1) Four of the world’s top biotechs are in New England Mass High Tech – 08/29/2012

A new list of the world’s top 25 biotechnology companies, by market cap, includes four from New England. The list, compiled by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, also includes companies from California, India, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. In New England, Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec all broke into the top 25!

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2) Alnylam reaps $29M harvest in new ag bio deal with Monsanto Fierce BioTech – 08/28/2012

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals isn’t just about new therapeutics anymore. The Cambridge, MA-based biotech today announced that it had signed on with Monsanto as a strategic partner in the agricultural bioscience business, putting its gene silencing RNAi technology to work for the multinational operation.

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3) Researchers find way to grow tissue with nano sensors Mass High Tech – 08/27/2012

Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University and MIT have developed a method for embedding networks of biocompatible nanoscale wires within engineered tissues. According to lead researcher Dr. Daniel Kohane this landmark technology, developed in conjunction with fellow researchers Charles M. Lieber, Ph.D at Harvard University and MIT’s Robert Langer, merges electronics and tissue in 3-D to be used for new drug screening and implantable therapeutics.

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4) Irritable bowel syndrome drug gains FDA approval Boston.com – 08/30/2012

Food and Drug Administration gave the thumbs up Thursday for a new drug to treat chronic constipation that doesn’t respond to standard treatments. The drug, Linzess (linaclotide), is also approved to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

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5) Sunovion to buy Elevation, make $100M upfront payment Mass High Tech – 08/30/2012

On the heels of launching a nasal aerosol for allergies, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals said late Thursday that it will acquire Elevation Pharmaceuticals Inc., a private biopharma company that develops aerosol therapies for individuals with respiratory diseases.

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