NYC-based Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Phenomix Corporation have entered into a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize dutogliptin, currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. See press release for more information.

The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, based in NYC, will receive up to $40M from USAID over the next five years to fund the research and development of new drugs to combat tuberculosis. The grant project's focus will be on late-stage clinical trials for the TB Alliance's most advanced drug candidates. See press release for more information.

Martin Chalfie, Departmental Chair and Professor of Biological Sciences at NYC's Columbia University, was one of three awardees for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, or GFP. The GFP has revolutionized researchers' ability to study living organisms: scientists use the protein to track processes such as the development of brain cells, the growth of tumors, and the spread of cancer cells. See press release for more information.

In another success story for a NYC-based bioscience company, Innovive Pharmaceuticals has been purchased by CytRx to expand its pipeline of oncology drug candidates. Innovive's portfolio includes four such clinical-stage candidates with near-term commercialization opportunities that will complement CytRx's own development efforts. See press release for more information.

The new Harlem DNA Lab, designed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Scientists, recently opened its doors to students and educators throughout the five boroughs. The Lab's hands-on curriculum will teach contemporary biology by using techniques and tools currently employed by research scientists at the forefront of genome studies. Over the next five years, more than 800 NYC middle and high school science teachers will pursue professional development at the DNA Lab. See press release for more information.

NYC emerged as the top city in the 2008 Global Cities Index, a comprehensive ranking consisting of 24 metrics across five dimensions created by Foreign Policy, A.T. Kearney, and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. NYC beat out other global powerhouses largely based on the strengths of its financial markets, its network of multinationals, and its diverse creative class.