Major Breakthrough in $5bn Osteoporosis Market ()

Everything started with this observation: patients with High Bone Mass Syndrome have an abnormally low level of serotonin in their blood, and menopausal women with this disease never develop osteoporosis. Gerard Karsenty's team tested gut serotonin synthesis inhibitors in animal models. They discovered a way to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, which in turn leads to bone formation. This could be the first anabolic treatment of osteoporosis, and it could be administered orally. This breakthrough discovery suggests a new approach to the treatment osteoporosis, a major metabolic disease representing a $5bn market in the US.

Inhibiting Serotonin Synthesis in the Gut, Rationale for Treating Osteoporosis ()

Gerard Karsenty studied LP533401 in animal models and found no side effects. This molecule was also tested in early clinical trials, for irritable bowel syndrome, and no side-effects were reported. The next step would be to perform additional animal testing at different doses in different treatment regiments.

How Does an Anabolic Treatment Compare to Other Approaches in Development for Osteoporosis? ()

Amgen's Denosumab, expected to lead in the treatment of osteoporosis when approved, works by reducing bone resorption. LP533401 stimulates bone formation. This is the first report of gut derived serotonin being used as a target to treat osteporosis. Still, more work is needed to optimize the molecule. This will be the task of the Biotech and Pharma industry, but first they will have to call Columbia University's patent office (212-854-8444 - no pressure, just there if you need it).

Study of Rare Genetic Disease Leads to New Target for the Treatment of Most Common Bone Disease. ()

If the mandatory human clinical trials confirm the relevance of this new target, a inhibiting the gut serotonin synthesis may lead to a very convenient way to prevent and treat osteoporosis, and to a blockbuster drug.

Who is Investing in Biotech Today? Kris Jenner (1/3) ()

Marina Bozilenko interviews Dr. Kris Jenner of T. Rowe Price. What is the mood this year at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference? What business models are investors looking for nowadays? How is the tone cautiously optimistic? Who is investing in Biotech today? Are we looking at the "core 100" or has the base expanded?

Reconsidering Small and Mid Caps, IPOs, and Value Drivers. Kris Jenner (2/3) ()

Are small and mid-cap Biotech companies now being favored by investors? Many IPO have been filed; what will make T. Rowe buy? What will be driving the value of biotechnology stocks in 2010? An interview of Dr. Kris Jenner of T. Rowe Price, by Marina Bozilenko.

Shareholder Activism in 2010, Good or Bad? Kris Jenner (3/3) ()

Will shareholder activism increase this year? How will that affect Biotech? What are your market predictions for 2010? An interview of Dr. Kris Jenner of T. Rowe Price, by Marina Bozilenko.

A Transformative Crisis, or Just Another Cycle? Ansbert Gadicke (1/3) ()

Marina Bozilenko interviews Dr. Ansbert Gadicke of MPM Capital. What is different this year at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference? Does it look like we just went through another cycle, or are we seeing transformative change in the industry? From the venture capital perspective, how can this change be characterized? Where are we seeing increased pressure? What are the VCs looking at in new investments?

Key Issues for Venture Capital Invetments and Fund Raising. Ansbert Gadicke (2/3) ()

What are the key issues for venture capitalists in the current market environment? prediction for new funds trying to raise K? effect on the community? How will it affect early stage technology? An interview of Dr. Ansbert Gadicke of MPM Capital, by Marina Bozilenko.

Pharma Opportunities, Novel Technologies, and Diseases of the Decade. Ansbert Gadicke (3/3) ()

Will Pharma consolidation create attractive opportunities for Venture Capitalists? What will be the next decade in technology? Which disease therapies will define this coming decade? An interview of Dr. Ansbert Gadicke of MPM Capital, by Marina Bozilenko.

2010 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the Insider Perspective (2/2) ()

At the end of the 2010 JPM conf, what is the best company-profile for a successful IPO? Is it true that Pharma's validation is no longer sought? Is there a new trend in business models for biotech? What is the take home message of the 2010 conference? An interview of Geoff Meacham of JP Morgan, by Marina Bozilenko.

2010 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, the Insider Perspective (1/2) ()

Marina Bozilenko interviews Geoff Meacham, Senior Biotechnology Analyst at JP Morgan. What were the companies that gave the tone, and what was the major news that came out during the week? What are the major milestones that could make or break 2010 for biotech? Have the under-served small cap become a good opportunity?

Oxford BioMedica, 60sec ()

Gene therapy and immunotherapy have enormous potential to benefit the lives of patients. Oxford BioMedica is one of the leading companies in this field. We have established a platform of highly innovative technologies to deliver genes that code for therapeutic proteins or induce an immune response.

Accera, 60sec ()

Accera, a privately held biotechnology company, discovers and develops breakthroughs in treating central nervous systems disorders. Accera's new and novel therapeutic approaches positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders, who are in need of effective, well-tolerated treatments, and their families. Through its proprietary scientific platform, Accera is developing therapies that address metabolic deficiencies and provide an alternative energy source for brain cells.

Wilex, 60sec ()

WILEX’s mission is to develop drugs with a low side effect profile and targeted treatment of different types of cancer as well as diagnostic agents for specific detection of tumours.

Epigenomics, 60sec ()

Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostics company focusing on the development and commercialization of in vitro diagnostic tests for cancer.

Genetic Technologies, 60sec ()

Genetic Technologies (ASX: GTG, NASDAQ Global Market: GENE) is leading-edge genetic testing and reproductive services business which, together with an extensive range of international patents and allied research activities, aims at uncovering the impact of DNA on health.

Paion, 60sec ()

The company is specializing in developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the hospital-based treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and thrombotic/cardiovascular diseases, indications for which there is a substantial unmet medical need.

MediGene, 60sec ()

MediGene's vision is the expansion of the potentials in medicine by means of utilizing biotechnology in a responsible manner. We apply state-of-the-art technologies in the development of innovative drugs for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. MediGene pursues the strategy of integrating all core areas of a modern biopharmaceuticals company from research to drug development and commercialization.

4SC, 60sec ()

4SC AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: VSC/ISIN DE0005753818) discovers and develops small-molecules for autoimmune and cancer indications. 4SC-101, a novel autoimmune modulator, is in a Phase IIb study in rheumatoid arthritis as well as a Phase IIa exploratory study in inflammatory bowel disease. The company’s lead oncology compound, resminostat (4SC-201), a pan-histone-deacetylase inhibitor, is in two Phase II trials in hepatocellular carcinoma and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Two further oncology compounds 4SC-203 and 4SC-205 are due to commence Phase I trials. Drug candidates are developed until proof-of-concept in order to generate value creating partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry in return for advance and milestone payments as well as royalties.

Agennix, 60sec ()

Agennix AG is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel anti-cancer therapies. The Company was formed by the combination of GPC Biotech AG and Agennix Incorporated. The Company’s most advanced program is talactoferrin, an oral targeted therapy that is in Phase 3 clinical trials in non-small cell lung cancer. Other clinical development programs include RGB-286638, a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor in Phase 1 testing; the oral platinum-based compound satraplatin; and a topical gel form of talactoferrin for wound healing. Agennix is a transatlantic company with sites in Munich, Germany; Princeton, New Jersey and Houston, Texas.

Algeta, 60sec ()

Algeta is an oncology company developing treatments for bone metastases and disseminated tumor types. The company's lead product Alpharadin is targeting bone metastases which occur frequently in major cancers including hormone-refractory prostate cancer, breast, lung, kidney and thyroid. The treatment of bone metastases represents an area of high unmet medical need.

Response Biomedical, 60sec ()

Response Biomedical develops, manufactures and markets rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for use with our proprietary RAMP® (Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform) System for clinical and environmental applications. RAMP® has set a new performance standard in rapid diagnostic testing by providing lab quality information in minutes.

Magforce, 60sec ()

MagForce Nanotechnologies AG is the global leader in the field of nanotechnology cancer treatment. This revolutionary technology aims to establish a entirely new form of cancer treatment within the near future, using magnetic particles to treat tumors with very minimal side effects, thus enhancing patient quality of life. The technology and its related equipment are currently in the final phases of clinical trials. Until these have been successfully concluded, the products can only be used in conjunction with clinical trials. The products can only be sold and used in normal clinical practice once they have received regulatory approval from the responsible authorities.

RedPoint Bio, 60sec ()

Redpoint is utilizing its knowledge of the biology of taste and its relationship to metabolic processes, satiety and diabetes to focus its research programs on the development of healthier foods and new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

YM BioSciences, 60sec ()

2009 in Review, the M&A and Venture Perspectives (1/3) (7:02)

Fred Frank and Dennis Purcell share their perspective on the transformative events of 2009 that are indicative of the future. With 3 mega-deals (Pfizer + Wyeth, Merck + Schering Plough, Roche + Genetech), the pharma landscape is changing - unfavorably for biotech. The follow-on market was strong for large cap, although we've seen less pharma aquiring, and a challenging IPO market. Dennis Purcell comments "we've reset the bar in terms of what you get paid for." Fred Frank notes that while pharma's mega-deals often diminish value and are motivated by fear of patent expiration, the Pfizer Wyeth deal seems to have a more solid strategic rationale. The structure of M&A deals appears to be converging with licensing deals - with smaller upfront and larger milestone payments.

2010, Where Do We Go From Here? (2/3) (8:26)

Kicking off 2010, Fred Frank advises pharma CEOs to curb those silly stock repurchase programs, and Dennis Purcell advises investors to take capital when it's there and not be overly concerned with dilution. Fred and Dennis continue to discuss consolidation, predominant deal structures, the focus of biotech and pharma, as well as their natural evolution and partnership. Finally, Fred and Dennis share some thoughts on the upcoming biotech IPOs. Many filings are expected but the strength of the post-IPO market is the most critical point to be considered - one which Dennis Purcell says might be victim of an excessive supply from companies trying to raise capital and boutique investment banks pushing them out. Fred remarks that while success breeds success, the later stage companies with approved phase 3 that complete successful IPOs might be encouraging to earlier stage companies, that might not perform as well in the aftermarkets and kill the IPO market. Fred warns that "failure also breeds failure".

FAST Word Association Game, with Fred Frank and Dennis Purcell (3/3) (1:09)

Fred Frank and Dennis Purcell share with us their spontaneous reaction to key buzz-words, in this classic game presented here by John Mohr and introduced by Needham's Mark Monane. The day's words are : 'Biotech' 'Personalized Medicine' 'Regulatory Environment' 'PharmacoEconomics' 'Innovation' 'Investors'.

NASDAQ Perspective, Part 1 - Biotech Markets in 2009 (3:12)

While the perspectives might have looked grim early in the year, throughout the year, we've seen numerous signs of recovery and a newfound health in the markets. The Biotech IPO market reopened with Telacris (TLCR) the 4th largest deal of the year, and followed by Cumberland (CPIX) and Nuokang (NKBP) showing signs of an increasingly robust healthcare market, specifically for biotechnology. Since September 15th, the backlog started filling up with a dozen companies filing for IPOs.