New therapy for vasculitis will help patients avoid infertility and cancer Oct 18, 2009
Rituxan, manufactured by Genentech, is currently approved in the U.S. to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis ... In addition to the Mayo Clinic and Hospital for Special Surgery, study investigators hailed from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; Johns Hopkins in Baltimore; Cleveland Clinic; University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands; Duke University Medical Center; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Immune Tolerance Network in San Francisco; National... (EurekAlert!)
FDA Nixes Wider Use of Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Oct 18, 2009
The Food and Drug Administration has rejected an application to expand the use of rheumatoid arthritis treatment Rituxan for patients with earlier stages of the disease, biotech drug developers Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec said Saturday. Rituxan is approved to treat patients with moderate-to-severe cases of the disease who are treated first with methotrexate and another class of anti-rheumatic drugs, according to a statement from South San Francisco-based Genentech and Cambridge, Mass ... A... (ABC News -- Wire)
* Roche Q3 sales grow 14 percent Oct 16, 2009
Roche chief executive Severin Schwan said the integration US biotech firm Genentech was progressing well ... 8 billion takeover of Genentech in March after a protracted battle to win over Genentech shareholders, many of whom had expressed concern about a clash of corporate cultures between the Swiss and California-based companies. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Roche Raises Forecast for Sales as Revenue Exceeds Analysts' Expectations Oct 15, 2009
Roches purchase of Genentech will boost income from best- selling cancer medicines such as MabThera, also known as Rituxan, which was developed by the U.S. biotechnology company. It will also yield savings of 1 billion Swiss francs a year by 2011, the Swiss drugmaker has said. (Bloomberg -- Europe)
Roche Benefits From Tamiflu Sales as Q3 Shines Oct 15, 2009
Sales of Tamiflu outstripped expectations and Roche, which has sealed a $47 billion buyout of U.S. partner Genentech, on Thursday raised its full-year forecast for the drug's sales to 2 ... Roche continues to pay down the debt from its Genentech buyout, repaying 7 billion francs in the third quarter and committing to more than another 5 billion by mid-2010, and is still screening the market for small and mid-sized buys, Schwan said. (ABC News -- Business)
Google director, also on Apple's board, resigns Oct 14, 2009
Arthur Levinson, the chairman of South San Francisco biotech pioneer Genentech Inc., had served on the Mountain View search company's board since April 2004 ... Levinson declined to comment through a Genentech spokesman. (San Francisco Chronicle)
* World Business Quick Take Oct 14, 2009
Genentech chairman Arthur Levinson has resigned from the board of directors of Google amid a probe by US authorities into his membership on the boards of Google and Apple. In a statement on Monday, Google did not give any reason for Levinsons departure, but it comes just two months after Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from the board of Apple. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Google Board Member Steps Down Oct 14, 2009
Arthur Levinson, chairman of the biotech company Genentech Inc. and a Google board member since April 2004, is stepping down effective immediately. Google CEO Eric Schmidt said Levinson has been "a key part of Google's success these past five years" but offered no specific reason for the departure. (Newsmax)
Medicare would shift patients off $50 drug to $2,000 Oct 14, 2009
The change would benefit South San Francisco drugmaker Genentech, which makes both drugs but insists the more expensive one is better for patients ... For several years, doctors have used Genentech's cheaper drug Avastin to treat the leading cause of blindness in seniors, although it is not technically approved for eye care ... Kohl demanded an explanation for the change and questions whether "Genentech communicated directly" with officials about the policy. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Resignation further separates Apple and Google Oct 14, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO -- In a move that severs another tie between Google and Apple, Arthur D. Levinson, the former chief executive of Genentech, has resigned from Google's board ... SAN FRANCISCO -- In a move that severs another tie between Google and Apple, Arthur D. Levinson, the former chief executive of Genentech, has resigned from Google's board. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Genentech chairman resigns from Google board Oct 13, 2009
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Genentech chairman Arthur Levinson has resigned from the board of directors of Google amid a probe by US authorities into his membership of the boards of both the Internet giant and Apple. Google, in a statement Monday, did not give any reason for Levinson's departure but it comes just two months after Google chief executive Eric Schmidt resigned from the board of Apple. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Cancer drug is no different in effectiveness as gold standard treatment for macular degeneration Oct 10, 2009
The gold standard of treatment is ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech Inc.), which was FDA approved for AMD in 2006. Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech Inc.) was FDA approved for colo-rectal cancer in 2004, and has since been used worldwide as an off-label, local intravitreal treatment for wet AMD. Both have shown to be efficacious in the treatment of AMD, however, it is unknown which one is more effective ... Genentech Pharmaceuticals (the manufacturer of both drugs) has refused to sponsor a head to... (EurekAlert!)
Biotechnology Oct 9, 2009
SciBX: Science - Business eXchange. New from NPG and BioCentury. (Nature News Service)
SurModics inks $200M licensing deal with Genentech Oct 7, 2009
said Tuesday it has entered into a licensing and development deal with biotech company Genentech Inc. that could be worth as much as $200 million ... As part of the agreement, Genentech will incorporate a SurModics drug-delivery technology into a version of its Lucentis treatment for macular degeneration ... Genentech, based in South San Francisco, Calif. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Providing for future SolarWorlds Oct 7, 2009
Sign in to OregonLive. Don't have an account. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Seattle Genetics halts lymphoma drug test Oct 6, 2009
The Bothell biotech said a trial of its SeaGen Mariner dacetuzumab drug, which its developing with partner Genentech, was aimed at patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We are disappointed that the interim analysis of the. (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
Should Dual Apple/Google Board Member Resign? Oct 6, 2009
Google CEO Eric Schmidt said he sees no antitrust issue for the former CEO of Genentech ... Google CEO Eric Schmidt said former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson should stay on the boards of both Google and Apple, despite regulatory scrutiny. (SmallBusinessComputing)
The shot heard 'round the world: Patient trials in Thailand produce most effective AIDS vaccine to date Oct 5, 2009
The RV 144 vaccine is a combination of two previous vaccines produced by medical companies Sanofi-aventis and Genentech ... Genentech's AIDSVAX contains a protein from the AIDS virus ... The combination of the Sanofi-aventis and Genentech vaccines contributed to the success of the vaccine, Fauci said. (Daily Orange, NY)
Estrogen Link In Male Aggression Sheds New Light On Sex-specific Behaviors Oct 3, 2009
The research was supported by grants from Genentech Graduate Fellowships, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship, National Institutes of Health Institutional Training Grant, National Institutes of Health, Career Awards in the Biomedical Sciences from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, UCSF Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research, Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation, and McKnight Foundation for Neuroscience. The researchers... (Science Daily)
Corthera heart drug lands FDA fast-track Oct 2, 2009
Corthera, formerly named BAS Medical Inc., acquired relaxin after the treatment failed a late-stage trial by Genentech spinoff Connetics Corp. as a treatment for the crippling tissue disease scleroderma. We are excited to be launching Phase III given our goal of advancing the development of Relaxin as rapidly as possible for the benefit of patients who are in need of new treatment options, Corthera CEO Stan Abel said in a press release. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Science survey ranks top biopharma employers Oct 2, 2009
This year, Genentech, Inc., of South San Francisco, California, again receives top honors in a ranking of the world's most respected biopharmaceutical employers. The company has placed first in seven out of eight years that Science has carried out this survey. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Skin Cancer Drug Shrinks Tumors Sep 30, 2009
The results came the same month a study by drug manufacturer Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, showed evidence that a cancer pill reduced some skin cancer tumors in first-phase trials. Copyright AFP. (Newsmax)
Abbott buys Solvay pharma operations for $6.6B Sep 30, 2009
Earlier this year Swiss drugmaker Roche acquired biotech pioneer Genentech following similar deals uniting Pfizer Inc. and Wyeth, and Merck & Co. with Schering-Plough. Analysts said Abbott's purchase was designed to diversify Abbott's revenue stream, more than 35 percent of which relies on the blockbuster drug Humira. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Enrollment in Avastin breast cancer study halted Sep 26, 2009
-based Genentech on Avastin prior to paying $46 ... Avastin, which is approved as a treatment for various stages of colon, lung, brain, and kidney cancer, was Genentech's biggest seller. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
The value of persistence Sep 25, 2009
In 1993, Francis left the CDC to join the biotech firm Genentech, which developed an experimental AIDS vaccine that is the ancestor of the formulation used in the Thai test. Tim Mastro, former head of the CDC's HIV vaccine unit, said Francis tried to persuade the National Institutes of Health to fund clinical trials of the vaccine, and when it said no, he helped spin off the technology into the startup VaxGen, to raise private funds for the tests. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
50 most powerful in business Sep 20, 2009
50 Most Powerful Women in Business 2008: Full list- from FORTUNE. Archer Daniels Midland. (CNN -- Money)
Putting America Back to Work Sep 19, 2009
That shift in priorities and the impressive results inspired a new generation of innovators people such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Arthur Levinson to create Microsoft (), Apple (), and Genentech. The companies they built created tens of thousands of jobs and revolutionized American industry. (BusinessWeek)
Genentech: Drug Helps Certain Lymphoma Patients Sep 18, 2009
ZURICH -(Dow Jones)- U.S.-based biotech company Genentech Inc., a unit of Swiss pharma company Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) said its cancer drug rituxan helps patients with low-grade lymphoma ... -Genentech, Roche and Biogen Idec. (SmartMoney)
Treatment of Medulloblastoma with Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor GDC-0449 Sep 17, 2009
From the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (C.M.R., C.L.H., J.L., B.C.); Genentech, South San Francisco, CA (R.L.Y., C.A.C., L.F., T.H., J.S., S.E.G., F.J.S., J.A.L.); Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit (P.M.L.); and Translational Genomics (TGen), Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute, Scottsdale, AZ (D.D.V.H.). This article (10. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Inhibition of the Hedgehog Pathway in Advanced Basal-Cell Carcinoma Sep 17, 2009
From the Translational Genomics Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, AZ (D.D.V.H., R.T., G.J.W., M.J.B.); Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit (P.M.L.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (C.M.R., C.L.H., J.R.B.); and Genentech, South San Francisco, CA (J.C.R., R.L.Y., H.M.M., B.L.L., W.C.D., J.C.M., F.J.S., J.A.L.) ... Address reprint requests to Dr. Low at Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, or at low. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Pharma startup closes on $7M Sep 8, 2009
Foster also worked at Genentech Inc., a pharma company based in California. Venture firms Thomas, McNerney & Partners, Minneapolis, and InterWest Partners of Menlo Park, Calif. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Johnson & Johnson Honors 2009 Recipient of The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Sep 8, 2009
Working at Genentech, Inc. more than 25 years ago, Ullrich developed genetically engineered human insulin, the first therapeutic derived from gene cloning. This insulin is structurally identical to the naturally occurring form, and acts more quickly and with fewer allergic reactions than insulin made from other sources. (PR Newswire)
Scientist sues Deutsche Bank Sep 4, 2009
Tanox was bought by biotech giant Genentech in 2007. Chang stood to receive about US$118mil. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
New Compound Shrinks Skin Cancers Sep 4, 2009
De Sauvage is vice president of research, molecular biology, at Genentech, which developed the molecule and funded the study ... D., vice president, research, molecular biology, Genentech; Charles M. Rudin, M.D., Ph. (MEDLINEplus)
Novel Anti-cancer Drug Yields Positive Response In People With Advanced Skin And Brain Cancer Sep 4, 2009
Related research by Johns Hopkins and Genentech investigators reported online in the September 3 issue of Science Express reveals more findings on the medulloblastoma case ... In the Phase I clinical study, 33 patients with advanced basal cell skin cancer were treated with GDC-0449, an oral drug made by Genentech ... Additional research, published online in the Sept. 3, 2009, issue of Science Express by investigators at Johns Hopkins and Genentech, focuses on how the medulloblastoma tumor became... (Science Daily)
Experimental cancer drug shows promise Sep 3, 2009
The South San Francisco-based biotechnology company Genentech discovered the drug. A spokeswoman declined to say how much the company invested in the experiment, but said it expects to recruit 100 patients for the phase 2 study. (AZCentral -- Business)
Avastin dramatically improves response, survival in deadly recurrrent glioblastomas Sep 3, 2009
The study was funded by Genentech, which manufacturers Avastin. UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has more than 240 researchers and clinicians engaged in disease research, prevention, detection, control, treatment and education. (EurekAlert!)
Pill shows promise in hard-to-treat cancers Sep 3, 2009
CHICAGO - An experimental cancer pill made by Roche's Genentech shrank tumors in patients whose skin cancer had spread, raising hope for a new class of drugs that may have an effect on many other cancers as well, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday ... "There are very, very rare cases where the disease can metastasize or become so advanced where you can't remove it anymore. Those are the people who were treated," said Dr. Josina Reddy, a Genentech researcher who worked on the study, said in a... (MSNBC -- Health)
Potential Skin Cancer Breakthrough Tested at Scottsdale Healthcare Published Today in New England Journal of Medicine Sep 3, 2009
GDC-0449 was discovered by Genentech and was jointly validated through a series of preclinical studies performed under a collaboration agreement between Genentech and Curis, Inc. (Cambridge, Mass). Genentech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Roche Group ... Subsequently, scientists at Genentech developed an oral drug called GDC-0449 which can inhibit key components of the Hedgehog pathway. (PR Newswire)
Genentech buying plant in Singapore Sep 1, 2009
Genentech, the South San Francisco-based subsidiary of Swiss drug maker , had an option to buy the 80,000-liter facility from Switzerland-based supplier until 2012. The plant is designed to make Genentech s best-selling cancer drug Avastin ... About 230 Lonza employees will become Genentech employees. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
FDA Approves Valcyte(R) (valganciclovir hydrochloride) to Prevent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease in Pediatric Patients Who Receive Heart or Kidney Transplants Aug 31, 2009
Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. (PR Newswire)
Kennedys cancerhighlights quality of life Aug 27, 2009
It is made by Genentech, which recently was acquired by Swiss-based Roche. Kennedy's doctors have declined to comment on specifics and did not respond to interview requests Wednesday. (MSNBC -- Health)
Deja Vu for Six States on Annual Asthma & Allergy Honor Roll Aug 25, 2009
For more asthma and allergy statistics or support, visit or call 1-800-7-ASTHMA. This year year's research was funded in-part by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech and Novartis. SOURCE The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (PR Newswire)
Facebook Reaps Recruits at High Levels Aug 25, 2009
Boosting hiring amid a job slump, Facebook snares Yahoo's security chief, an open-source guru from Six Apart, and talent from Genentech and Google. By. (BusinessWeek)
New treatments offer better survival and fresh challenges in colorectal cancer Aug 22, 2009
One targeted agent is bevacizumab (a monoclonal antibody developed by Genentech under the trade name Avastin), which inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a natural protein that the tumour uses to grow new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Bevacizumab was the first angiogenesis inhibitor available in the US, and has become established as a standard component of first-line chemotherapy. (EurekAlert!)
Lonza Makes Offer Valuing Canada's Patheon at $460 Million, Topping JLL Aug 22, 2009
The company has used joint ventures and takeovers to expand in peptides and other ingredients used by biotechnology companies and drugmakers such as Genentech Inc., and Lonza has examined two other potential targets, Chief Executive Officer said. This is one of the opportunities, but its not the only one, Borgas told reporters on a conference call. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
Mom undergoes cancer treatment of pelvic region while pregnant Aug 22, 2009
Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned memberof the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that a Phase III study (RIBBON 2) of Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chemotherapy increased the time women with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer whose initial chemotherapy had stopped working lived without the disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS), compared to chemotherapy alone. The doctors treating the women in the study chose the type of chemotherapy used in... (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Upcoming Bay Area layoffs Aug 21, 2009
Among those hardest hit in the Bay Area next month are Santa Clara semiconductor manufacturer Applied Materials Inc., South San Francisco's Genentech Inc., and the Asimolar Conference Center in Monterey. Roche Palo Alto LLC, a unit of the Swiss pharma giant, which recently absorbed Genentech into its family, is cutting at least 166 jobs between now and the end of the year. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Milk is safe, even encouraged, for some children after treatment for milk allergy Aug 19, 2009
Dr. Wood receives funding support from Genentech, manufacturer of Xolair, for the treatment of allergic asthma. He serves on the advisory board of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. (EurekAlert!)
Pimco Says Japanese Corporate Bonds to Top $109 Billion Record This Year Aug 15, 2009
8 billion in euro- and pound-denominated notes Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG sold in February to fund its acquisition of U.S. biotechnology firm Genentech Inc.. Sales of corporate debt in the U.S. total $903 billion this year, up 32 percent from a year earlier and the most in the period for at least a decade, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Apple Board to Discuss Schmidt Replacement: Report Aug 14, 2009
The other Apple board members are J. Crew CEO Millard Drexler, Intuit Chairman Bill Campbell, Harwinton Capital CEO Jerry York, Avon Products CEO Andrea Jung, former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson and Former Vice President Al Gore. (Reporting by Gabriel Madway). (ABC News -- Wire)
Dako, Genentech work on cancer tests Aug 12, 2009
Dako, Genentech collaborate on cancer tests - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal ... Dako, Genentech collaborate on cancer tests ... Under the terms of the agreement, Dako and South San Francisco-based Genentech will collaborate on regulatory submissions for HercepTest and HER2 FISH pharmDx in the U.S. market to identify patients with stomach cancer who may be eligible for treatment with Herceptin. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Paul Hastings Swipes Skadden Star Aug 11, 2009
Randall's clients also include Intel Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Dell, Genentech Inc., Apple Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc.. Randall will co-chair Paul Hastings' global IP practice and work from both the 25-lawyer Palo Alto office and the D.C. office. (Law.com)
War In The Valley: Apple vs. Google Aug 10, 2009
For example, besides Eric Schmidt sitting on both Apple's and Google's boards, we have Arthur Levinson, head of Genentech, a director of both companies. Or partners at Sequoia (a very successful ven 00004000 ture capital firm) sitting on boards at YouTube and Google, which might have help a successful "exit," that is the sale of YouTube to Google. (CBS News)
Merck, Schering-Plough shareholders OK $41B deal Aug 8, 2009
In the year s third big pharmaceutical acquisition, Switzerland s Roche Group bought the part of California-based biotech pioneer Genentech it didn t own already for $47 billion in March. To subscribe to the print edition of The Times and Democrat. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Schmidt's Apple Exit Shows Google, Silicon Valley New Target for Antitrust Aug 5, 2009
While Schmidts move may soothe the concerns, another board member -- Genentech Inc. Chairman -- serves on the boards of both Google and Apple ... He declined to comment as well, Genentech spokesman said. (Bloomberg)
Join us August 8th and 9th for Celebrate Hillsboro Aug 5, 2009
This free community event would not be possible without the support of these organizations: Tuality Healthcare, Providence Health & Services, Kaiser Permanente, Genentech, Intel, Hillsboro Argus, Port of Portland, Beery Elsner & Hammond LLP, Pacific University, Comcast, Metro Mountain Climbing LLC, Portland General Electric, Verizon and the Oregon International Airshow. I hope that you will be able to help us Celebrate Hillsboro. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Google Chief Steps Down From Apple's Board Seat Aug 4, 2009
Aside from Schmidt, Arthur Levinson, the chairman of Genentech, sits on both boards. The move also comes days after the Federal Communications Commission started an inquiry into why Apple rejected a Google Voice app for the iPhone. (New York Post -- Business)
FDA Clears Drug for Kidney Cancer Aug 4, 2009
(AP) Biotech drugmaker Genentech Inc. said Sunday the Food and Drug Administration approved its cancer treatment Avastin for a new use against a form of kidney cancer, marking the sixth approval for the blockbuster drug ... -based Genentech is owned by drugmaker Roche, based in Basel, Switzerland ... Avastin was Genentech's top-selling product last year with revenue of $2. (CBS News)
Google CEO quits Apple board Aug 4, 2009
Genentech Inc Chairman Arthur Levinson has board seats at both Apple and Google, and the FTC may review whether that violates antitrust law, said Joe Angland, an antitrust lawyer at White LLP in New York. The FTC is looking at whether the interlocking boards could hurt competition in markets such as mobile-phone software and services, a person familiar with the investigation said in May. (India Times, India)
BIOTECH: Avastin gets sixth approval Aug 4, 2009
Genentech drug OK'd for kidney cancer ... Avastin maker Genentech Inc. announced the approval for metastatic renal cell carcinoma on Sunday ... Genentech, based in South San Francisco, produces Avastin in a plant in Oceanside and other locations. (North County Times)
Google bites Apple Aug 4, 2009
Besides Schmidt, Genentech Inc. Chairman Arthur Levinson also serves as director at both Apple and Google ... Geoff Teeter, a spokesman for Genentech, had no immediate comment. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Google woos IT managers with old-tech billboards Aug 4, 2009
Motorola and Genentech are reportedly among more than 1. 75 million businesses, schools and organizations that use Google Apps programs online instead of installing and maintaining software on their networks. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Google CEO leaves Apple board as competition builds Aug 4, 2009
The article noted that Art Levinson, the former chief executive of Genentech, also sits on both the Apple and Google boards. Schmidt has been on Apple's board since August 2006. (EETimes)
Leadership Should Benefit both Lead... Aug 4, 2009
"Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen" (Alan Keith of Genentech). It has also been defined as a kind of social influence that makes people follow the leader. (Suite101.com)
