[JAH39]

Hi All,

I saw this on the ALSTDF forum today. I thought this forum would be interested in reading this article. Please look into NsGene's website:

Website: www.nsgene.com

Jeff

News:
Ballerup, Denmark, November 28, 2006

NsGene’s proprietary neurotrophic factor, NsG33, will be evaluated by Genzyme for the treatment of motor neuron diseases


Today NsGene announced that an option agreement on NsG33, a novel neurotrophic protein, has been executed with Genzyme Corporation. Under this Option Agreement, Genzyme has been granted the exclusive right to evaluate NsG33 for the treatment of motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

NsG33 is a potential therapeutic factor with protective and regenerative effects in the central and peripheral nervous systems and was discovered in the NsGene Factor Discovery Program. In this program, NsGene is using cutting edge bioinformatics in combination with rapid functional validation to discover and patent novel genes and proteins with therapeutic effects for neurological disorders. Factors found in this effort can be used in combination with NsGene’s EC biodelivery platform or developed as protein therapeutics with partners. Other novel genes from this program include Neublastin, which is under development by Biogen Idec as a therapeutic for neuropathic pain, under a license agreement with NsGene.

EVP & COO Lars U. Wahlberg said: "We are very pleased with this option agreement on NsG33. Genzyme has the expertise and track record needed to realize the potential of NsG33 as a novel therapeutic for the treatment of motor neuron diseases. We believe that NsG33 is a very promising factor with great potential and this agreement affirms the value of our gene discovery efforts".

For further information please contact:
Dr. Lars U. Wahlberg, EVP & COO
Telephone: +45 4460 8913; Fax: +45 4460 8989
E-mail: luw@nsgene.dk
Website: www.nsgene.com

Background
NsGene A/S is a privately held Danish biotechnology company founded in December 1999. NsGene develops novel cell and gene based products for the treatment of neurological diseases. The development focus is on EC biodelivery technology products to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The research focus is on the discovery of novel genes relevant for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control essential voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing. MNDs may be inherited or acquired.

[Thelma]

AP Interview: Reid Says Ethics Reform, Minimum Wage and Stem Cells Are at Top of Senate Agenda


Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. gestures during an interview with the Associated Press, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
11-28-2006 3:09 PM
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -- Ethics reform, a higher minimum wage and more money for stem cell research are the top items on the Senate agenda next year, incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press.

Reid said he will tackle those priorities after cleaning up the "financial mess" that the outgoing Republican leadership has left. He was referring to nine long overdue appropriations bills covering 13 Cabinet departments for the budget year that began Oct. 1.

"They're just leaving town, it appears," Reid said from his office in the Capitol. "We hope that's not the case, but it appears that's what they are going to do. And so we're going to have to find a way to fund the government for the next year."

The must-pass legislation totals more than $460 billion and promises to divert time and energy from other items on the Democratic agenda.

Reid also said he's doing away with the "do-nothing Congress" that Democrats campaigned against this year as they ousted the Republican majority in both chambers of Congress. The Nevada Democrat, who is wrapping up his final days as Senate minority leader, will take control of the Senate agenda when the new Congress takes the oath of office in January.

"We're going to put in some hours here that haven't been put in in a long time," Reid said. That means "being here more days in the week and we start off this year with seven weeks without a break. That hasn't been done in many, many years here."

Reid said he hopes that President Bush is willing to work with the Democratic congressional leadership, but the early signs have not been encouraging. He said the White House has not reached out to him since his meeting with Bush in the Oval Office on Nov. 10. "Sorry to say," Reid said.

Bush used the only veto of his presidency so far to reject a bill passed by Congress last year that would have expanded embryonic stem cell research through government funding.

Supporters of such research say it could lead to treatments and cures for a wide variety of ailments, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries. Bush and abortion foes, however, have opposed embryonic stem cell research because the embryos die in the process of harvesting the stem cells from them.

Reid said he hoped the president "will relent and see the light" that the research gives hope to Americans struggling with illnesses and injuries. He said the Senate is "not even close" to having the two-thirds vote necessary to override Bush's veto, but he hopes some Republicans will join the Democrats after losing the election this month.

The election came on the heels of several ethical scandals involving lawmakers, and Reid said reform is needed. He said "the first thing we do" will be to try to cut the practice of lawmakers anonymously inserting "earmarks" _ narrowly tailored spending that often helps a specific company or project in their district _ into bills.

Citizens Against Government Waste, a taxpayer watchdog group, said there were 9,963 such projects in the spending bills for the 2006 budget year, costing $29 billion.

The third item at the top of Reid's agenda is increasing the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. The White House has signaled that Bush may be willing to consider the proposal.

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On the Net:

http://reid.senate.gov
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