Tecan has launched the Freedom EVO 96R and EVO 384R, two new
integrated multi-channel pipetting platforms for liquid handling
applications. These systems will be presented at the "Drug
Discovery Technology" exhibition in...
In the first study of its kind, researchers have identified the
genes in non-cancerous supporting cells that can encourage the
growth of breast cancer cells. The findings suggest aiming
chemotherapy at both normal and cancer cells...
Last week's International Conference on AIDS in Thailand was marked
by a report that pointed to a dearth of innovation in HIV vaccine
research, both from the manufacturing perspective and in terms of
the mechanism of action of...
Sartorius, a German manufacturer of laboratory equipment, is
considering a possible initial public offering for its
biotechnology unit Vivascience in the second half of this year,
according to local press reports.
Swiss fine chemicals company Siegfried has been insulated from the
general downturn in the chemicals industry, but has finally
succumbed and been forced to lose staff and cut back production,
writes Phil Taylor.
3M has teamed up with MicroDose Technologies to market a new
metered dose inhaler that should be cheap to produce and deliver a
broad range of compounds.
Drug development company Jerini has transferred its peptide
technologies business unit to a wholly owned subsidiary which will
continue to provide and develop peptide-based services and products
for biomedical research.
Major pharmaceutical and generics players are continuing to invest
in plants for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients,
with Pfizer, Ivax, Berlex and Protein Design Labs all announcing
new ventures in the last few days.
Packaging machinery company Thiele Technologies has launched an
automatic packer system that is specifically designed for use by
the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Dutch pharmaceuticals and chemicals group Akzo Nobel has reported a
small decline in sales in the first half of the year, although the
cost of ongoing restructuring caused net earnings to slump by
nearly a quarter to €245 million.
The drive towards achieving better energy efficiency in UK
manufacturing was given fresh impetus this week following the
latest government spending review, writes Anthony Fletcher.
Researchers have developed the first tool to identify and study
individual neurons activated in a living animal, ultimately leading
to the development of targeted drugs that directly affect neurons
involved in neurological diseases...
Global efforts to develop a vaccine to treat HIV infection could be
derailed because investigators have not considered manufacturing
processes in the design of their candidates.
Aspen Pharmacare, Africa's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, has
been told that it can retain a recently purchased manufacturing
facility for off-patent active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs),
providing it continues to supply...
ADT Security Services has developed a radiofrequency identification
(RFID) system aimed at providing manufacturers with an upgradeable
solution for meeting the implementation goals set by Wal-Mart and
other leading retailers.
A step forward has been taken in understanding the genetic disorder
Huntingdon's after the discovery of a protein whose mutation causes
it to stop functioning properly and trigger the disease.
The European Union is sponsoring a new initiative aimed at
producing pharmaceuticals in genetically modified crop plants such
as maize, and hopes to start the first clinical trials of a product
by 2009. But the news has been met with...
The market for the tools and services in combinatorial chemistry
and high-throughput screening approached $3 billion in 2003
(€2.43bn), but a new set of challenges is shifting customers'
focus, according to a new study.
Clinomics Biosciences has signed a collaboration agreement with the
Moffitt Cancer Centre with a primary objective to jointly develop
new technologies for use in cancer research.
US company QuantomiX has introduced its QX capsule technology to
the European research market allowing researchers for the first
time to directly image cells in their native wet environment with a
standard scanning electron microscope...
Global efforts to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and
AIDS have intensified over the past few years, yet they continue to
fall short of what is likely to be needed to achieve success,
reports Phil Taylor.
Viruses are increasingly being used as delivery vectors in the
pharmaceutical industry, for example to deliver genes to cells or
DNA sequences that function as vaccines. But formulating them so
that the virus' activity is retained...
Sun Microsystems has delayed the opening of a centre in Scotland
that will allow European companies interested in exploring the use
of radiofrequency identification technology a base for pilot
projects.
A natural mutation of a gene that helps regulate the reactivity of
the immune system is a major contributor to type 1 diabetes,
researchers have found, writes Wai Lang Chu..
Swiss chemicals group Clariant, currently in the throes of a major
restructuring exercise, has sold off its UK-based Lancaster
Synthesis unit to Johnson Matthey.
Strahman Valves of the US has expanded its product line and
increased its presence in Europe with the acquisition of MG Process
Valves. Both companies market a range of valves for the
pharmaceutical and other process industries.
SkyePharma has completed Phase III testing of a new version of
AstraZeneca's asthma drug Pulmicort (budesonide) that does not use
ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants.
A new Sino-American joint venture for manufacturing
pharmaceuticals, HBBenda, has started operations in Guangshui,
China, after being granted Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
approval.
A case currently going through the European Court of Justice could
have worrying implications for companies that use reformulation and
drug delivery as a way to extend the patented lifespan of their
drugs.
Lonza Biologics has licensed rights its proprietary CHOK1SV cell
line to Canadian firm Chromos Molecular Systems for a project aimed
at making improved mammalian cells for biological syntheses.
Moscow, Russia-based Quantum Pharmaceuticals is offering
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies the opportunity to test
the latest version of its molecular docking software - Quantum 2.0
- at no cost, reports Phil Taylor.
Evident Technologies, a company in the market for quantum dots (a
tool for fluorescence detection in biological systems) has started
commercial production of its first biotinylated reagents.
Researchers in the US have provided the first direct evidence in
mice for the role of an enzyme that specifically controls the
production of serotonin in the brain.
Swiss life sciences company Tecan has launched the Freedom EVO 75,
a compact laboratory liquid handling system for medium throughput
applications which represents another addition to the EVO family
and its range of liquid handling...
The US Food and Drug Administration claims drug companies have
violated government law by failing to disclose the existence of
clinical trials to a government database, writes Wai Lang
Chu.
Codexis has appointed a new head of biocatalysis and chemical
development, shoring up its expertise in what is a small but
fast-growing area of the catalysts market.
Much has been written on In-Pharmatechnologist.com about the
impact on China of accession to the World Trade Organisation and
the effects on the domestic pharmaceutical industry of the
resulting need to comply with international intellectual...
A yeast encapsulation technology developed by UK company Micap is
at the heart of a new strategy for controlling
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the 'superbug'
that is emerging as a major threat in hospitals...
Germany's Boehringer Ingelheim has completed the validation process
for its new biopharmaceutical production plant in Biberach with a
positive inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A collaboration between De Novo Pharmaceuticals and Peakdale
Molecular of the UK has led to the launch of a library of drug-like
compounds that interact with G protein-coupled receptors, a fertile
new source of drug targets.
BD Biosciences has acquired Atto Bioscience in a deal worth $25
million (€20m), allowing it to enter the emerging high content cell
analysis market and enhancing its presence in the pharmaceutical
and biotechnology sectors.
The discovery of the three-dimensional structure of the anthrax
toxin as it binds to and enters human cells could lead to both a
treatment for the disease and a way to harness its effects in
cancer therapy, according to a report in...
Sun Pharma of India has announced plans to buy an ailing
cephalosporin bulk active company, Phlox Pharma, to gain access to
an internationally approved generic active pharmaceutical
ingredient.
Although Europe is a world leader in chemical production, holding
28 per cent of the world market, its proportion of global trade has
dropped by 4 per cent over the past decade. The time has come to
take action, according to two industry...
US company Sensitech has bought a Danish firm that shores up its
position in temperature and humidity monitoring of supply chains
and expands its presence into the European market.
The results of a new clinical trial provide evidence that Durect's
Oradur delivery technology can reduce the risk of misuse or abuse
of narcotic painkillers.
