IA. Biotech Update

Issue 10, Volume 15 (Phone: 515-327-9156 or fax: 515-327-1407) October 30, 2009
Receiving the current Biotech Update via e-mail or fax is reserved for
employees of IBA member companies only. For information about joining the IBA,
please access About IBA or call: 515.327.9156.
Late Breaking Items:
Healthcare: Efforts
continued in the Senate and House in consolidating the various healthcare
bills within the respective chambers into single bills. The House
leadership has scheduled the release of consolidated bill for Thursday
(Oct. 28). The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 28) reported the
anticipated House bill will expand Medicare eligibility to insure low
income families, expand Medicaid cost allocations to the states, and
address the ‘doughnut hole' in the seniors' prescription drug
program. Cost of the House bill is forecasted at over $1 Trillion.
To offset some of this cost the House is expected to impose an increasing
payroll tax on those companies having a payroll larger than $750,000
annually that choose not to provide health coverage to their employees.
Details on the Senate leadership efforts to consolidate the three healthcare
bills in the Senate remains a work in process. The Congressional
Budget Office reported the Senate Finance Committee bill carried a forecasted
cost over 10-years at $829 Billion. Several governors have stepped
forward to reference the substantial increase proposed revisions in
Medicaid will have on their state budgets.
Climate/Greenhouse Gases:
The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee has begun discussion
on a climate bill from Senators John Kerry (D.-MA) and Barbara Boxer
(D.-CA). This bill calls for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions below 2005 levels by 2020. (The House passed bill calls
for a 17% reduction.) Both Senate and House bills require companies
to hold permits defining allowable emission limits for greenhouse gases,
based on the theory greenhouse gases are responsible for a long-term
rise in global temperatures. EPA has issued its estimated cost
of the Senate and House bills would cost the average household $80-110/year
(if one assumes there are 100 million households in the U.S. the impact
of either bill equates to $8 – 11 Billion/year). The Oct. 27
Des Moines Register carried a story citing four independent statisticians
who were asked to review climate data for trends. Their conclusion,
“You're going to get a different (trend) line, depending on which
year you choose (as the base year).” A report from the UK Friends
of the Earth entitled, “Climate Change, Food, Poverty and the Price
of Failure to the UK,” concludes, “without emission cuts of at least
40% by 2020, wheat, rice and maize yields will plummet, affecting trade
and consumption patterns.” (Editor's Note: Interesting
to note these conclusions are based solely on a mathematical models
that statistically are questionable and ignore the economic impacts
a radical change in costs of production/processing/distribution that
would result from enacting their recommendation.)
At the Oct. 29 seminar on Climate
Change, Agriculture and Trade: Promoting Policy Coherence, sponsored
by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, speakers from the Int'l.
Food & Agriculture Trade Policy Council and the Int'l. Centre
for Trade and Sustainable Development addressed the importance of addressing
climate change within the context of securing world food security.
The two groups also issued reports and recommendations for policymakers.
For details contact Sharon Bomer at BIO (sbomer@bio.org).
The House of Representatives
has approved $121 Billion in the appropriations bill for USDA, $7.3
Billion going to nutrition programs.
USDA has awarded 83 grants
totaling $17.5 million for food and feed safety standards covering four
major areas: response, intervention, innovation and prevention.
Nine states will receive funding.
The U.S. Patent & Trademark
Office announced it would agree to drop rules that would have restricted
the number of times a patent applicant could change its application.
The change is a result of a lawsuit brought in 2007 challenging the
rules, which later received a court ruling that the rules were unconstitutional.
Members of the Midwest Legislative
Conference of the Council of State Governments have adopted policy resolutions
supporting the increased use of ethanol and biodiesel. Also adopted
was support for establishing ethanol blender pumps and the use of sound
scientific methods when attempting to calculate carbon emissions.
The 11 Midwestern states participating are IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, NE,
ND, OH, SD, and WI.
BIO
reports:
USDA's
Biotechnology Regulatory Services will hold a meeting on current biotechnology
regulatory practices on Nov. 17 beginning at 8:30 am in Riverdale, MD.
Donating
$15,000 to FFA for youth science education.
The
2011 BIO International Convention will be June 27-30 in Washington,
DC. The 2012 convention will be June 18-21 in Boston, MA.
Coming BIO & related events:
Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy, Nov. 8-11, Honolulu, HA.
For details to go www.bio/org. The Early-Bird Registration
Discount expires August 28.
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FDA issued:
A
draft guidance on risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for drugs
and biologics.
A
release advising consumers that certain vitamin supplements can be useful
and consumers may have good reason to take them, but should not be considered
as a replacement for a healthy diet.
A
revised guidance on structured product labeling to reflect advances
in electronic labeling. Comments are due by Dec. 28.
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg
told the Senate HELP Committee that the House passed bill (Food Safety
Enhancement Act) needs to be stronger and have greater funding.
The House bill provides $3.7 Billion, partly funded by the industry
paying an annual $500 fee per facility.
The Royal Society, UK's independent
scientific academy, issued a report, Reaping the Benefits: Science
and the Sustainable Intensification of Global Agriculture.
The Society supports genetically modified crops for increasing yield
and minimizing the environmental impact on the farm sector.
The 2009 World Food Prize Laureate
was presented to Dr. Gebisa Ejata for his work in Ethiopia in plant
breeding of sorghum.
EU Agriculture Commissioner
Mariann Fischer Boel is urging EU governments to “stop blocking imports
of animal feed if it contains only traces of banned genetically modified
organisms as such policies harm the meat sector.”
Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture
has announced the approval of 15 experimental permits for field trials
of genetically enhanced maize. The announcement ends 11 years
of moratorium. The applications came from Dow AgroSciences, Dupont-Pioneer
and Monsanto.
President Obama announced $5
Billion in funding for biomedical research projects, 20% to be focused
on genomic research. An estimated 12,000 grants will be awarded
The U.S. General Accounting
Office issued a report suggesting, “Congress should consider revising
or ending the $0.45/gallon tax credit for blending corn ethanol with
gasoline.” GAO estimated the blend credit could cost $6.7 Billion
in lost government revenue, up from $4 Billion last year.
Early 2009 testing by the National
Assessment of Educational Progress found 4th graders in the
U.S. had made virtually to gains in math scores since their 2007 testing.
International data from the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics
and Science Study placed U.S. 4th graders at # 11 and 8th
graders ranking at 9th.
U.S. EPA and the European Union
have announced separate plans to study possible health effects and business
implications of nanotechnology.
U.S. Department of Energy announced
37 grant awards, totaling $151 million, have been made for transformational
energy research projects. Among the funded projects was one from
Iowa State University for $4.37 million to study metabolic engineering
and synthetic biology to increase lipid production, carbon dioxide update
and thermal tolerance of algae for producing biofuels directly from
sunlight and carbon dioxide.
A recent item reported by the
Wall Street Journal was a survey of employers found 2/3rds of those
surveyed plan to require workers to pay more of their healthcare bill
via higher premiums, larger deductibles and copays. GM is reportedly
going to high-deductible insurance will require an individual to cover
the first $1,300/year in health costs and families would need to cover
the first $3,100/year.
Food & Agriculture
The Center for Consumer Freedom
has launched a campaign to educate consumers about high fructose corn
syrup. A few studies since 2004 have hypothesized the sweetener
may have a link to increasing obesity rates. Some food companies
have begun using these unsubstantiated studies to secure a marketing
edge by playing on an alleged consumer fear, according to the Center.
Tate & Lyle report consumers
continue to be prepared to pay more for foods that note health attributes
and are becoming more sophisticated in their attitudes toward diet and
food labeling. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive
and covered German, French, English, Spanish and Italian consumers.
Approximately 80% said they would be prepared to pay more for foods
having specific health claims, like ‘helps to control cholesterol'
or ‘improves cardiovascular health.' Three out of four respondents
said fructose is their favorite sweetener.
Context Marketing, surveying
600 online respondents between 20-64 years of age, found, “Newer food
quality and ethical claims on food are grabbing consumer attention away
from more established claims like ‘organic' or ‘free range.'
The top three claims were ‘low-mercury seafood', ‘no pesticides'
and ‘no artificial hormones.'
Monsanto and Solae have received
notification from FDA granting Generally Regarded As Save (GRAS) designation
for their genetically enhanced soybean containing stearidonic acid (omega-3).
Bayer, in cooperation with
academic researchers in China and Australia and the Dutch biotech firm
Keygene N.V., has reported completion of the mapping of rapeseed (also
known as canola).
The European Commission failed
to secure sufficient agreement to approve Syngenta's MIR604 insect
resistant maize. The Commission failed to secure the necessary
votes covering Monsanto's MON 88017 and MON 89034 and Pioneer's
59122xNK603 varieties as well.
The European Commission is
reported to be considering labeling requirements to aide consumers in
identifying ‘animal friendly' products and incentives to producers
to improve animal welfare.
Bayer CropScience and Japanese
Scivax Research & Development have agreed to research and develop
high yield plants that can tolerate abiotic stress conditions.
The plant to be studied will be cotton.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
The Federal Trade Commission
has given its approval for Pfizer's acquisition of Wyeth, but will
require the divestment of assets in the animal health market.
Pfizer has reached agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica to
sell part of Wyeth's Fort Dodge Animal Health business. Pfizer
anticipates a 15% reduction in the combined entity's work force.
Ecuador's government has
announced plans it will issue ‘compulsory licenses' to local manufacturers
allowing the production of over 2,000 patented drugs. Pfizer,
GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer have voiced their willingness to support the
government action. Similar actions have been taken by the governments
in Brazil and Thailand.
The Oct. 29th edition
of the Des Moines Register ran a story, “New Iowa Approach
to Health Care Examined.” The article referenced efforts by
a Harlan, IA clinic that has re-organized its operations to track patient
health indicators via computer to help identify health problems before
they become emergency room visits.
Industrial Bioprocessing
& Biofuels
The Nov. 8-11 BIO 2009 Pacific
Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy will focus on
three primary areas: New Biopolymers and Biomonomer Platforms, Stimulation
of Methane Generation from Coal, and Commercialization of Renewable
Chemicals. Mike Ott, IBA's Associate Director will be part of
an international panel making a presentation.
Researchers at the University
of IA reported in Applied & Environmental Microbiology the
use of whole-cell biocatalysis for the oxidation of naphthalene to 1-napthol
in a liquid-liquid, two-phase system. The work comes out the Chemical
& Biochemical Engineering Department.
Genencor, a unit of Danisco
(with a facility in Cedar Rapids), have developed a new HS-protease
product for the washing industry that reduces energy and water consumption.
Brazil may look to the U.S.
to import ethanol, given the weaker dollar and sugar prices near a 30-year
high, according to a Reuter's story.
Poet (with several Iowa facilities)
has received a $6.85 million DOE grant to further its goal of establishing
a 700 tons of biomass/day infrastructure and a market for corncobs.
An additional $13.5 million is anticipated next year.
Poet is reported to have developed
a co-product (Inviz) from its ethanol production that can be a replacement
for a petroleum-based product used in many household goods.
Hartwig Energy Consulting has
released a forecast that global biofuels are expected to double by 2015.
Global ethanol demand is expected to represent 12-14% of the world gasoline
pool by 2015.
Iowa State University has been
awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study
plant structures, genetics, mechanisms and metabolism associated with
biological hydrocarbon production.
Brazilian researchers reported
in the International Journal of Food Science & Technology
using fiber inulin as a flavor-fixing agent. The research reported
achieving a 7-fold increase in dietary fiber and a 25% reduction in
the glycemic index by replacing the partially hydrogenated vegetable
oil with inulin oligofructose.
A nationwide survey by the
National Corn Growers Association found 95% of the 1,000 U.S. voters
that were polled, agreed that farmers are trusted messengers on
agricultural issues covering corn products and ethanol. Ethanol
was viewed by 65% of the sample as a good alternative fuel.
Metabolix (with an ADM joint
venture facility in Clinton) has received a USDA grant for further enhancement
of its development work on biobased and biodegradable plastic resins.
Metabolix is reported to have
completed field trials of genetically enhanced tobacco capable of producing
polyhydroxyalkanoate-based polymers.
Green Plains Renewable Energy
(with facilities in Shenandoah) has unveiled it pilot project producing
algae capable for biodiesel production. The process draws upon
CO2 coming off its ethanol production facility.
Neutraceuticals
Earlier this month the European
Food Safety Authority rejected nearly 2/3 of more than 500 health claim
submissions from the functional foods and food supplements industry.
Critical factors for probiotic health claim submissions were genetic
typing, internationally recognized naming protocols and evidence of
consistency in the final product.
USDA has updated its nutrient
database with more than 200 new nutrients and thousands of nutrient
references.
Probiotic products for sale
in Canada must comply within 6 months with new health claim guidelines
developed by Health Canada.
Economic Development
French President Sarkozy has
announced a 139 million euro investment to establish a fund to support
development of medical and biotechnology research.
Quebec's Minister of Economic
Development has announced a new strategy for developing the pharmaceutical
industry.
The KS Bioscience Authority
will provide $50 million to eight venture capital firms to advance KS-based
life science companies. Each venture capital firm is required
to raise at least $25 million from private or institutional sources.
There are currently 26 KS companies ready for investment through the
Authority's Heartland BioVentures program.
The Task Force on IP and Genetic
Testing has submitted its 300-page report and recommendation to the
US Patent and Trademark Office. The report is titled, “Final
Draft Report on Gene Patents and Licensing Practices and Their Impact
on Patient Access to Genetic Tests.”
Venture capital investment
in the 3rd quarter came in at $4.8 Billion into 637 deals,
as reported by MoneyTree™. Biotechnology deals secured the highest
level of investment at $905 million in 104 deals.
The FL Task Force on the Study
of Biotech Competitiveness has submitted its report to Gov. Crist.
The report recommends more state financial support, changes in tax and
environmental laws to help grow-attract-retain biotechnology industries.
Since 2003, the state has spent $750 million for more than 120 biotech
research and development companies.
General Electric announced
establishing a new $250 million venture fund for new life sciences technologies.
WI Governor Doyle announced
the changes in WI's investor tax credit laws, made earlier this year,
has lead to 8 biotechnology companies locating in WI.
New from the Technology
Based Economic Development Resource Center (www.ssti.org):
Interesting Research
see The Journal of Life Sciences Weekly Brief at www.tjols.com .
(Want
to promote your biotechnology conference, symposium or training class?
Submit your event for a free listing on the Event Calendar that appears
on IowaBiotech.com and other affiliate state associations. To
maximize your event attendance, advertise your event with our IowaBiotech.com
national network to cost effectively target your audience within Iowa,
by region or nationwide for the low rate of $125 for a three month ad
(this is the discounted IBA member rate). IowaBiotech.com is part
of a specialized national network of biotechnology and life science
‘trade associations' based websites representing more than 4,500
biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical companies, non-profit
research institutions, universities and supporting service sector companies.
For information on advertising or to submit your event to the calendar,
please access www.IowaBiotech.com/calendar.)
Research Grant Opportunities
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.
Member News
Researchers at Iowa State University
report identifying an enzyme leading to tuberculosis resistance in the
body's natural defense mechanism. They also believe they have
a method to neutralize the enzyme. Tuberculosis is a contagious
disease estimated killing 1.5-2 million people worldwide and appears
to be on the rise.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (with
a facility in Coralville) has raised $155 million via a debt placement
in Europe. The funds will be used to commercial the company's
lead hepatitis C drug (telaprevir) in Europe.
The IA. Department of Economic
Development Board of Directors has approved financial assistance to:
Wacker
Biochem, Eddyville, an $87 million fermentation plant, creating 38 jobs;
Pioneer
Hi-Bred International, Johnston, a $17 million project, creating 160
new jobs.
KemPharm (North Liberty) announced
the launch of a Phase I clinical trial for its new drug candidate (KP106)
for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Iowa State University has become
the new location for the Crop Genome Informatics Laboratory, the largest
plant database in the U.S.
Dr. Walt Fehr has authored
a new book, The First 25 Years of the Office of Biotechnology, Iowa
State University, 1984-2009. The 12-chapter book chronicles
the development of the university's life science programs.
The Iowa Coalition for Innovation
and Growth announced the creation of The Iowa Career Hub, which is designed
to raise career awareness. The Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/iowacareerhub.
The ISU Bioeconomy Institute
has announced December 1 as the date for its annual BIOeConference.
For details go to www.bioeconomyconference.org.
Iowa State University has announced
the publishing of its “2009 Research in Biotechnology.” The
directory identifies 330 faculty conducting research and provides information
on the 27 biotechnology service facilities on campus. For details
contact Camie Stockhausen at 515.294.7356.
The Iowa Biotechnology Association
and National Cancer Institute have joined efforts to make information
about NCI's Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer
Programs easier to locate. A website link (www.iowabiotech.com/industry/busdev/busdev/_tech_national.htm) has created on the Association's
website.
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 is ready for occupancy.
The facility offers 20 wet lab areas, 16 office areas and provides 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) or go to http://enterprise.uiowa.edu/researchpark.
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 Nov. edition of the Iowa
SBIR/STTR Newsletter will soon be available at www.techtransfer.iastate.edu.
The Oct. edition of Iowa Biotech
Educator is now available from the Iowa State University Office of Biotechnology
(www.biotech.iastate.edu). Among the stories is the 16th
year free biotechnology K-12 educational materials are available through
the Office of Biotechnology (contact Lori Miller at lorimiller@iastate.edu).
July 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.
Technology Opportunities:
University
of IA Research Foundation:
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.
Iowa
State University Office of Intellectual Property:
Iowa
Biotechnology Directory Online – A comprehensive directory of
more than 240 Iowa biotechnology companies and Iowa Biotechnology Association
members is now available through www.IowaBiotech.com. Note that two versions are
available: one for the public and another just for IBA members.
Access to the “COMPLETE” industry directory, which includes contact
information, is an IBA membership benefit. To access our new private
‘members only' section please visit http://www.IowaBiotech.com/members/. If you have questions regarding
the log-in process please email Doug Getter (dgetter@netins.net) at the IBA.
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.
IowaBiotech.com News Release
Service – Want to maximize your company 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/.
Purchasing Update:
Sue O'Brien, Fisher Scientific,
has been named Regional Sales Manager covering several Midwestern states.
Ms. O'Brien can be reached at 612.327.2956.
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.
Purchase Contract Features:
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.
For
cost effective health & safety training, access www.IowaBiotech.com/health_safety_form. Training on radiation safety,
biohazard safety, or chemical hygiene specifically tailored for biotechnology
and medical device companies is available.
New Members:
If you know of a company that
would benefit from the Association's advocacy, financial savings and
education/workforce focus, please have them contact the Association
or go to www.IowaBiotech.com.
State Topics:
John and Mary Pappajohn have
committed $26.4 million toward the construction, equipping, and staffing
a biomedical research building and institute at the University of Iowa.
BodyViz, an Ames company, was
awarded the first place prize of $25,000 at the 2009 Iowa Entrepreneur
& Venture Capital Conference. BodyViz has developed three-dimensional
imaging software to accurately view an individual's MRI images.
Second place of $15,000 went to Innovative Energy Solutions, an Ames-based
company working to convert plastic wastes into burnable fuels.
The awards represent the 4th annual John Pappajohn Business
Plan Competition.
Thermo Fisher Scientific announced
the closing of its Dubuque facility that made equipment for industrial
and laboratory use.
Governor Culver has announced
a $565 million across-the-board budget reduction for the current fiscal
year, based upon the latest quarterly Revenue Estimating Board forecast.
The Iowa General Assembly also announced several budget reduction actions.
Expenses for legislators during session will end after 80 days, rather
than 100 days, a 10% reduction in legislator pay, and several other
cost-cutting steps.
IDED's International Division
will conduct trade mission(s) to: (Contact Peggy Kerr (515.242.4745)
for details.
Mexico Feb. 7-11, 2010
Dates to Remember:
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.
Today's thought to
think on: "The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence.
To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." Pearl Buck
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