, driven by the increased use of biotech crops and favorable climatic conditions, said the country's textiles commissioner, A.B. Joshi. High cotton yields could raise exports to countries such as China but further weaken prices, which have declined by 10% in New York this year. Bloomberg (9/25)

Industrial & Environmental.
PGE, Columbia Energy will feed algae with CO2 to make biofuel
Portland General Electric aims to generate biofuel by using carbon dioxide emissions from one of its facilities to grow algae in a collaborative effort with Columbia Energy Partners. The companies plan to use oil extracted from mature algae to make biodiesel and livestock feed. The Oregonian (Portland) (9/26)


--Franklin D. Roosevelt,
32nd U.S. president