Related to Texas Cancer Prevention Organization Awards Rice University $3.7M for Cancer Diagnostic Bio-Nano-Chip

• 2009 in Review: Headline-Making Stories in the Biotech Industry
  Even though last year was marred by the economic crash, the life science sector showed significant progress.
  
• Cancer Cell Line Identity Crisis
  Researchers weigh in on the impact of incorrectly labeled cell lines on cancer research and drug development.
  
• Roche Takes a Stab at Getting mAbs Under the Skin
  Firm is testing Herceptin SC in Phase III and expects to couple it with a user-friendly delivery device.
  
• Antibody-Drug Conjugates to Fight Cancer
  While mAbs have been extremely successful, these empowered antibodies are touted as the next big blockbusters.
  
• Avastin: Time for a Predictive Test
  Roche’s strategy to expand the use of Avastin into the first-line and adjuvant settings is particularly dependent on identifying those most likely to see a benefit.
  
• Biomarkers Poised for Breakout Moment
  A passel of discussions at BIO highlight the importance of these disease-state indicators.
  
• Nanotechnology Enables Precise Cancer Targeting
  While first-generation nanodrugs reduced toxicity, next-gen treatments are being designed to increase efficacy.
  
• Amgen’s Biomarker Research Underlies Vectibix’ Success
  Next-generation sequencing technology is being used on Phase III trial data.
  
• What Comes After Dendreon’s Provenge?
  Success of prostate cancer vaccine has ushered in a wave of autologous vaccine development.
  
• Will a Nonautologous Cancer Vaccine Be the Next to Make It Through Approval?
  In the race to mimic Dendreon’s success with Provenge, off-the-shelf products make for attractive opportunities.
  
• Tales from the Biotech Crypt: Sam Waksal Is Back in Business
  Former ImClone CEO has started a new firm, made three acquisitions including Three Rivers, and begun licensing.
  
• Melanoma Cells: All Stem Cells in Disguise?
  Researchers believe that the cancer stem cell theory may not apply to all cancers.
  
• Getting Personal: Multigene Testing for Individual Cancer Evaluation
  Scientists find comfort in numbers, using molecular patterns as prognostic markers.
  
• What Will Succeed Lipitor as the Next Blockbuster Cholesterol-Lowering Drug?
  CETP inhibitors are vying to take over from statins, but one major failure hovers ominously.
  
• Tumor Cells Back in Circulation for Monitoring Cancer
  With one test on the market, researchers are developing tools that leverage CTCs as biomarkers.
  
• What’s Wrong with Phase II Trials?
  A better early-phase clinical plan could address high attrition rates in Phase III.
  
• Clinical Successes and New Technologies Revive Gene Therapy
  With some of the safety kinks worked out, gene-based treatments are making more progress.
  
• FDA Details Requirements for Regulatory Submissions of Genomic Biomarkers
  Agency hopes efforts to streamline biomarker development will advance more into the clinic.
  
• Does Clinical Success Mean Commercial Success for Cancer Vaccines?
  Getting insurers to pay for immunotherapies and keeping doctors more informed are key to market growth.
  
• Vaccine Isotype Seems to Affect Clinical Outcome in Blood Cancer Trials
  New results presented at ASH will impact production of autologous immunotherapies.