Fundamental changes are occurring in not only the way scientific
research is conducted but also innovations that will drive a very
different approach to laboratory design in the new millennium.
Medical research bodies have joined together in a defiant effort to
combat terrorism by issuing a statement that aims to reduce the
risk of sensitive laboratory research being used in bioterrorism.
Anglo-German company Evotec has reorganised its pharmaceutical
development services business by integrating its ProPharma
subsidiary, based in Scotland, into a new structure alongside its
in-house activities.
Wyeth yesterday formally opened its Grange Castle biotech
production facility in South County Dublin, Ireland, one of the
largest integrated biotech manufacturing facilities in the world.
If there was any doubt that GlaxoSmithKline aims to become the
premier world supplier of influenza vaccine, it should be laid to
rest by yesterday's news that the number two drugmaker is buying
Canadian company ID Biomedical.
A clinical trial will shortly get underway to see if insulin,
delivered intranasally using an atomiser developed by Kurve
Technology, can improve short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease
patients.
A new immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of tuberculosis
(TB) is set to open up new avenues of laboratory research that
sidesteps the associated side effects of current conventional
treatments and provides a solution to...
Thermo Electron introduces its new mass spectrometer, which uses a
linear ion trap delivering faster cycle times and improved ion
statistics. This latest addition to the ion trap product portfolio
is designed for use in both research...
The latest research included in the proceedings of the annual
meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, (ESC) means that
heart treatments and management therapies feature strongly in
DrugResearcher's round-up of the 5-day...
One of the difficulties facing the pharmaceutical industry is the
sheer volume of information that has to be incorporated on drug
labelling and packaging, which often makes designing packaging more
a function of squeezing in material,...
Scientists in the US have developed a way to rapidly generate
libraries of gold nanoparticles that could have an array of
applications in the pharmaceutical industry, from target and drug
discovery studies to drug delivery.
Akzo Nobel business unit Diosynth, which specialises in the
production of complex active biopharmaceutical ingredients for the
pharmaceutical sector, has won a contract to apply its new method
for manufacturing synthetic peptides...
Excipients, often overlooked by pharmaceutical companies with their
attention firmly focused on active pharmaceutical ingredients, are
benefiting from an increasing awareness of their potential to cut
the costs of drug development.
Pharmos has announced the initiation of a phase I trial with
cannabinor, a CB2-selective synthetic cannabinoid drug candidate.
The trial aims to assess the drug's potential as a treatment for
neuropathic, inflammatory, visceral,...
A suite of optical detection methods, developed by Finnish
researchers alongside world number two drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline,
promises to cut the cost of drug production and increase the safety
and quality of medicinal products.
A recent survey has revealed that Affymetrix continues to lead the
DNA microarray market - expected to reach $937 million (€751
million) by 2010. However, Agilent Technologies and Applied
Biosystems are eyeing the top position, particularly...
Applied Biosystems have taken out a permanent injunction against
Bio-Rad Laboratories and its affiliate, MJ Research. This
effectively forbids these companies from making and selling
infringing thermal cycler products in the US capable...
MonoSolRx is planning to develop controlled drugs such as opioid
analgesics in its dissolving films, an emerging dosage format for
the oral delivery of drugs and nutritonal products.
French drug delivery company Flamel Technologies suffered another
blow yesterday when it was revealed that TAP Pharmaceutical
Products has pulled out of deal to develop a formulation of its
big-selling gastrointestinal drug lansoprazole...
US researchers believe they have discovered a new method in
designing a better drug to treat cystic fibrosis - a disease that
currently has no cure. The scientists eventually hope a drug can be
produced that would work efficiently...
US biotechnology company Chiron has rejected a takeover offer from
Swiss drugmaker Novartis, saying the latter's $40 a share offer
does not pass muster.
Chemical analysis specialists, Metrohm, have introduced its latest
ion chromatography system, which enables Gentamicin determination
without the complex set up that is characteristic of the current
HPLC method.
Following hot on the heels of the GSK's expansion of its vaccine
division, Novartis is seeking to take control of vaccine maker
Chiron by buying the remaining shares it does not already own in
the US firm for $4.5bn (£2.5bn).
Researchers have developed a way of recovering catalysts used in
the manufacture of pharmaceuticals using simple magnets,
potentially doing away with the need for complex separation and
purification steps.
Novartis has offered to buy the remaining shares it does not
already own in US headquartered Chiron for $4.5 billion, laying to
rest speculation in the marketplace that it had been eyeing up
Germany's Schering AG.
Researchers in the US have identified a molecular version of an
anchor, which allows the access of bacteria into the central
nervous system. By blocking the molecules anchoring ability, its
potential importance as a drug target may...
India's leading biotechnology company, Bharat Biotech, has said it
intends to spend more than €10 million on the construction of a
manufacturing facility in Perak, Malaysia, to mass produce
hepatitis B, typhoid and malaria vaccines.
GlaxoSmithKline has acquired a manufacturing facility in the USA
from Wyeth, and will invest at least $100 million (€80m) to develop
and produce flu vaccines at the site using new tissue culture
technology.
A new study, which uses a new method in identifying the specific
gene involved in high cholesterol has been hailed as, "a landmark
publication." The study also describes the potential to use this
approach in forming a treatment...
With blockbuster patents set to expire, the biogenerics market is
set to cash in as previous challenges such as a lack of regulatory
framework are nearing resolve, particularly in Western Europe.
Scentists have employed a new technique to manipulate the sugars
that power many front-line drugs, which has resulted in the
enhancement of a drug for heart disease. Manipulating the natural
sugars in a drug could help make natural...
Britiain's largest drugsmaker, GlaxoSmithKline, announced it is to
expand its ability to increase vaccines supplies by acquiring a
vaccine research and production facility from rivals Wyeth.
US researchers have pinpointed a key molecule involved in
triggering rare but usually fatal cancers known as rhabdoid
tumours. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for these
tumours that mainly affect children.
New techniques aimed at directly controlling the expression of
genes by activating or inactivating them at the DNA level could
lead to drugs for the treatment or cure of almost any disease, say
researchers
Italian pharmaceutical dosing and packaging equipment manufacturer,
MG2, has launched two new dosing machines for hard gelatine
capsules, which can handle different dosing combinations in the
same capsule, such as powder and tablet,...
US researchers have developed a nanoparticle-derived shell, which
they believe may some day target tumour cells and deliver
medication to specific locations. The polymer shell protection
ensures the drug can circulate longer without...
As part of its programme to develop a seamless system for tracking
goods through the supply chain, MIT's Auto-ID Laboratory is in the
process of building a software simulation to study how data will
flow to global trading partners...
The limited efficacy of existing diabetes therapies is set to pose
the main challenge for the European diabetes diagnostics markets as
the uptake and adoption for new innovative techniques determining
the future of this burgeoning...
Sigma-Aldrich launches its DNA polymerase product for PCR
amplification, which aims to minimise DNA contamination, making it
ideal for researchers looking for a more accurate method in
mutation scanning techniques, and wanting to...
Researchers in Japan have discovered a nickel-alloy coating with
antibacterial properties, which is believed to be effective at
reducing the SARS coronavirus. The use of this antibacterial
material has the potential to radically alter...
Targeted Genetics has announced the issuance of an
Additional-Associated Virus (AAV) vector technology patent, which
describes a technology that may help to maximise gene expression
efficiency with little or no loss in viral payload.
PhotoMedex has announced it has received two US patents covering
the use of its copper peptide compounds in dermatological skin
disorders. The technology is set to have uses for a variety of
active agents, including active drug substances...
The cost-effective benefits and research standards set to become
international has added to the attraction of outsourcing R&D to
India and China - two developing nations that are set to ease the
ever-increasing cost pressures,...
The creation of Sanofi-Aventis last year created a dent in its
second-quarter net profit as the French company looked to provide
good news to its investors. The drug maker managed to raise its
earnings target for the year and accelerated...
Ranbaxy Laboratories (RLL) has opened its third state-of-the-art
drug discovery research centre in India, boosting the country's
profile as a key destination for pharmaceutical-related R&D by
drug companies, who are attracted...
Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), announced today that it has
been awarded an additional information technology (IT) outsourcing
contract with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), valued at $100.5 million (€82
million) over five years.
A group of researchers in the US have enhanced the abilities of
molecules they are creating to deliver medication to cancer cells.
The man-made molecular complexes enter cancer cells and, when
signalled, deliver killing medicine or...
A recent report claims that nanobiotechnology is under growing
pressure to fulfil its potential and repay the private and public
funding that has been invested towards this emerging science
sector.
