Novocell: With diabetes study pending, investors pony up another $25M

Novocell: With diabetes study pending, investors pony up another $25M

Novocell, a San Diego embryonic stem-cell company, raised $25 million in a third round of funding. That’s presumably a bit of a letdown for the company, which had previously hoped to pull in as much as $35 million in the round. I wrote earlier about… Continue Reading

Is Big Pharma tiptoeing into embryonic stem cells?

Is Big Pharma tiptoeing into embryonic stem cells?

(Note: This item has been copied over to the Life Sciences page from its original location on the VentureBeat main page. To view it in its original context, with comments, click here.)
For what appears to be the first time, a major drug company has plunked… Continue Reading

Is Big Pharma tiptoeing into embryonic stem cells?

Is Big Pharma tiptoeing into embryonic stem cells?

For what appears to be the first time, a major drug company has plunked down a significant equity investment in embryonic stem cells.

Earlier today, VentureWire reported (sub required) that Novocell, an early-stage San Diego biotech that aims to treat diabetes with the embryonic cells, is… Continue Reading

Chinks in the stem-cell monopoly

Chinks in the stem-cell monopoly

The U.S. patent office has invalidated some key stem-cell patents, a significant move that could shake up a potentially huge market for embryonic stem-cell therapies that may one day restore all kinds of body parts for the sick and injured.

Yesterday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark… Continue Reading

Chinks in the stem-cell monopoly

Chinks in the stem-cell monopoly

(Note: This item has been copied over to the Life Sciences page from its original location on the VentureBeat main page. To view it in its original context, with comments, click here.)
The U.S. patent office has invalidated some key stem-cell patents, a significant move that… Continue Reading