BREAKING NEWS: SENATE PASSES PDUFA:

MassBio Applauds Senators Kerry & Brown for Work on Passage of User Fee Package Link

1. Coughlin and Anderson: Bridging the state’s skills gap MetroWest Daily News – 5/18/12

A study released last month by the UMass Mass BenchMarks program revealed what many already sensed: the Bay State economy is picking up steam, growing at a rate of 4.5 percent, twice the national rate. Link

2. Three life sciences businesses among BBJ’s top 10 Mass High Tech – 5/18/12

On Friday, the Boston Business Journal Research Department published the BBJ 150, a list of the top 150 public companies in Massachusetts, ranked by 2011 revenue. Link

3. Former Secretaries Rubin, Paulson to speak at BIO Mass High Tech – 5/21/12

Former Secretaries of the Treasury Robert E. Rubin and Henry M. Paulson, Jr. will be in Boston June 19 to speak on a panel at the national Biotechnology Industry Organization annual meeting, called the BIO International Convention. The two will discuss the state of the global economy in a lunchtime keynote panel, moderated by BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood, the organization said. Link

4. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Seeks Applications to Fund $120 Million in Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research in 2012 Market Watch – 5/22/12

Funding Announcements tie to Newly Finalized National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda Link

5. Broad Institute cofounder David Altshuler is appointed to Vertex board of directors Boston.com – 5/24/12

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Cambridge biotechnology company, announced Thursday that David Altshuler, M.D., has joined its board as an independent director. Link