Uncategorized
Remembering J. Craig Venter, PhD
Remembering J. Craig Venter, PhD
J. Craig Venter, PhD recently passed away at the age of 79 from complications following a cancer diagnosis. He was well known in both science and industry and was an integral part of sequencing the human genome in the late 90s, competing with the government organized Human Genome Project. Throughout his career, he made many other important contributions in microbiology, with the “minimal cell,” in synthetic biology, and in personalized medicine. GEN editors share anecdotes of their experiences with him, reflect on the impact that his work has had on various fields in biology, in biotech, and in how the world has responded to the disruptions caused by Venter.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Genomics Pioneer and Life Sciences Entrepreneur J. Craig Venter Dies at 79
GEN, April 30, 2026
J. Craig Venter Describes a Human Genomics Revolution Still In Progress
By J. Craig Venter, PhD, GEN, June 13, 2025
Lessons from the Minimal Cell
By Hana El-Samad, PhD, GEN, August 21, 2023
From Sequencing to Sailing: Three Decades of Adventure with Craig Venter
By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN, March 8, 2023
“Cracking the Genome”
By Kevin Davies, PhD
Touching Base Podcast
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Behind the Breakthroughs
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
The post Remembering J. Craig Venter, PhD appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
Uncategorized
STAT+: Capricor Therapeutics accuses Nippon Shinyaku of slow-walking plans on Duchenne drug
Capricor Therapeutics accused Nippon Shinyaku and its U.S. subsidiary of failing to follow through on marketing plans for a Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, and refusing to fix a pricing glitch that was belatedly discovered in their exclusive distribution agreement.
A key issue is a “fatal flaw” in a pricing formula that would make it “economically impracticable” for the therapy to reach patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, according to a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey state court on Thursday. Nippon Shinyaku and NS Pharma, the subsidiary, disclosed the problem in March 2025.
Basically, the formula ties Medicare reimbursement to the price that Capricor would charge NS Pharma, since it would be the only U.S. buyer. But as it stands, the lawsuit indicated that health care providers would get reimbursed less than they would pay to cover the cost of acquiring and administering the medicine, which is called deramiocel.
Capricor Therapeutics accused Nippon Shinyaku and its U.S. subsidiary of failing to follow through on marketing plans for a Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, and refusing to fix a pricing glitch that was belatedly discovered in their exclusive distribution agreement.
A key issue is a “fatal flaw” in a pricing formula that would make it “economically impracticable” for the therapy to reach patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, according to a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey state court on Thursday. Nippon Shinyaku and NS Pharma, the subsidiary, disclosed the problem in March 2025.
Basically, the formula ties Medicare reimbursement to the price that Capricor would charge NS Pharma, since it would be the only U.S. buyer. But as it stands, the lawsuit indicated that health care providers would get reimbursed less than they would pay to cover the cost of acquiring and administering the medicine, which is called deramiocel.
If ultimately confirmed, Makary’s planned departure, broken by The Wall Street Journal Friday afternoon, would follow a controversial tenure in which his deputy and constant co-author Vinay Prasad riled biopharma feathers with myriad unexpected drug rejections. Prasad stepped down as biologics chief last week.
President Donald Trump is planning to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
The plans haven’t been finalized and could still change, the Journal said. Representatives …
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
STAT+: Capricor Therapeutics accuses Nippon Shinyaku of slow-walking plans on Duchenne drug
Trump signs off on plan to oust embattled FDA Commissioner Marty Makary: report
FDA Commissioner Makary to be fired, WSJ reports
Daiichi Sankyo posts ‘extraordinary loss’ of nearly $1B
Remembering J. Craig Venter, PhD
Opinion: I’m fighting misinformation online. False hantavirus claims follow a now-familiar playbook
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
-
Uncategorized9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Contributors9 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Phillies’ Aaron Altherr makes mind-boggling barehanded play
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Steph Curry finally got the contract he deserves from the Warriors
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars