Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the radiotracer
fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) could be used to detect Alzheimer's
disease in patients who have mild cognitive impairment, according
to a study reported in the October...
Key Technology subsidiary Symetix has launched a new inspection
system fortablets, capsules, and softgels called Vantyx that it
claims can achieve 100 percent, in-line inspection at full
production speeds.
Microbiologists from the University of Bradford in the UK believe
they may be closer to developing a vaccine that can protect newborn
babies from being infected by the common and potentially fatal
bacteria Group B Streptococcus.
New rules detailing an improved format for prescription drug labels
will be issued later this year, US Food and Drug Administration
deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs Scott
Gottlieb has said.
The pharmaceutical division of French packaging company Valois has
completed construction of a pilot filling and packaging unit based
at its site in Le Vaudreuil in the Eure area of France, dedicated
to the production of pressurised...
FMC BioPolymer said today that effective 15 October, it will
increase prices for its pharmaceutical and food brand products by 5
to 10 per cent on average, blaming increases in its own costs.
Codexis has achieved a second technical milestone, earlier than
expected, in a collaboration with Pfizer aimed at developing new
biocatalysts for the manufacture of the number one drugmaker's
products.
A healthcare facility the US has been cleared by the Food and Drug
Administration to manufacture high-strength fludeoxyglucose F 18, a
drug used for diagnostic imaging with positron emission tomography
(PET).
Sun Pharma of India has provided additional details of its plans
for its new facility in Hungary, purchased in August and intended
as a springboard to launch the company's ambitions in Europe and
around the world, and its recently-acquired...
The production capacity for biopharmaceutical manufacturing will
expand an average of 48 per cent over the next five years for
mammalian and microbial production systems, according to an
industry survey.
Avecia spin-out Reaxa has launched a new peptide coupling
technology based on 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2-MBT), which it
claims offers major operational and cost benefits in both small and
large scale solid-phase peptide synthesis.
Elusys Therapeutics' Anthrax drug candidate is to commence human
clinical trials after the biopharmaceutical company received
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The drug, which has
already received "Fast Track"...
According to a new report, growing regulations in the European
pharmaceuticals industry is having a harmful effect on the market,
causing many companies to shift their bases to the United States
where the directives are more relaxed.
Tecan, supplier of compound and sample storage, releases the new HS
Pro series of automated microarray hybridisation stations, which
providing fully automated slide processing, from pre-hybridisation
to automated slide drying.
Norwegian biotechnology firm, Genpoint, is running trials of new
DNA tests for tuberculosis (TB) in which its novel DNA method aims
to cut diagnosis time, cheaper and quicker without an increase of
personnel in the health care sector.
Scientists have synthesised a lab-made version of a human protein,
which alleviates symptoms of both acute and chronic arthritis. The
study opens new research avenues to better understand and develop
drug treatments for rheumatoid...
Australian drug delivery company pSivida has inked a deal valued at
$104 million (€87m) to buy Control Delivery Systems of the US,
allowing it tap into the biotechnology hub around Boston on the US
east coast.
Researchers in France have developed a new microporous material
that could have a range of applications for the pharmaceutical
industry, including chemical separation and catalysis in medicine
manufacturing and drug delivery.
MerLion Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaborative agreement
with Astellas Pharma to identify new anti-cancer drug candidates
derived from natural product chemistry.
Integra Biosciences has launched its next generation system that
enables automated filling of up to 540 Petri dishes at the push of
a button. The technology utilises an agar-spread function that
promises a 30 per cent saving on media...
Angiotech has announced the formation of a drug discovery and
development agreement with CombinatoRx that aims to focus on drug
treatments for peripheral vascular, coronary, and orthopaedic
disorders.
German chemical company BASF has completed its acquisition of
Orgamol, a transaction designed to boost its service offering to
the pharmaceutical sector.
Hueck Folien has introduced a new heat sealing lacquer that should
improve the barrier properties of blister packaging using
Honeywell's Aclar fluoropolymer films.
European researchers have come up with a basis for a drug that can
treat diabetes, cancer and prevent vessel occlusion. The
researchers believe that new compounds could be developed in the
future which are more selective, more effective...
Innovata of the UK has sold off its gene expression technology UCOE
to Celliance Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serologicals, for
an undisclosed fee.
US researchers have discovered a new immune cell that may play a
key role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, which raises the
prospect of finding ways to treat these disorders that include
asthma, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis...
CEM Corp has announced the formation of a division within the
company that will be focused on developing systems for scaling up
reactions performed using microwave synthesis.
Stem cells have the potential to become an effective diagnostic
tool singling out those susceptible of atherosclerosis, say
researchers. These cells could also help to predict regeneration of
heart cells following a heart attack.
According to new study, the virus that causes AIDS is becoming more
sensitive to drug treatments, contradicting a wealth of research
that demonstrates the emergence of drug resistant viral strains.
US scientists have designed a new receptor and enhanced bioassay
that is set to advance the drug discovery process for diseases such
as cystic fibrosis and Bartter's syndrome, tracking a drug's
activity inside the cell.
Contract biopharmaceutical manufacturer SynCo Bio Partners has
started construction of two new manufacturing suites at its
facility in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in a move that builds on
the firm's ability to make microbial...
UK drug delivery company Phoqus has said it plans to list on the
Alternative Investment Market (AIM) via an institutional placing
that should raise proceeds of £10-£12 million.
India's Matrix Laboratories has made two acquisitions that will
enhance its presence in the European and Asian markets for
pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients
(APIs).
According to a recent report, the emerging market for protein
microarrays will experience strong growth buoyed on by the
emergence of the technology's ability to detect protein expression
more quickly and easily than traditional...
S R Pharma have released its interim results for the first half of
2005, which show the continued consolidation of Research and
Development costs as resources were diverted to acquire contract
development services provider, Atugen.
Two novel technologies, designed to check water supplies for
toxins, is set to provide a new on-site monitoring approach,
enhancing current utility monitoring systems that require water
samples to be sent to laboratories for analysis.
Animal activists' latest target in its campaign of terrorism has
centred on a chain of children's nurseries that has links with the
chemicals testing company, Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS).
Greenbridge Environmental Control of the UK has introdueced a new
cleaner and disinfectant agent, suitable for commercial scale
applications, that is claimed to be the first non-toxic product of
its type.
Research scientists have targeted alterations in a human
chromosome, which can be used to improve the diagnosis and
treatment of brain tumours in adults that currently account for
over 50 per cent of primary tumours.
UK drug delivery company Skyepharma has been forced to raise funds
to carry out trials of its combination drug for asthma and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after failing to find a
partner for the project.
Celtic Pharma has announced the acquisition of a stake in IDEA - a
biopharma company, which is developing targeted therapeutics based
on novel, Transfersome carriers that can increase drug potency and
diminish harmful side effects.
A patent covering a simple design for a safety syringe, which uses
a vacuum rather than a spring to retract the needle after use and
should be cheaper to manufacture than current products, has been
filed in the US by Maxxon Inc.
US biotechnology major Genzyme officially opened four European
facilities last week as part of a investment package eventually
expected to cost $540 million (€449m).
DecisionNews Media is seeking a further reporter for its
pharmaceuticals industry news services. Applicants must be
exceptionally bright, ambitious and talented, with experience in
news writing on the pharmaceuticals industry.
Olympus has introduced three new additions to its cell* range,
which enable image capture and documentation, as well as
fluorescence applications that will prove useful for drug
discovery.
The Advanced Biosciences division of US specialty materials maker
Rohm and Haas has decided to sell its entire range of solutions for
the production of biopharmaceuticals directly to customers.
Multisorb Technologies has launched a new oxygen-absorbing product
to increase the shelf life of pharmaceuticals at the ongoing Pack
Expo Las Vegas exhibition.
New discoveries and innovative technologies will create growth
opportunities in the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market with
molecular diagnostic assays set to feature strongly in the
development of personalised medicine and theranostics.
