A review of life science current events reported by MedCity News this week:
For those planning to live beyond 2011, a real list of top medical cities. Every list of the best healthcare cities in the country reads like my grandfather’s history teacher wrote them. These reports measure the life sciences and healthcare industries the way that they were. What really matters is which medical city will be elite beyond today. So for those who live and thrive by what happens in pharma, hospitals, medical device, health IT and all other things medical, here’s a good list of the top 10 medical cities that matter today (and in the future).
Minnesota device maker Synovis to be acquired by Baxter International. Minnesota’s Synovis Life Technologies Inc. is being acquired by Baxter International Inc. in a $325 million deal, the companies announced today. Synovis’ board unanimously approved the buy at $28 per share. Pending shareholder approval, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
The 99%-1% debate is attacking how life science startups are funded. As long as most voters avoid reading the likes of Bloomberg and Business Insider, then life sciences startups — and, more directly, the investors enriched by the good ones — are going to be OK. But coming under increasing attack from millionaires, billionaires and media types is the concept that rich people and entrepreneurs create jobs.
N.C. Novartis site is first cell-based flu vaccine facility in the country. Novartis’ vaccine facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina today became the first cell culture vaccine facility authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use during a pandemic. The plant will develop vaccines from cultured animal cells, in contrast to the traditional method of making flu vaccines from chicken eggs.
3 months and $3 million later, Ray Hill leaves PPD. PPD CEO Ray Hill has stepped down from the clinical research organization a week after PPD’s acquisition by The Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman was finalized. He departs with a $3 million severance package for running the company since September.
