New web based software, which can extract potentially life-saving
knowledge from data in minutes, has bioinformatic research
applications that could prove essential to laboratory technicians
wanting to improve diagnosis and treatment...
Researchers have managed to produce a microscope the size of a
single human cell, which could lead to faster development of new
drugs and quicker medical tests.
Schweizerhall is well on the way to completing its acquisition of
Cimex Pharma, and as a result completing the first stage of its
transition to become a specialist supplier to the European generics
industry, reports Phil Taylor.
Pfizer's recently acquired UK business Meridica has supplied the
first Xcelodose automated encapsulator system to a contract
research company in North America.
Witt Gas Technologies has launched a new version of its Leak-Master
packaging integrity tester in the UK that could pay for itself in
terms of cost savings in as little as two months, claims the
company.
Molecular Devices launches two new reagent products for ADME assay
screening, which provide high throughput screening laboratories
with biologically relevant solutions to increase the throughput of
ADME-related compound profiling.
The US Food and Drug Administration's decision to ban the use of
chlorofluorocarbon propellants in albuterol metered-dose inhalers
(MDIs) from the end of 2008 will effectively mean the market will
revert to one of branded rather...
The controversy over the COX-2 inhibitor class refuses to die down
after the FDA asked Pfizer to withdraw Bextra (valdecoxib) from the
market because the overall risk of heart disease and
life-threatening skin reactions outweighed...
Scientists, paving the way for new treatments against Malaria, have
discovered a genetic "camouflage" with which the malaria parasite
hides itself from the immune system of the host. The findings could
lead to the development...
Selerity Technologies introduces a new silica-based stationary
phase that can withstand temperatures of up to 200ºC, overcoming
the extreme temperature barrier that has hampered HPLC technology
progression.
The chemicals subsidiary of Germany's Boehringer Ingelheim is
expanding its manufacturing capacity for the nasal decongestant
phenylephrine hydrochloride to tap into what it said is growing
demand worldwide.
Germany's Boehringer Ingelheim is claiming the number two spot
among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies for 2004 growth,
reporting double-digit gains for both revenues and operating
profit.
Thermo Electron has updated its XYZ robotic TriPlus Autosampler
(AS) for increased sample throughput for GC and GC/MS applications
in the pharmaceutical, food, fragrance and environmental
laboratories.
Injectable drug delivery specialist West Pharmaceutical Services
has develop a system of anticounterfeiting measures for its
Flip-Off seals, widely used for injectable drugs that are withdrawn
from vials by a syringe.
Innodia are to initiate a phase I trial of its lead drug candidate
for the treatment of type 2 diabetes with a view to bringing this
novel drug to market and the 170 million people affected by the
disease, a number that is expected...
Nanostream has introduced an integrated plate changing system
designed to meet the increasing demand in high-throughput
analytical laboratories. The system also aims to allow users to
increase their analytical throughput for a variety...
A new signature genetics tool, which allows doctors to personalise
drug therapy, could well have the potential to personalise a
patient's drug regimen based on his/her genetic makeup to minimise
side effects and maximise drug...
Varian has introduced a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe that
for the first time can be used to determine the molecular
structures of proteins and other biomolecules in the solid state.
The world's largest drug firm, Pfizer, warned that 2005 would be
its "toughest year ever" as the pharmaceutical company detailed
restructuring plans to save $4 billion (€3.1 billion) in costs
every year as well as cushion...
The world's number one drug company, Pfizer, yesterday announced
cost-cutting measures aimed at saving $4 billion (€3.1bn) by 2008,
as it faces a raft of patent expirations on its top drugs and
continued pressure on its painkiller...
Belgian chemicals company Solvay is planning to expand its
production of sodium bicarbonate to improve supplies into the
European market, reports Phil Taylor.
Huntingdon Life Sciences has announced the expansion of its
pre-clinical pharmaceutical inhalation safety testing facility in
the US, which aims to double capacity and meet the increasingly
rigorous requirements demanded by the pharmaceutical...
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has praised
the latest report, acknowledging the importance of the UK
pharmaceutical industry in "improving people's quality of life,
reducing the need for surgical...
Pall has launched a new gas filter that should increase safety in
the production of biologic drugs that need to be made in an
oxygen-enriched environment, writes Phil Taylor.
India now has its sights firmly set on the biotechnology industry,
having already emerged as a dynamic new player in the global market
for chemical-based pharmaceuticals, reports Phil Taylor.
Laboratory equipment supplier VWR International - recently sold by
Germany's Merck KGaA - has expanded in Ireland and Puerto Rico,
both hotbeds of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, via the
acquisition of local companies,...
Europe has become a serious rival to the US in its efforts to
deploy genomics and proteomics as vital tools in drug discovery and
development. The push to become competitive has mainly stemmed from
significant government funding and...
Data from the first drug in a new class of antibiotics was
presented at this year's ECCMID conference, which showed the drug
demonstrated its efficacy against a wide variety of gram-positive
and gram-negative bacteria including...
A new radio-isotope system that eliminates fraction collection and
allows on-line detection of low-level HPLC peaks, suitable for
pharmaceutical, agrochemical and environmental studies, has been
launched by AIM Research, reports Wai...
Researchers have developed miniature sensors that reduce time taken
for DNA analysis. The sensors have the same size and thickness as a
fingernail and will have uses in testing genetic toxicity in new
drugs and identifying bacterial...
Researchers have identified several proteins on the surface of
cancer cells that contribute to the cells' ability to metastasise.
The finding provides unique drug targets to prevent the cancer
spread and a basis for which new...
Applied Biosystems has launched two new mass spectrometers, which
extend the firm's existing product line providing improved
performance for proteomics and small molecule applications.
Shares in German group Altana advanced at the end of last week on
the re-emergence of rumours that it is planning to separate its
pharmaceuticals and chemicals businesses via a spin-out.
Serono and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals announced today that they have
entered into an agreement that allows Serono the exclusive rights
to use Syntonix' Transceptor and Synfusion technologies for the
development and commercialisation...
Sanofi-Aventis subsidiary Sanofi Pasteur, has been awarded a $97m
(€75m) contract to accelerate the production process for new cell
culture influenza vaccines in the US and the design of a US-based
cell-culture vaccine manufacturing...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the end of 2008 as
its deadline for the complete phase-out of albuterol inhalers using
ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as propellants,
reports Phil Taylor.
UK firm Denny Bros has introduced a new booklet-style label to the
pharma sector that incorporates a secondary, 'pealable' label that
can be used for administration or other functions.
Researchers have identified a serine protease inhibitor as a novel
candidate susceptibility gene for chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). The discovery has major implications, especially in
smokers, where the role of the...
German pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and Ark
Therapeutics have signed an agreement granting BI exclusive rights
to Ark's intellectual property in relation to BI therapies
affecting the renin-angiotensin system.
Serono of Switzerland is planning to expand its billion dollar
multiple sclerosis franchise with a new version of interferon beta
that would do away with the need for injections, reports Phil
Taylor.
A new generation of cholesterol lowering drugs could be in the
offering after a team of scientists identified a key protein that
is involved in cholesterol regulation. The discovery could provide
alternatives for the 25 million people...
US researchers have found a compound, TAK-187, is significantly
more effective than the current treatment for Chagas disease, a
parasitic infection in Central and South America and Mexico, that
can infect almost 650,000 people annually,...
SupplyScape, a US company specialising in developing track and
trace technologies for the pharmaceutical industry, has raised $7m
in a private financing, writes Phil Taylor.
REPLICor is developing a broad spectrum antiviral drug, which has
the broadest spectrum of activity in vitro ever reported for a
single chemical entity and has proved to have a devastating action
on the herpes viruses, influenza and...
Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva has forged another
partnership in the generic biopharmaceutical sector, linking up
with US firm Barr Laboratories to develop a generic version of
Amgen's white blood cell stimulator Neupogen...
Euroscreen has announced it has been issued with a US patent, which
relates to a high-throughput screening method of modulators for any
GPCR, calcium-coupled channel or protein.
