Blog Archives
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day 2013
Yesterday the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day at the Massachusetts State House. This event brought together Massachusetts Legislators and CF advocates, researchers, and care-givers. The event kicks off Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (May) and the series of Great Strides Walks the CF Foundation hosts each year to raise funding for CF research.
The event was moderated by MassBio’s President & CEO Bob Coughlin and program speakers included:
Mary Dwight, Vice President of Government Affairs, CF Foundation
Joan Finnegan Brooks, CF Patient Advocate
Ellen Schwanke, State CF Advocacy Chair
Martin Mense, Principal Scientist for Drug Discovery, CFFT Lab Head
Presentation of Proclamations
Top 5 News Stories: 3/23-3/29
1) Report hails Mass. biotech spending as job creator - Boston Globe – 3/26/2013
Halfway through a decade of investment promised by Governor Deval Patrick’s 10-year, $1 billion life-sciences initiative, launched in 2008, the state has spent only about a third of the money targeted to promote the biotechnology and medical device industries in Massachusetts. Link
2) US Food and Drug Administration approves Novartis inhaler to treat lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients – The Economic Times– 3/23/2013
US health regulators approved on Friday a hand-held inhaler made by Swiss drug maker Novartis AG to treat a type of bacterial lung infection that often affects cystic fibrosis patients. Novartis’s TOBI Podhaler contains a dry powder formulation of tobramycin, an antibiotic used to treat lung infection caused by the pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Link
3) Mass. gives $2m in scholarships for needed degrees – Boston Globe – 3/26/2013
In a renewed effort to boost the number of college graduates in fast-growing fields, Massachusetts has awarded $2 million in scholarships to public college students pursuing degrees in science, business, and health care. Link
4) Kraft Group backs autism test startup SynapDx, 3rd funding for firm since Dec. - Mass High Tech – 3/27/2013
The Kraft Group, owner of the New England Patriots and numerous other businesses, has made a “significant investment” into Southborough-based SynapDx, which is developing an early detection blood-based test for autism spectrum disorder. Link
5) FDA approves multiple sclerosis capsules - USA Today – 3/27/2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a new drug from Biogen Idec to control multiple sclerosis in adults with hard-to-treat forms of the disease. Link
Top 5 News Stories 9/1 – 9/7
1) How A $440,000 Drug Is Turning Alexion Into Biotech’s New Innovation Powerhouse Forbes 09/05/2012
Just days after announcing that its COO will step down and be replaced by former principal and manager of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Advanced Technology Development Center, Galectin Therapeutics says it’s moving its headquarters from Newton to Atlanta, but will maintain a lab in the Boston area. Link
2) Ocular Therapeutix enrolls patients in Phase 3 trial Mass High Tech – 09/04/2012
Ocular Therapeutix Inc. of Bedford has completed enrollment of a Phase 3 clinical trial of its ReSure Sealant, a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel intended for use during cataract surgery, according to a statement from the company. Link
3) FDA panel backs Novartis cystic fibrosis drug Reuters – 09/05/2012
Drug advisers on Wednesday backed a new form of Novartis AG’s inhaled antibiotic that treats a lung infection linked to cystic fibrosis. A panel of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 13 to 1 that Novartis had demonstrated that its tobramycin inhalation powder, or TIP, was safe and effective. Link
4) GnuBIO moves into new, larger space in Kendall Mass High Tech – 09/05/2012
Top 5 News Stories 4/27-5/4
1. Bioinformatics opens doors to new markets Mass High Tech – 4/27/12
The use of bioinformatics to find new applications for existing drugs is opening doors to treatments that are cheaper and easier to bring to market, and with that, a host of business opportunities. Link
2. State House News — Families coping with cystic fibrosis call for bill’s passage Wicked Local – 5/1/12
Parents of children with cystic fibrosis and those who have the life-threatening genetic lung disease spent Tuesday raising awareness about the disease and calling on lawmakers to allow patients to participate in discount and co-pay programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Link
3. Hologic goes beyond own devices Boston Herald – 5/1/12
“Hologic is becoming a bigger and bigger player,” Peter Abair, director of economic and global affairs at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, said, referring to Hologic’s Gen-Probe deal and its 2007 acquisition of Cytyc, a Marlboro women’s health company. “It speaks to the health of the company and the industry here.” Link
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day at State House Kicks Off CF Awareness Month
Today the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day at the Massachusetts State House. This event brought together Massachusetts Legislators and CF advocates, researchers, and care-givers. The event kicks off Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (May) and the series of Great Strides Walks the CF Foundation hosts each year to raise funding for CF research.
Bob Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio
Representative Steven Walsh, Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing
Joan Finnegan Brooks, CF Advocate
From left: Bob Coughlin, Pamela Spitzer, Christopher Black, Jennifer Black, & Representative Steven Walsh.
Martin Mense, Principal Scientist for Drug Discovery, CFFT Lab
