Recent research on 34 obese type 2 diabetic patients showed that almost three-quarters of those who underwent gastric bypass surgery showed no clinical signs of type 2 diabetes after two years.

BBC: 'My type 2 diabetes was cured after gastric bypass op'

Researchers in the US have recently started clinical trials to see if a gel made from a type of red seaweed found along the coasts of Nova Scotia and Chile to see if it protects against HIV.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Seaweed could fight flu symptoms

To be specific, Merck (MRK) will test a beta-amyloid precursor protein site-cleaving enzyme, or BACE, inhibitor, which the drugmaker notes is the first drug with this type of mechanism to advance to this stage of clinical research.

FORBES: Merck Makes A 'Speculative' Step Into Alzheimer's

"This kind of label is pretty unique for drugs in type II diabetes, " says John Amatruda, the head of clinical development for diabetes and obesity at Merck.

FORBES: Merck Starts Diabetes Race

"I would call this a Bill Buckner type of study, " says Robert Califf, vice chairman for clinical research at Duke University who is leading a big study of Zetia and takes the drug himself.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Sir David expects that the company will put its first drug, one of a new type of gene-based drugs designed to combat specific cancer tumours, to clinical trial later this year.

ECONOMIST: Biotechnology in Scotland

At that point, assuming we like the way its coming together, we negotiate a pre-defined exit path for a possible investment: upon successful completion of XYZ clinical study, the Pharma will buyout the asset-centric entity in an upfront plus milestones type transaction.

FORBES: New Biotech Corporate Structures: Possible Alternatives For Discovery Platforms and Product Financings

One big question: would the limited data Sarepta has so far collected from a very small clinical trial of its drug eteplirsen, a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that is caused by a very specific type of mutation, be enough to warrant filing with the Food and Drug Administration and perhaps even gain approval?

FORBES: A Key Exchange On Sarepta Therapeutics' Promising Muscular Dystrophy Drug