Welcome to the August 2007 edition of Carnival of Biotechnology.
Industry Trends
Singapore-based ES Cell International, the company that was poised to lead in stem cell therapeutics, has abandoned its plans for stem cell therapies. Sometimes its hard for a company to live up to the high expectations they engender in their quest for financing.
In other news, Signals Magazine reports that funding is on track for a record year.
Drug Pricing
Pharmalot has an update on the ongoing saga of international price controls. The New Zealand government’s drug buying agency has expressed their frustration at not reaching an agreement over pricing for cardiovascular drug Betaloc, accusing AstraZeneca of gambling with patients lives. Not exactly ‘building a golden bridge‘.
The Wall St. Journal has an interesting report on the efficacy of diabetes drugs: “Old, cheap diabetes drugs are as good as or better than newer, more expensive drugs at lowering blood sugar.”
Innovation
The New York Times has an article on on how a lack of FDA guidance is impeding innovation in biotech foods.
According to the Wall St. Journal, Japan’s drug development industry is facing a crisis: “Domestic drug makers are having trouble competing overseas and the world’s drug makers are passing over Japan when introducing new products.”
That concludes this edition.
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