Fujifilm will acquire CDI via an all-cash tender offer to be followed by a second step merger. Fujifilm aims to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of CDI's common stock for $ 16.5 per share or approximately $ 307 million (on a fully diluted basis). The offer represents a premium of 108% to CDI's closing price on March 27.
Cellular Dynamics has licensed patents covering Sigma-Aldrich's CompoZr zinc finger nuclease technologies. The licensed technologies "facilitate efficient genomic editing by creating double-stranded breaks in DNA at user-specified locations, stimulating the cell's natural repair process and enabling targeted gene insertions, deletions, or modifications," CDI said in a statement.
Sigma-Aldrich licensed CompoZr ZFN technology from Sangamo and Sangamo earns royalties from the sale and licensing of that product.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
New job postings at Sangamo
Things are moving rapidly; only 2 days between updates.
(Updated 03/27/15)
Research Associate III - Technology
Research Associate IV - Genome Modification
Scientist II - Research
Scientist II - Genome Modification LSD
Development Associate II
Development Associate III
Development Associate IV
Senior Process Development Engineer
Director/Associate Director GMP Facility Operations
Director, Vector Production
Director, Quality Control
Director, Analytical Methods Development
Job Opportunities
The following is a list of open positions with Sangamo BioSciences.(Updated 03/27/15)
Research
Research Associate - ProductionResearch Associate III - Technology
Research Associate IV - Genome Modification
Scientist II - Research
Scientist II - Genome Modification LSD
Development
Associate Director, Project ManagementTechnical Operations
Quality Assurance Specialist IDevelopment Associate II
Development Associate III
Development Associate IV
Senior Process Development Engineer
Director/Associate Director GMP Facility Operations
Director, Vector Production
Director, Quality Control
Director, Analytical Methods Development
Administrative
Business Analyst/Summer InternJourneyman.tv video "The First Man To Be Cured Of HIV"
My earlier post presented a video describing the scientific work of Paula Cannon of USC.
This video reviews the background leading the the discovery of the CCR5- mutation, Timothy Ray Brown, Sangamo Biosciences and again the work of Dr. Cannon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgxQDJRUL5Q
This video reviews the background leading the the discovery of the CCR5- mutation, Timothy Ray Brown, Sangamo Biosciences and again the work of Dr. Cannon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgxQDJRUL5Q
Over $90,000 of SGMO traded after hours 3/27/2015
Here are the post 5pm eastern trades of SGMO after hours on Friday 3/27/2015:
total shares traded after 5pm est, 6335
18:59 $ 15.90 High 200
18:58 $ 15.90 200
18:58 $ 15.90 500
18:58 $ 15.90 2,500
18:58 $ 15.90 100
18:58 $ 15.90 2,300
18:57 $ 15.90 200
17:00 $ 15.21 Low 335
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/sgmo/after-hours#ixzz3Vh9qaIUc
total shares traded after 5pm est, 6335
18:59 $ 15.90 High 200
18:58 $ 15.90 200
18:58 $ 15.90 500
18:58 $ 15.90 2,500
18:58 $ 15.90 100
18:58 $ 15.90 2,300
18:57 $ 15.90 200
17:00 $ 15.21 Low 335
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/sgmo/after-hours#ixzz3Vh9qaIUc
Review of Sangamo HIV IND in Hematopoetic Stem Cells
In light of the recent acceptance of the City of Hope and Sangamo BioSciences IND treatment of HIV using hematopoetic stem cells announced on February 26th of this year I found it useful to review this youtube video. In 12 minutes Paula Cannon of USC explains the rational and hope for this soon to be opened study. Her presentation is titled "Can Gene Therapy cure HIV/AIDS?".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plvv07vd5iI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plvv07vd5iI
Friday, March 27, 2015
Taiwaneese group using ZFNs to delete CCR5 in Mesenchymal stem cells
Generation of CCR5-defective CD34 cells from ZFN-driven stop codon-integrated mesenchymal stem cell clones
Abstract (provisional)
Backgrounds Homozygous 32-bp deletion of the chemokine receptor 5 gene (CCR5) is associated with resistance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, while heterozygosity delays HIV progression. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from a 32/32 donor has been shown to cure an HIV-infected patient. However, the rarity of this mutation and the safety risks associated with current BMT protocols are the major obstacles to this treatment. Zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) targeting is a powerful method for achieving genomic disruption at specific DNA sites of interest. Results Taking advantage of the self-renewal and plasticity properties of stem cells, in this study, we successfully generated isogenic and six-cell clones of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells that carry the stop codon of the CCR5 gene by using a ZFN-mediated homology-directed repair technique. These cells were expandable for more than 5 passages, and thus show potential to serve as an individual’s cell factory. When Oct4 was overexpressed, the mutated cells robustly converted to CD34+ progenitor cells. Conclusion We here reported the novel approach on generation of patients own CD34 cells from high fidelity ZFN-mediated HDR MSC clones. We believe that our approach will be beneficial in future HIV treatment
NIH research grant to use ZFNs to treat Hepatitis B
Here is a copy of the abstract:
Anti-HBV therapeutics based on rare-cutting targeted endonucleases
Jerome, Keith R. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
We propose to develop an alternative approach to address and treat HBV infection with targeted rare-cutting endonucleases. We will use zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to induce double-strand breaks within specific HBV sequences upon AAV-mediated ZFN delivery. We hope to achieve virologic cure of infected cells by promoting cellular degradation of cccDNA present in infected hepatocytes upon linearization or inactivating HBV genes within the episomal cccDNA. The repair mechanism for double-strand breaks is error prone and should result in disruption of genes around the cleaved target sequence. This proposal will study the efficacy and safety of our approach in the highly relevant humanized uPA-SCID mouse model of HBV infection. Our preliminary data shows that we can successfully mutate targeted HBV genes and inhibit HBV replication in an in vitro cell culture model of HBV using AAV-delivered ZFNs. It also shows that our HBV-specific ZFNs cause minimal levels of off-target cleavage at similar sites within the human genome. We have established the uPA-SCID mouse model of HBV infection and have demonstrated efficient delivery of a fluorescent reporter gene to human hepatocytes in humanized mouse livers using AAV vectors. Our comprehensive preliminary data provides the basis for a pilot study of the antiviral efficacy of this therapeutic approach in vivo. The overall aim of this study is to provide proof of principle fr its use in treating chronic HBV infections.
Anti-HBV therapeutics based on rare-cutting targeted endonucleases
Jerome, Keith R. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
We propose to develop an alternative approach to address and treat HBV infection with targeted rare-cutting endonucleases. We will use zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to induce double-strand breaks within specific HBV sequences upon AAV-mediated ZFN delivery. We hope to achieve virologic cure of infected cells by promoting cellular degradation of cccDNA present in infected hepatocytes upon linearization or inactivating HBV genes within the episomal cccDNA. The repair mechanism for double-strand breaks is error prone and should result in disruption of genes around the cleaved target sequence. This proposal will study the efficacy and safety of our approach in the highly relevant humanized uPA-SCID mouse model of HBV infection. Our preliminary data shows that we can successfully mutate targeted HBV genes and inhibit HBV replication in an in vitro cell culture model of HBV using AAV-delivered ZFNs. It also shows that our HBV-specific ZFNs cause minimal levels of off-target cleavage at similar sites within the human genome. We have established the uPA-SCID mouse model of HBV infection and have demonstrated efficient delivery of a fluorescent reporter gene to human hepatocytes in humanized mouse livers using AAV vectors. Our comprehensive preliminary data provides the basis for a pilot study of the antiviral efficacy of this therapeutic approach in vivo. The overall aim of this study is to provide proof of principle fr its use in treating chronic HBV infections.
Public Health Relevance
The long-term goal of this project is to combine our team's unique expertise in rare cutting endonuclease technologies (ZFNs, TALENs and homing endonucleases), virology, gene delivery systems, and mouse models of HBV infection to generate a therapeutic approach allowing us to specifically target and disrupt hepatitis B virus genomes in livers of chronically infected individuals. This plan offers a plausible way to test the proof of principle for this therapy with the long-term aim of providing a cure for individuals infected with HBV.Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Reminder - Liz Wolffe will be speaking tomorrow at the Regen Med Investor meeting
Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D., Sangamo's vice president, corporate communications, will present an overview of the Company's ZFP Therapeutic® programs at 1:55pm ET on Wednesday , March 25, 2015 , at the 3rd Annual Regen Med Investor Day. The meeting will be held in New York City .
To listen to the call investors can use the following link:
http://www.arminvestorday.com/webcast
At this time it is not likely that Liz will present any market moving information it would be nice to hear about:
Treatment of first subject in Beta-Thal trial,
Treatment of first subject by City of Hope in stem cell HIV SB-728 trial,
Update on SB-728-T subjects in HAART treatment interruption,
FDA acceptance of IND for sickle cell.
To listen to the call investors can use the following link:
http://www.arminvestorday.com/webcast
At this time it is not likely that Liz will present any market moving information it would be nice to hear about:
Treatment of first subject in Beta-Thal trial,
Treatment of first subject by City of Hope in stem cell HIV SB-728 trial,
Update on SB-728-T subjects in HAART treatment interruption,
FDA acceptance of IND for sickle cell.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Dow Agro ZFN pact has new sub-licensee
Dow Agro ZFN pact has new sub-licensee
From the Dow Agro press release dated 3-19-2015Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a collaborative research relationship with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Under the MoU framework, Dow AgroSciences and CAAS will negotiate a license to Dow AgroSciences’ proprietary EXZACT™ Precision Technology platform and toolkit and collaboratively develop a proposed research program with mutual development goals. Dow AgroSciences and CAAS scientists will also work together to make sure that Dow AgroSciences’ expertise is best combined with CAAS’ expertise to accelerate rice research and product development in China. This is part of Dow AgroSciences’ commitment to providing innovative and sustainable solutions to bolster food security and food safety in China.
“We are excited to work with CAAS, a world-renowned agricultural science research organization,” said Tim Hassinger, President and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. “Dow AgroSciences has a long-term commitment in China as a strategic partner for agricultural sustainability and best practices. The proposed EXZACT™ Precision Technology collaboration with CAAS is a strong example of this commitment, which will significantly enable Chinese scientists to improve rice research and product development, thus benefiting China’s long term food security.”
Dow AgroSciences will offer to license its proprietary EXZACT™ Precision Technology platform to CAAS through the academy’s Institute of Crop Sciences. Dow AgroSciences has developed the EXZACT™ Precision Technology platform under an exclusive license and collaboration agreement in plants with Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. The EXZACTTM Precision Technology platform can enable CAAS scientists to capitalize on the significant investment in rice genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, cell biology and molecular breeding to accelerate the creation of new rice varieties with improved performance for China.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Dose Escalation Study of Cyclophosphamide is recruiting again !
According to the clinicaltrials.gov website the Sangamo Biosciences SB-728-T Cyclophosphamide HIV study is recruiting patients for new cohorts. This change was made March 10th 2015.
Note the changes:
Old protocol:
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells 1 day following IV cyclophosphamide 0.5 g/m2
New protocol:
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 0.5 g/m2
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 2.0 g/m2
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2
Enrollment jumps from 18 to 26
Number of Arms increases from 3 to 5
What does this indicate?
Note the changes:
Old protocol:
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells 1 day following IV cyclophosphamide 0.5 g/m2
New protocol:
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 0.5 g/m2
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 2.0 g/m2
Infusion will be 5 to 30 billion ZFN modified CD4+ T cells up to 3 days following IV cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m2
Enrollment jumps from 18 to 26
Number of Arms increases from 3 to 5
What does this indicate?
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