The threat of intimidation, harrassment and violence by
animal extremist goups has prompted new recommendations
detailing measures scientific institutions can take to protect
laboratory researchers.
Beckman Coulter saw its fourth quarter earnings held back by
the cost of acquiring NexGen Diagnostics, but the
underlying business was strong with a near-11 per cent hike in
revenues.
After several years, Invitrogen and Agilent have at last settled
patent infringement court cases concerning tools used in
complementary DNA synthesis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and
other molecular biology applications.
Four of India's biggest vaccine manufacturers have had their
licenses suspended by the Indian government after failing to meet
good manufacturing practise (GMP) requirements, according to local
media reports.
The green tea polyphenol (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) may slash
the risk of gastric cancer among women by 75 per cent, suggests a
new study from Japan.
A new process for synthesising anti-inflammatory drugs such as
ibuprofen could offer an environmentally friendly means of avoiding
the 50 per cent waste seen with current methods of synthesis.
Cambridge Major Laboratories (CML) said it is planning to execute a
$30m expansion project which will spawn one of most modern active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing sites in North
America.
Artel has introduced a new feature for its Multichannel
Verification System (MVS), which includes an automation function
that allows for time savings and reducing human error.
With increasing pressures on pharma pipelines leading to greater
interest in compound licensing, firms can be caught out by failing
to give scalability issues due attention, according to Joseph
D'Antuono speaking at last week's...
Spirax Sarco Engineering, the UK-based group focused on systems for
the use and control of steam and industrial fluids, is boosting its
activities in the biopharmaceuticals sector through the acquisition
of Denmark's Flexicon...
Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has launched LabLinker, a free
online system for sharing genome sequence data and even share
shipping costs of orders.
Cellexus Biosystems, the UK company that designs, manufactures and
sells disposable cell growth technology for the biopharmaceutical
industry, is extending the rental plan offered on its CellMaker
Lite2 single-use bioreactor in response...
A new technique that analyses the structural characteristics, and
not the sequence, of DNA has revealed previously unknown areas of
the human genetic code responsible for gene expression.
Researchers can now reduce the cost and time taken to breed goats
that can produce therapeutic proteins using gene therapy.
Experts say these transgenic animals could cut the cost of insulin
and other cancer-fighting proteins.
An Indian contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) firm
is planning to plant its roots in the US to try and drum up more
business in this lucrative market.
Novartis has been given a warning by US regulators detailing
significant failures in its investigation into tracking down the
source of contamination in some of its vaccines.
Plexera Biosciences is hoping to leave its rivals in its wake
following an exclusive option agreement for Auguron Biosciences'
DNA-based protein chips.
US contract manufacturer Catalent Pharma Solutions has leveraged
its partnership with Secure Symbology (SSI) for track and trace
barcode technology to help biopharmaceutical company Biogen Idec
comply with California's pending...
At this week's Informex show in New Orleans, experts at a packed
out session discussed the potential of up-and-coming continuous
processing technologies and posed the question: is batch processing
yesterday's technology?
US researchers have developed a method of treating waste water that
is effective in stripping out hormonal compounds thought to arise
from the use and manufacturing of contraceptives and other
pharmaceutical and industrial products.
WaferGen has launched a new subsidiary in Kedah, Malaysia, with the
express purpose of overseeing research and development of its
real-time PCR system.
In any laboratory, or indeed in any pharmaceutical manufacturing
facility, one of the major expenses will be solvents. And just like
the price of petrol and diesel it just keeps going up and up.
Huw Kidwell examines how a new recycling...
Thermo Fisher Scientific aims to make automation in the drug
discovery lab a whole lot easier through the development of an
articulated robot specifically designed for pharmaceutical
applications.
Labcyte and Deerac Fluidics, which both make liquid handling
devices, albeit for different low-volume ranges, have decided to
merge and combine their technologies.
Another sharp decline in biomedical production saw overall
manufacturing output in Singapore fall for the second month running
in December, prompting fears that the heavily trade-reliant economy
could buckle under a looming US recession.
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals this week announced that is considering a
possible sale or merger of the company, with 'multiple entities'
apparently interested in the business.
US scientists have found a way of stopping quantum dots from
'blinking'. The resultant increase in light intensity could make
them more useful in medical research.
Tecan and PerkinElmer have taken the opportunity to showcase new
plate reader products at LabAutomation 2008, firmly re-establishing
themselves as major players in this popular and lucrative sector.
Lonza has revealed a profit hike for the full year of 2007,
reflecting the fruit of its "revised growth strategies"
across its business units, said the firm, which also announced its
"innovations" for future growth...
The world's most powerful transmission electron microscope has been
turned on in the US, with single-atom resolution bringing within
reach the ability to analyse chemicals simply by looking at them.
Israeli generics behemoth Teva is following the market and banking
on the promise of biologics with its purchase of Human Genome
Sciences biotech spin-off, CoGenesys.
Vapourtec has made two new additions to its Flow Chemistry platform
available as the company make headway in an emerging field, which
aims to speed up laboratory processes in drug discovery.
After seven months of offers, refusals and heated exchanges, it
seems an increased offer from Roche has finally persuaded the
powers that be at Ventana to sell up.
GE Healthcare has reported its fourth quarter and full year
financial results in a tough 12 months that have seen the
laboratory imaging and diagnostics company feel the full force of
US Government regulatory pressure.
Canadian vaccine specialist ImmunoVaccine Technologies (IVT) has
scored a multi-million dollar grant to go towards developing its
potent immune enhancement systems.
Australian firm Fluorotechnics wants to bolster the sales of its
proteomics products in Japan and so has signed up Osaka firm Wako
Pure Chemical Industries to help.
