An improved new statistical method developed by genome researchers,
is set to streamline the computation required to identify the
potential locations in the genome, as well as linking more gene
expression traits to two loci.
Acambis has commenced clinical trials of its investigational
vaccine against Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) - a common
hospital-acquired infection, in which a new virulent strain has
emerged, causing sharp increases in the number...
Buck Systems, part of Niro Pharma Systems, has launched a
laboratory-scale blender that allows users to analyse powders as
they are being blended and monitor changing powder characteristics,
achieving the ideal blend as quickly and...
NanoDrop Technologies has introduced a fluorospectrometer to its
line of analytical instruments that allow researchers to measure
ever-smaller sample amounts making it ideal for today's drug
research environment.
Scientists from the University of California have discovered three
molecules that show great potential in the development of new
Alzheimer's drugs. The new therapy targets a protein that
accumulates in Alzheimer's victims...
The world's biggest maker of birth-control pills, Schering AG, has
unveiled its second-quarter profit for 2005, which saw the
drugmaker's profits rise by 34 per cent, helped by sales of its
Yasmin contraceptive and gains...
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals firm Merck KGaA saw turnover rise but
pretax earnings dip in the second quarter of 2005, although the
results were skewed by the gain from its divestment of its
laboratory distribution business VWR International.
UK company Diurnal has received orphan product designation from the
European Commission for a novel treatment that uses a drug delivery
technology to match the body's circadian rhythms.
Maxim Pharmaceuticals has been issued with a US patent that covers
a novel class of potent apoptosis inducers with vascular targeting
activity that inhibits microtubule formation - a prime drug target
in the fight against cancer.
Chiron says it will be unable to supply any Begrivac influenza
vaccine to markets outside the US during the 2005/6 flu season,
just days after admitting it has sterility problems at a
manufacturing plant.
Lab and process equipment company Sartorius closed the first half
of 2005 with increases in sales revenue and earnings, with a good
performance by its filter business driven by demand from the
biopharmaceutical industry.
Provectus Pharmaceuticals are to begin phase 1 clinical trials of
new cancer treatment, PV-10, the company's new drug candidate for
the treatment of metastatic melanoma (the most aggressive form of
skin cancer), in which 53,000...
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals has opened its new vaccine manufacturing
facility in which commercial quantities of StaphVAX [Staphylococcus
aureus Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine] will be produced. StaphVAX
is currently in phase III development...
Pfizer has revealed that it is set to outsource some of its
technology jobs to India, harnessing the country's IT
infrastructure to focus more on clinical trial and other
R&D-related information management.
Cardiff-based drug delivery company Q Chip has extended its
collaborative research deal with Biocompatibles International, a
medical device company focused on the treatment of cardiovascular
disease, cancer and benign tumours.
Eksigent Technologies launches its liquid chromatography system for
nanospray mass spec analysis that allows sample loading at higher
flow rates, making it suitable for proteomics and biomarker
discovery applications.
Animal rights extremists sunk to a new low as Oxford University was
targeted in an arson campaign, which resulted in an estimated
£500,000 (€719 000) worth of damage to boats and property. The
attack was specifically intended to halt...
Alcan has launched the Guardlid, a new child-resistant
pharmaceutical packaging solution that has been designed
specifically for use in the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets.
Japanese biopharmaceutical company Sosei, is to acquire UK-based
Arakis, in a £106.5 million deal that includes a £213 million ($375
million) global partnership with Novartis for its lead product, a
once daily, inhaled, long-acting...
UCLA chemists have created the first nano valve that can be opened
and closed at will to trap and release molecules. The nano valve
could potentially be used as a drug delivery system, trapping and
releasing therapeutic molecules...
BioGenex announces the launch of the Xmatrx, a walk-away system for
automation of FISH, ISH, and IHC for molecular diagnostics and
therapeutic target identification and validation as well as cell
and tissue staining applications,...
Biosensors International Group has announced that its
Netherlands-based subsidiary, Occam International B.V. has received
Conformite Europeene (CE) Mark approval for the Group's first drug
eluting stent (DES), Axxion.
Sanofi Pasteur is to increase US influenza vaccine capacity as
plans to construct a new plant get underway. The new facility is
expected to be up and running in time for the 2009 influenza season
creating more than 100 new production...
Manufacturing consolidation and acquisition costs helped reduce net
income as Millipore revealed its 2005 second quarter financial
results. The company has just completed the purchase of two
companies with the intention of increasing...
Oral drug delivery specialists, Merrion Pharmaceuticals, have been
issued with a patent that covers new peptide compounds which can be
physically or chemically complexed with an active substance, either
a drug or a biological, in...
Questcor Pharmaceuticals has announced the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved its application to transfer the
manufacturing process of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)
in the company's adrenocorticotropic...
A first-in-class small molecule with a novel mechanism of action
that selectively induces cancer cell death is to undergo phase I
clinical trials. Its makers, Cylene Pharmaceuticals have claimed
the drug candidate has shown efficacy...
Sigma-Aldrich has launched a handful of laboratory equipment and
technological developments that could prove useful in drug
discovery. The life science company is currently in the midst of a
reorganisation of its operating structure...
Intermune and Array BioPharma have agreed to extend and expand
their current Hepatitis C (HCV) drug discovery collaboration. The
main area of focus, protease inhibitors, represents a promising
class of drugs for HCV because of its...
The new company has been launched to provide laboratory-based drug
discovery and clinical trials services to the pharmaceutical and
biotech industries. Lab21 services include lead identification and
optimisation, resistance profiling,...
Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche has acquired GlycArt Biotechnology
in an attempt to further strengthen Roche's capabilities in the
therapeutic antibody research sector, capitalising on their
pre-existing collaboration in September...
Invitrogen has opened a bioproduction facility in Australia to make
bovine sera products and reagents used in basic research and the
production of vaccines and biotherapeutic drugs.
According to latest findings, the biotechnology/pharmaceutical
industry submitted 542 commercial Investigational New Drug (IND)
applications in 2004, increasing by more than a third from the
previous year.
US pharmaceutical company Upsher-Smith Laboratories has been forced
into staffing cuts and a restructuring exercise by delays in the US
Food and Drug Administration's review of its nasal calcitonin
product for osteoporosis.
Lester Crawford was confirmed yesterday as the new Commissioner of
the US Food and Drug Administration, having already served for more
than a year in the post.
The trials and tribulations affecting US generics maker Able
Laboratories took a decisive turn yesterday when the company filed
for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reports Phil Taylor.
Life sciences investment group Abingworth Management has announced
the initial Abingworth BioEquities Fund (ABE) has raised $53
million (€44 million) to invest across the life sciences field
including human therapeutics.
Scientists believe they may have found a way to prevent heart
failure associated with the genetic disease, Duchenne muscular
dystrophy (DMD). The study is the first to demonstrate a new,
promising approach to repairing the cardiac...
Nanion has launched the world's smallest first generation of
throughput optimised patch-clamp automats. This drug discovery
technology is based on a micro-structured chip, which facilitates
electrophysiological experiments for...
German biotechnology company ICON Genetics is to start field trials
of a transgenic tobacco crop that will be used to produce an enzyme
with potential as an active pharmaceutical ingredient and as a
catalyst for the manufacture of...
US drugmaker Chiron is facing a significant shortfall in the volume
of influenza vaccine it will be able to ship to markets outside the
US as a result of sterility problems uncovered at another of its
manufacturing plants, reports...
The rapporteur trying to finesse the controversial REACH
legislation through the European Parliament, Guido Sacconi, has
formulated a compromise that aims to alleviate fears that the
regulations could pose a heavy financial burden...
US-based laboratory equipment specialist VWR International has
boosted its presence in Europe via the acquisition of Technical
Service Lab, a Dutch calibration and validation company.
A particle finder, which can determine particle size, number and
shape within 15 seconds, has been launched by German equipment
supplier rap.ID, which believes such technology could solve the
problem of foreign particle contamination...
Life Therapeutics has announced the acquisition of Pyramid
Biological Corporation in a deal that increases Life Therapeutics
presence in the source plasma sector - a market that has nearly
doubled, from $125 million (€103 million)...
A new in silico technique for generating enhanced predictions for
ADME/Tox research could have new implications in developing novel
drug techniques in combating drug-resistant infectious diseases and
cancer.
The European Medicines Agency has published updated guidelines on
the use of plastic packaging in pharmaceuticals, in a bid to help
packagers select the best and safest materials for their products.
According to new data, venture capital funding is on a downswing
with a demand for acquisitions shifting in the pharmaceutical
sector. The news could signal a trend towards the acquisition of
compounds, rights, licenses and product...
