The world's first and only radio frequency identification (RFID)
smart cap, originally designed for drug trial compliance
monitoring, is being re-launched as an anti-counterfeiting tool.
A newly signed research and collaboration agreement between MFIC
Corporation and The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) will
facilitate the development of new applications, processes and
products in the growing area of nanomaterials.
pSivida has signed a licensing agreement with Beijing's Med-Pharm,
in a move that will facilitate distribution of BrachySil in China -
the world's fastest growing market for pharmaceuticals.
DSM announced that higher margins and lower fixed costs had boosted
operating profits by 44 per cent to €220 million in the third
quarter, with the performance materials and industrial chemicals
divisions leading the increase.
Beckman Coulter, launch its second offering in its new family of
flow cytometers for drug discovery and basic clinical research. The
new addition aims to expand study parameters of flow cytometry by
incorporating side scatter measurement...
Scientists have admitted that an unexpected genetic phenomenon in
prostate cancer has changed conventional thinking over approaches
in drug treatment of breast, colon and lung malignancies.
Scientists have discovered how good cholesterol (HDLs) provide
human immunity to certain parasites, which may serve as a platform
for the assembly and delivery of two naturally occurring proteins
that combine to create a super-toxic...
According to a new report, more than 400 new medicines are in
development to treat diseases that affect US women, including 62
medicines now in testing to treat breast cancer.
Scientists from the US have discovered that compounds secreted by
frog skin could be used as a successful treatment in the fight
against HIV infection, which if developed further, could form an
effective pharmaceutical treatment.
US consumers could have saved $20 billion (€16.6 billion) in 2004
and even more could be saved in future years by using more generic
drugs, according to a new report by Express Scripts.
Millipore has launched a new reverse osmosis (type III) water
purification system, designed to meet the needs of laboratories
that only require up to 30 L/day of purified tap water.
Troubled firm Flamel reported a sharp decrease in total third
quarter revenues - $3.1 million (€2.6 million), compared to $13.3
million this time last year - resulting in a net loss $11.9
million.
Simulations Plus has announced the release of a new hERG potassium
channel blocking affinity model that extends the capabilities of
its ADMET Predictor software in the area of cardiac drug toxicity.
The selection of pharma and biotech companies reporting results for
the third quarter of 2005 provided mixed indications as to the
state of the industry. Pipeline product fruition may be returning
among the industries as DrugResearcher.com...
Viscotek
launches its latest entry-level system for laboratories looking to
conduct characterisation of proteins, and other biomolecules,
allowing researchers to make a determination of absolute Molecular
Weight, a traditionally...
According to a new study, the worldwide market for in vitro cancer
diagnosis will reach the $7.4 billion (€6.1 billion) mark by 2009,
as the demand for such tests will continue to increase as new
cancer cases soars toward the 10 million...
US researchers have discovered how cancer cells communicate with
each other that is crucial to the tumour growth and motility of
cancer cells. By inhibiting this process via pharmaceutical
intervention, successful treatment of a range...
A federal US judge set a precedent last week in ruling against the
US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in a four-year dispute
against Utah Medical Products.
After positive trial results in Europe, Chiron has initiated a US
Phase I/II study of a new flu vaccine offering faster production in
the event of an vaccine supply shortfall or an avian flu pandemic.
GE Healthcare has recently launched a number of diverse and
transformational medical technologies aimed at improving
productivity across the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Merck announced last week a 57 per cent increase in third-quarter
net profit, reporting an operating result of €291 million, a 36 per
cent increase on last year.
Ampac have developed a novel, lightweight, high-barrier pouch,
offering pharmaceutical manufacturers a new option for delivering
pulmonary drugs in a more efficient manner than traditional
container types.
The FDA is to extend its original review period for Exubera
(insulin (rDNA origin) powder for oral inhalation) by three months
to review additional technical chemistry data submitted by its
producers.
Penn Pharmaceutical Services has reported strong sales figures for
the fifth consecutive year, with a key driver of recent growth
being attributed to a boom in contract manufacturing as well as
small-scale commercial batches.
Cryopak Industries has struck a deal to supply GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK) with insulated containers and internal thermal components for
shipping of its temperature sensitive vaccines in Canada.
Cambrex has recorded a gain in the third quarter of this year, with
growth in its Bioproducts and Human Health segments. The company's
troublesome BioPharma division continues to underperform,
indicative of a market for outsourced...
Cardinal Health reported a varied first quarter, with sales and
income receiving substantial gains due to across-the-board
improvement in pharmaceutical distribution, medical products and
services and clinical technologies.
Biolex Therapeutics and Kringle Pharma have announced a
collaboration for the production of a novel protein targeting
cancer. The protein is thought to be inefficient to produce with
traditional expression systems.
Researchers have demonstrated the precise movements of an enzyme
during replication that may serve as a precursor to understanding
genetic disease caused by abnormal enzyme activity.
Scientists have described it as an achievement that will
revolutionise medicine as the first genetic "map" of human
diversity was published. The gene map, which details common
differences in the human genome, could lead...
Genetic diagnostics is driving improvements in modern day medical
treatment with the move towards personalised medicine and
prevention-oriented healthcare all opening up market opportunities
for genetic pinpointing techniques.
Agilent Technologies launches its latest microarray solution for
analysing activity at regulatory regions of genomes, enabling
researchers to examine gene regulation in a more efficient and
cost-effective manner.
Arsenal Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Reilly
Industries for €209 million and Velsicol Chemical for an
undisclosed fee. The purchases continue a rich vein of activity for
the private equity firm, which now hold...
Millipore, a maker of purification systems used in drug
manufacturing, reported lower third-quarter profit due to
acquisition-related tax charges and manufacturing consolidation
costs.
Malvern Instruments and Leeds University have formed a long-term
partnership to launch 'IntelliSense,' - a programme that will help
to deliver the next generation of sensors and control solutions,
creating opportunities...
A new UK-listed company that has developed a way of producing high
purity calcium carbonate is targeting the pharmaceutical industry
concerned by growing regulatory pressure on heavy metal
contamination.
Medisyn Technologies has entered into agreement with Humanetics
that aims to drive the discovery of natural compounds that can
offer safe, natural therapeutic options in the areas of obesity,
immune system and cognitive function.
The first melatonergic antidepressant to offer a new approach to
the treatment of depression is just over the horizon after new data
demonstrated positive efficacy with marked improvements in sleep
with no effect on daytime vigilance.
Animal rights activists, who engage in acts of violence, could be
prosecuted under new anti-terror legislation proposals outlined by
the Government that aim to crack down on recent attacks on British
Universities with animal research...
Benetic has announced the signing of two major agreements, one that
grants Sigma-Aldrich license for the use of Benitec's RNAi
technology. Sigma's acquisition of an equity stake in Benitec also
signals its intentions regarding...
Serono has announced a mixed third quarter 2005 with product sales
and total revenues weaker than predicted. Its net income beat
market consensus but the company was hit by an $18.3 million (€15.2
million) one-off charge related to...
In response to the increasing demand for high potency APIs,
Omnichem is increasing its Class V handling capabilities with an
expansion of their facility in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
The interest in Syntonix' SynFusion and Transceptor technologies
intensified as Boehringer Ingelheim became the second
pharmaceutical company to use this technology to optimise its
therapeutic peptides for inhalation.
Novasep Process launches its latest Supercritical Fluid
Chromatography unit, which aims to cut time and operating costs by
incorporating an automated CO2 recycling feature making it suitable
for purification process development, laboratory...
Researchers have put forward a unique process for 'cleaning'
volatile organic compounds - a process that could have considerable
importance to organic compounds that are used in the pharmaceutical
manufacturing process.
The chemicals industry could be revolutionalised by a new class of
environmentally friendly chemicals with the potential to replace
the use of hazardous, petroleum-based solvents in laboratories and
industrial plants.
Drug packaging maker West Pharmaceutical Services release its 3Q
results, which indicate a rise in profits but fell short of analyst
estimates, due to slow sales in some segments and high raw material
and energy costs.
