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Scientists from three Boston institutions have createdCellNet, a computer algorithm to assist scientists in their efforts to engineer specialized cells.

Johnson & Johnson has deepened its ties to regenerative medicine outfit ViaCyte, handing the biotech $20 million in exchange for a future stake in the company and the right to acquire its in-development diabetes medication.

Novartis is forging ahead with a prospective stem cell biotech buyout, agreeing to pay $35 million to grab a sizable equity stake in Gamida Cell while executing a short term option deal that will allow the pharma giant the right to gobble up the company for another $600 million split up between a $165 million upfront payout with the rest up for grabs in development and sales milestones.

Gene therapy 2.0 at bluebird bio is demonstrating some early signs of success with an upgrade to its experimental therapy for the genetic blood disorder beta-thalassemia demonstrating promising results in a pair of patients, weaning them off the regular blood transfusions needed to stay alive.

Miltenyi Biotec said today that the FDA had approved its device for humanitarian use in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are getting allogeneic stem cell transplants from matched, related donors. The device, called the CliniMACS CD34 Reagent System, is designed to lower the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is a common complication of this type of transplant.

Israel's Pluristem Therapeutics is back in the spotlight with some positive results for its stem cell therapy in treating patients with a muscle injury, giving the biotech some good news in its up-and-down development path.

Celgene helped seal its reputation as one of the boldest dealmakers in biotech today, putting up $177.25 million in an upfront fee and equity stake while committing to more than $3 billion in milestones to partner on a slate of cancer stem cell programs in development at OncoMed.

This year's examination of our top 5 stories of the year says a lot about what works when you're creating a presence on the world wide web and how it can also deliver super-sized audiences on some odd bits of work.

Thursday night the biotech company offloaded the product, and its mesenchymal stem cell platform in regenerative medicine, to Australia's Mesoblast for $50 million in near-term cash and stock and up to $50 million more in milestones.

After more than a year of not-so-secret negotiations, Geron has finally auctioned off its long-stalled embryonic stem cell pipeline, handing it over to a newly created BioTime subsidiary in exchange for shares.

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