Bellicum’s prostate-cancer vaccine: Dendritic cells served with a genetic twist

Bellicum’s prostate-cancer vaccine: Dendritic cells served with a genetic twist

For a few brief months earlier this year, Dendreon’s Provenge looked like it might become the first cancer vaccine approved by the FDA, despite some iffy data supporting its effectiveness. The fate of Provenge now hangs in the balance following the FDA’s controversial decision to ask for additional data. But that hasn’t stopped Bellicum Pharmaceuticals from trying to improve on the work of its forbear.

(One quick note: Merck’s Gardasil and similar vaccines, which are frequently… Continue Reading

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Featured companies: 20/20 GeneSystems, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Cumbre Pharmaceuticals, Dara BioSciences, Enterprise Partners Venture Capital, Fermentas, International, Iasis Medical, New Leaf Venture Partners, Point Therapeutics, Power Medical Interventions, Rules-Based Medicine, Spinal Restoration, Still River Systems, Targanta Therapeutics

(UPDATED: See below.)

[NOTE: In the interests of getting items up as quickly as possible, I’m going to begin posting linked headlines, which I’ll subsequently flesh out in many — but not all — cases. As the news gets heavier, the briefing is… Continue Reading