IA. Biotech Update

The UN’s Rome Food Summit convened representatives from 181 governments ended with a call for greater assistance to developing countries to expand their food production, but failed to reach an agreement on a biofuel policy. Applying biotechnology science to increase world food production 50% by 2030 was viewed to be necessary to keep up with demand. The UN’s Food & Agriculture Director requested world leaders to provide $30 Billion/year to fight hunger and improve agriculture. (Editor’s Note: at this level of aid each of the estimated 862 million reported to be under nourished would see the equivalent of $32/year to improve their nutrition!)

The House of Representatives has passed re-authorization for the National Nanotechnology Initiatives Act. First passed in 2003, the re-authorization updates the legislation for advances made during the initial 5-year period.

The House Agriculture Appropriation Subcommittee has approved approximately $2.1 Billion for the FDA, $282 million more than the Administration had sought. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.

In the face of a public campaign to discredit starch-based ethanol fuel, 32 members of the House (including all five Iowa Congressman) signed a letter to EPA to refuse any request to waive or halt the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard contained in last year’s Energy Bill. A similar letter championed by Sen. Grassley and other Midwestern Senators was also sent.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration issued its 2030 forecast of world energy demand. Their conclusion, energy demand globally will increase 50% with the greatest anticipated increases occurring in China, the Middle East and Africa. (Editor’s Note: With this level of demand, all forms of energy will be needed, no single source will be the silver bullet. Those who lament federal support to develop alternative energies should visit the history of the establishment of the steel industry, rail industry, oil industry, road and air transportation systems. All those examples were able to grow from a small base as markets grew and were the beneficiary of substantive federal incentives. The ethanol fuel industry does not have this option – it must fit within a defined well-developed distribution system and established internal combustion engines.)

BIO reports:

FDA has approved NanoEncryption’s technology as a method for applying anti-counterfeit authentication and tracing brand protection measures onto individual dosages.

The World Health Organization’s annual World Health Assembly (2,704 delegates from 190 countries) have settled on provisions which will encourage developing countries to prevent/penalize anti-competitive practices involving pharmaceutical patents. A global patent database was also agreed upon.

IMS Health reported global sales of biologic drugs exceeded $75 Billion in 2007, up12.5%.

Brazil is described by ORG IMS Research as one of seven emerging pharmaceutical markets in the world. Other ‘pharmerging’ markets were identified to be China, Mexico, South Korea, India, Turkey and Russia.

Russia lead the U.S. in the 1st quarter with 42 new clinical trials compared to the U.S. launch of 33 new trials. Closing out the top five countries were the UK (15 new trials), Switzerland (11) and Germany (10).

FDA reported there were 174,216 adverse events reported by consumers in 2007 and 113,444 reported by physicians.

The European Food Safety Authority is creating a database of outside scientists for consulting on risk assessment.

The European Commission has reduced its list of nutrition and health claims falling under the 2007 regulation from over 40,000 to 1,500.

New labeling guidelines for the food industry have been issued by the UK Food Standards Agency.

A survey compiled by the UK’s Food Standards Agency found consumer opinion believing the risk analysis on animal cloning and products from cloned animals or their offspring which enter the food chain should be as thoroughly researched as new drugs. No data was included in the release.

The Wall Street Journal reported on June 11 that the International Energy Agency (based in Paris) announced the growth of global oil demand is headed for a six-year low. However, the group reports "new oil supplies remain elusive." The June 12th edition carried a story, "Refiners Face Obstacles to Processing Cheaper, Dirtier Crude Oil." The article references that no new refineries built in the U.S. since 1976, although capacity has grown 20% since 1985.

The Arthritis Foundation reported an estimated 46 million adults in the U.S. have been told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout. Lupus or fibromyalgia. By 2030, an estimated 67 million over 18 years of age will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

MA Governor Patrick has signed legislation establishing a 10-year $1 Billion set of initiatives for the life sciences. Key elements in the legislation are $250 million for research grants, $250 million in tax credits and $500 million for construction & improvement projects.

The Milken Institute has named MA as the "top spot" for growth in technology and science in the U.S. MD was designated # 2, CO ranked 3rd, and CA ranked 4th. The Milken rankings are based upon 77 indicators. Iowa ranked 35th.

Abbott Labs has opened a $53 million state-of-the-art research & development facility in Abbott Park, IL.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has published data on state real domestic product for 2007. Real GDP per capita for the U.S. was $38,020. The top five were D.C., CT, NY, MA, and NJ. Iowa ranked 24th at $35,814.

MD Governor O’Malley announced a $1.1 Billion bioscience initiative.

The National Institutes of Health announced committing $1 Billion over the next five years for ‘transformative research.’

AL legislators during a special session appropriated $40.8 million (a $5 million increase) for the AL. Math, Science & Technology Initiative.

New from the Technology Based Economic Development Resource Center (www.ssti.org):

Interesting Research (via The Journal of Life Sciences Weekly Brief at www.tjols.com ):

Regenerative Medicine: Neurologically Impaired Mice Improve After Receiving Human Neural Stem Cells

Alzheimer’s: Unexpected Study Results I Mice Open New Approach to Treatment

CT Scans: Whole Milk Is Effective and Cost-Effective as Oral Contrast Agent as Barium

Brain Tumors: Vaccine May Double Survival in Patients

Aging: Tumor Suppressor Genes Slow and Speed Process in Engineered Mouse

Parkinson’s: Electrical Stimulation Treatment Improves Walking Ability of Patients

Research: Public Funding of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Allows Other Countries to Make Gains on the U.S.

ALS: Risk to Soldiers in First Gulf War Is Time Limited

Schizophrenia: Gene Mutation Identified for 10 Percent of Cases

Prostate Cancer: Chemo Drug Shows Promise in Some Advanced Cases

Cardiovascular Disease: Agent in Red Wine Found to Keep Hearts Young

Cognitive Decline: Grape Juice May Improve Memory in Older Adults

Tuberculosis: Soldiers in High-TB Areas Face Epidemic of False Positives

SIDS: Smoking During Pregnancy Increase Risk

Malaria: New Discovery Could Help Control the Spread of Drug Resistance

Heart Attacks: Men with Vitamin D Deficiency May Have Increased Risk

Diabetes: Advances in Islet Cell Transplantation Make It Easier to Achieve Insulin Independence

Medication Costs: Higher Co-payments Reduce Use of Antidepressants

Pancreatic Cancer: Researchers Identify Biomarkers

Cancer: Promoting Release of ‘Feel Good Hormones’ in the Brain Could Help Control Tumor Growth

Newborn Deaths: Mother’s Obesity a Factor for Blacks, Not Whites

Childbirth: Antibiotics Can Prevent Wound Complications of Delivery

Age-Related Eye Disease: Eating Fish & Foods with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Lower Risk

Stem Cells: Cells Destined to Build an Embryo in a Mouse Can Be Manipulated to Build Cell Mass

Personalized Medicine: Gene Mutation Improves Drug’s Effect on Leukemia Patients

Overeating: Hunger Hormone Increases During Stress, May Have Antidepressant Effect

Colon Cancer: Abundance of Vitamin D Linked to Survival

High Blood Pressure: Only One Number Matters for Patients Over 50

Depression/Diabetes: One Carries an Increased Risk for the Other and Vice Versa

Mortality: Low Testosterone Appears to Increase Long-term Risk

Diarrhea: Novel Compound May Treat the Illness

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Oily Fish Can Protect Against RA, But Smoking & Psychosocial Stress Increase Risk

Growth Hormone: Blood Protein Could Serve as Marker for Illicit Use by Athletes

Herpes: Presence of Certain Virus Antibodies Linked with Form of Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africans

Agricultural ministers from Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt and Burkina Faso recently met regarding the food situation in their African countries. The chair of the group admitted the continent was not giving priority to developing its agriculture sector. Food imports to the continent are reported to run $20 Billion annually.

Bayer CropScience has opened a rice research facility in Singapore.

Bayer AG has reported developing a new production process capable of producing biotech drugs in tobacco plants. The first application may come for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients.

Canadian scientists have developed a transgenic tobacco capable of expressing biologically active IL13. IL13 (Interleukin 13) is a signaling protein capable of mediating immune responses, preventing excessive allergic inflammation and has the potential to treat type-1 diabetes, chronic arthritis and several types of cancers. The descriptive paper was published in Plant Biotechnology Journal. An abstract is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-7652.2008.00337.x.

Brazilian soybean growers have harvested 60.1 million metric ton from 21.7 million hectares this crop year.

USDA has reported agricultural exports will be a record $108.5 Billion in 2008. USDA stated producers are on track to export a record 63 million tons of corn and set a new record in exported pork.

Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot have published, Global Impact of Biotech Crops: Socio Economic and Environmental Impacts 1996-2006. The UK authors report, "biotech crops have resulted in significant global economic and environmental benefits and are making important contributions to global food security." The report is available at www.pgeconomics.co.uk. They report the global use of pesticides has been reduced by 630 million pounds (~8% drop) and that 2006 farm income was up over $7 Billion from biotech crops.

Pharmaceutical Update

The British Secretary of Health has announced the new Pharmaceutical Price Regulation System. Under the new pricing scheme, the British government regulates the overall profits drug companies can make from brand name drugs. The government has maintained its discretion whether to purchase a drug based on an assessment of efficacy and cost effectiveness.

A report from the Manhattan Institute for Public Policy examined 32 drugs and what private industry contributed to their development. The conclusion, "We find that for the discovery and/or development of all or virtually all of the thirty-two drug classes discussed…the contributions of the private sector were crucial."

According to a new report from the Milken Institute, seven chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions and mental illness) cost the U.S. economy more than $1 Trillion in direct and indirect medical costs annually. By 2050, the Institute estimates the cost could grow to $6 Trillion if no steps are taken to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Their data indicate over 109 million Americans have at least one of the seven chronic diseases.

The U.S. Council for Responsible Nutrition, the U.S. Natural Products Association and the National Foods Association of Japan have agreed to work together on regulatory and research issues.

The UK National Health Service has published guidelines advising doctors not to recommend Omega-3 food supplements and plant stanol and sterol functional foods to patients having a high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

A new report from Packaged Facts, "Baby Boomer Attitudes and Opportunities: At Home, At Work and On the Road," found ‘boomers (44-62)’ represent one third of the U.S. population and spend nearly $2 Trillion annually on products meeting their desire for vitality (functional mini-drinks, functional foods, and ‘souped up’ versions of foods).

Global New Products Database reported North America was the fastest growing market in 2007 for foods/beverages focused on digestive health. Europe, however, the led the world with 699 new product launches in 2007 (followed by Asia with 427 and the U.S. with 136 new products).

A study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry examined advances in understanding egg allergens. Egg allergies have a prevalence of 1.6-3.2% of the population and is thought to be the most prevalent food allergy among children. Bottomline, "There is no sufficient remedy for allergy suffers apart from avoidance."

Renewable Energy Group announced securing a funding commitment from U.S. Renewables Group, a $575 million equity investment firm. Under the commitment, REG will take over managing a 35 million gallon biodiesel plant in Houston, TX and a terminal in Stockton, CA. REG will now represent approximately 25% of the U.S. biodiesel production.

The National Ag-Based Lubricant Center operated by the University of Northern Iowa has been certified to perform ASTM D6751 Biodiesel testing. For details go to www.uni.edu/nabl. The Center has also received ISO accreditation under ISO 17025:2005.

ICM has announced its ethanol refineries will be capable of producing both food and fuel in 2010. The expansion will employ dry fractionation as the first step in its new six-part technology. The modernization will also increase ethanol production capacity, reduce natural gas consumption, decrease enzyme use and offer a platform for implementing further emerging technologies.

An updated report from Merrill Lynch found retail gasoline prices would be $21/barrel higher without ethanol competition.

Poet’s Ashton, IA ethanol plant has been recognized by Region 7 EPA with an Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award.

Novecta LLC has been awarded an Iowa Power Fund grant to determine the feeding value of crude glycerol to poultry and swine. Glycerol is produced during the biodiesel process. Joining Novecta on the project will be researchers at Kansas State Univ., Freedom Fuels-Mason City and Iowa State University.

The IA Renewable Fuels Association has developed a one-page Fact Sheet on Food and Fuel. For a copy go to www.iowarfa.org.

A new report, "Energy in 2020: Assessing the Economic Effects of Commercialization of Cellulosic Ethanol," from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce is available. Go to www.trade.gov/media/publications/abstract/cellulosic2007desc.html.

The Iowa BioDevelopment Center at Indian Hills Community College has established a newsletter, "The Beaker." The newsletter focuses on workforce and educational topics of bioprocessing. To access the newsletter go to www.iabiodevelopment.com or contact Chuck Crabtree at the Eddyville center (ccrabtree@indianhills.edu).

Updated federal grant requests for proposal information is now available online under the Members Only Section at www.IowaBiotech.com.

26 federal agencies covering more than 800 available grant programs have joined into a single website for easy access, www.grants.gov. Iowa State University also supports a Funding Source website at http://grants/svr.admin.iastate.edu/Funding/homepage.html.

The June 1st edition of the Des Moines Register ran a front-page story, "The Race to Make a Super Seed," and a front page story in the Business & Ag section, "Iowa Ingenuity rises to the challenge." The stories featured Monsanto, Pioneer, and Syngenta.

Genencor Int’l. broke ground for their Center of Excellence, Cedar Rapids.

Vertex (with a facility in Coralville) announced entering into a license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for two of Vertex’s HIV drugs under development.

Iowa State University will host its annual Economic Development Open House – The Role of Research in Economic Development, on Thursday, July 10. To register online go to www.industry.iastate.edu/openhouse. The program begins at 9 a.m. and will be held in the Molecular Biology Building.

Ryan Companies and NAI Iowa Realty Commercial have teamed with the University of Iowa Research Park for the construction of an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art office/lab/research facility. The new BioVenture Center will be ready for occupancy this fall. The facility will offer 20 wet lab areas, 16 office areas and provide additional space for new tenants having a need for 1,100-13,300 square feet. For additional details contact Tom Bauer (Thomas-bauer@uiowa.edu).

The March issue of the Iowa Biotech Educator has been posted to www.biotech.iastate.edu/IA_biotech_educator.

DMACC, Indian Hills Community College and others have established a website for job opportunities within the biorenewable energy sector (www.bioediowa.org).

The IA Dept. of Economic Development and the IA. Careers Consortium has streamlined their job posting service via www.IowaJobs.org. For details on posting a job opening, contact Kathy Anderson at IDED (515-242-4816).

The June edition of the Iowa SBIR/STTR Newsletter is available at www.techtransfer.iastate.edu.

The ISU Institute for Food Safety & Security has issued a newsletter, "Food Safety & Security Update." To access the newsletter go to www.ifss.iastate.edu/newsletters/ifss_spring07.pdf.

Mar. edition of the HR-One Source Human Resource News is now available. If you would like to receive their electronic newsletter, please email the Association office.

To learn about potential licensing opportunities go to http://research.uiowa.edu/uirf/pages/universal/available-technologies.html or call Zev Sunleaf at 319-335-4155.

Contact ISU's Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer at 515-294-4470.

The University of Iowa Reports:

Iowa State University Reports:

ISU’s biotech resources are listed on a CD. This is ideal for teachers and extension educators. It is available without charge by contacting Lori Miller at 515-294-9818.

NEW IowaBiotech.com News Release Service – Want to maximize your company’s or organization’s exposure? Submit your news release with www.IowaBiotech.com and receive national exposure along with archiving services "free of charge." This is a new IowaBiotech.com ‘community service’ to support the dissemination of company and nonprofit organization news. Upon submission your news release will be displayed in a rotational queue on the IowaBiotech.com home page. All news releases submitted will be archived as a historical research resource. To submit your news release please access http://IowaBiotech.com/addnews/.

Did you know under the Fisher Scientific/IBA purchase agreement your company/academic institution may qualify under the New Lab Start-up Program. If you are expanding or establishing a new lab, talk with your Fisher Scientific sales representative.

Want to recruit in Iowa, the Twin Cities, Denver, Dallas, Seattle, New Jersey or other select markets? Advertise your job openings on www.IowaBiotech.com - part of a specialized growing national network of biotechnology and life science state-based websites representing over 4,500 biotechnology, medical device companies, non-profit research institutions, universities and supporting service sector companies across the U.S. IowaBiotech.com’s national network allows you to cost effectively target your employee/staff recruiting by state, region or nationwide searches to reach a uniquely skilled labor force while minimizing re-location costs. As an IBA member, you receive a 12% discount from the standard advertising rate. Job postings are just $175/month for members. Your posting can also be placed within any or all affiliate state sites at no additional cost. To post a job, access www.IowaBiotech.com/ad/ad_jobs.htm or call 800-709-8907. Recruit better through IowaBiotech.com.

For cost effective health & safety training check out www.IowaBiotech.com/health_safety_form.

To promote your biotechnology conference, seminar or training class go to www.IowaBiotech.com/calendar.

To lease lab space or market your research park, advertise with www.IowaBiotech.com/ad/ad_facility.htm.

The Iowa Biotechnology Association has made special arrangement for a variety of items and services important to the success of your business. Very attractive purchasing agreements (call 515-327-9156 for details) are in place for:

Laboratory supplies, equipment & chemicals via Thermo Fisher Scientific – primary contract

Laboratory supplies, equipment & chemicals via VWR – secondary contract

Laboratory casework & equipment via Fisher Hamilton/Wynn O. Jones – primary contract

Laboratory casework & equipment via TMI & Kewaunee/Innovative Lab Sys. – secondary contract

Analytical Equipment & Supplies via Shimadzu Scientific, and Beckman Coulter

Employment Openings and Marketing Avenues via IowaBiotech.com & InfoResource

Office equipment, supplies & furniture via Office Max, Bryan Bellis, 800-821-8586 ext. 4953

Job descriptions, evaluations, regulations, staff development training are available through the Association’s endorsed provider, HR-One Source, a full service human resource firm. Contact Tom Hedrick at 515-221-1718.

New Members:

If you know a biotechnology company or a firm working in the life sciences or medical devices or lab services with operations or interest in Iowa that could benefit from membership please call or fax the office.

The 2008 MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum has been announced for October 1-2 in Cincinnati, OH. The website for details is www.midamericahealthcareforum.com. If you are interested in having your company present, please contact the Iowa Biotechnology Association.

The 2nd quarter Iowa Business Council Economic Outlook Survey concluded Iowa business leaders expect capital spending activity to improve as sales and employment levels moderate during the second half of the year.

The World Food Prize Foundation has announced Tuesday, October 14 for the 2008 Iowa Hunger Summit. For details go to www.iowahungersummit.org.

Terpenoid Therapeutics (at the U of I Technology Innovation Center) has been awarded two SBIR Phase I grants from the National Institutes of Health. Funding from one of the awards will be focused on preclinical development of novel compounds for treating bone disease. The second award will concentrate on developing innovative therapies for treating brain cancers.

The Iowa Power Fund has announced funding for two projects; $612,300 to the University of Northern to research the optimal mixture of prairie biomass vegetation on non-prime agricultural land and $12,500 to Iowa State University to assist in the 6th annual Biobased Industry Outlook Conference scheduled for September 7-10. Registration details are available at www.bioeconomyconference.org.

The National Ag-based Lubricants Center, Waverly, has published its Winter/Spring 2008 Newsletter, Advocate. The newsletter is available at the Center’s website www.uni.edu/nabl.

Does your town have one or more civic or volunteer organizations that typically seek informed speakers for a 12-15 minute interesting message? Do you belong to a breakfast or other group that generally includes an outside speaker? Please let the Association know as an IBA Speakers’ Bureau is being developed to help communicate the hope and opportunity, along with the issues facing Iowa life sciences.