Breaking News on Drug Discovery
All news articles > January 2005
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28-Jan-2005
Genaissance obtains gene test patent
With safety a key issue amongst drug researchers and manufacturers, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals has expanded its genetic testing service, which can analyse key cardiac ion channel proteins involved in drug-induced cardiac arrhythmias.
CryoProbe boosts performance of NMR systems
NMR specialists Bruker Biospin launches the 400 MHz 5mm DCH CryoProbe, a cryogenically cooled probe that greatly increases sensitivity and lower detection limits than standard probes.
Neuro3d initiates depression trials with ND7001
A new type of antidepressant drug with a novel mechanism of action, which acts on a new target, has entered Phase I clinical trials. The drug could represent a new generation of psycho-active compounds that are devoid of the problems seen with existing treatments.
Dharmacon RNAi technology selected by Genentech
Dharmacon and Genentech have entered into a collaboration in which RNA interference (RNAi) technology is to be used in future drug discovery and development research. One focus of the deal is gene silencing, a powerful and increasingly used new technology based on RNAi.
Diabetes drug progress promising but slow
A new potential diabetes drug from Dia-B Tech, which is based on a naturally occurring peptide consisting of four amino acids, promises convenience and fewer side effects over current day treatments for type 2 diabetes.
26-Jan-2005
Quantum dot market to exceed €384 million by 2009
The total global market for Quantum Dots (QD) is expected to exceed $0.5 billion (€384 million) despite its expense and the novelty of this technology. The core of this industry drive is expected to play out in the life sciences and biomedical arena.
New active agents against leishmaniasis
Scientists have targeted the alkaloids of the quinolines chemical family, which have proved effective against visceral leishmaniasis treating this severe form of the disease with its antiparasitic properties.
Upstate introduces drug efficacy service
Serologicals company, Upstate Group, has introduced a one-of-a-kind service, which aims to provide drug development companies with valuable insights into therapies and efficacy within cells.
Mergen launches OEM business for DNA microarrays
Biotechnology company Mergen Limited has announced the launch of a new service reselling DNA microarrays for gene expression analysis. The service signals a cost effective approach to providing custom-built microarrays to the market.
Procognia and Hamilton enter array deal
Procognia and Hamilton life sciences have entered into a joint collaboration, which focuses on the automated growth and handling of Procognia's functional human protein arrays.
24-Jan-2005
COX-2s: regulatory action to follow?
Regulatory action on the COX-2 inhibitors was still a possibility as the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) held hearings with Pfizer, Merck Sharp & Dohme and Novartis regarding the safety over the drug class.
Vitra introduces nuclear translocation kit
Vitra Bioscience has introduced a new nuclear translocation application, a new method enabling the measurement of cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation, a critical indicator of cellular response to various drug treatments.
Animal extremists' intimidation scares suppliers
Figures released by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has revealed that the level of intimidation posed by animal extremists reaches as far as the suppliers who do business with companies involved with animal research.
Helix BioMedix announces anti-infective collaboration
US peptide developers Helix BioMedix has entered into collaboration with Smith & Nephew, which aims to focus on the development of HB50, the company's lead topical anti-infective peptide.
Allos Therapeutics initiates new cancer therapy
Allos Theraputics have initiated a phase 1 study of its investigational drug PDX (pralatrexate) that has so far proved effective against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This treatment has the potential to surpass Methotrexate as the preferred method of therapy.
21-Jan-2005
Combo drugs deliver healthy profits
An emerging trend has identified an emergence of combination drugs, which could be a solution to patient non-compliance, a major factor in the rise of drug resistant microorganisms in the industrialised nations.
Applied Biosystems contributes to PCR market
The ability of Applied Biosystem's 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System to reduce experimental time by almost three times from 2 hours to approximately 35 minutes, in an industry standard 96-well format, demonstrates the progress this market has made, evolving in size, low barriers-to-entry and opportunities for differentiation.
Pfizer signs asthma and COPD deal
Pfizer and Rigel Pharmaceuticals have entered into a collaboration to develop a novel class of compounds for the treatment of allergic asthma and other respiratory diseases that continue to see cases rising in Europe and the US.
Acquisitions position MorphoSys within top 5
German biotechnology company MorphoSys' acquisition of two Biogenesis antibody technology companies elevates it to one of the largest European suppliers of antibodies to the life sciences research community.
Oncogene identified as viable drug target
The identification of an oncogene, which is associated with cancers such as leukaemia, could lead to the development of targeted molecular therapeutics, controlling cancer development through regulation of the errant gene.
20-Jan-2005
Pathway discovery leads to liver drug treatment?
A new study has revealed the pathway in the learning impairment caused by liver disease may lead to a drug treatment that would restore learning ability and provide a viable alternative to Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra.
19-Jan-2005
MBO agreed for Pharmaceutical Profiles
Early phase drug development specialist Pharmaceutical Profiles has a new management team following a £10 million buy-out.
Nucleic acid drug market to reach €161bn?
A new report identifies the nucleic acid (NA) therapeutic market to reach over $210 billion (€161bn), illustrating a solid and potentially very profitable approach to treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular conditions, reports Wai Lang Chu.
Cambrex licenses drug R&D cell lines
Drug discovery company Cambrex' intention to enter a key segment of the drug discovery arena was substantiated by its purchase of immortalised cell lines, related technology and equipment.
Applied Bio introduces superfast PCR system
Applied Biosystems has launched a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system that allows real-time PCR runs to proceed three times faster. The system's quantitative results are available immediately without gel runs, purifying PCR products, or performing any post-PCR manipulation.
17-Jan-2005
ibidi launches µ-Slides for live-cell-imaging
German BioMicroscopy supplier ibidi GmbH has launched a range of "Lab-on-a-Slide" micro-slides (µ-Slides) that can be used for cell analysis and biomolecules. The slides allow cell culturing and high-resolution microscopy to be performed on the same slide for cell-based assay procedures in research and high throughput applications.
Qproteome kits ease protein research
A current trend towards systems biology and analysis and interactions of proteins and nucleic acids has led Qiagen to introduce a method that reduces the complexity of proteomics samples. Currently, researchers use primarily home brew methods, which suffer from decreased sensitivity and unreliability.
GeneGo launches MetaDrug for systems
GeneGo has launched an ADME/Tox platform which combines software for predicting metabolites and over 40 ADME/Tox properties properties with visualization and analysis of toxicogenomics and metabolomics data.
Amgen adds anaemia drug warning
The pharmaceutical industry took further damage to its reputation after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and healthcare professionals were warned of the anaemia drug Aranesp, after studies on similar drugs showed higher doses can cause blood clots and even death.
Parkinson's website improves data access
Scientists researching pharmaceutical treatments for Parkinson's disease are invited to submit study information to a new patient website, which is intended to improve access to information on Parkinson's clinical trials, speeding up the process of developing an effective drug therapy.
14-Jan-2005
Applied Biosystems introduces new mass spectrometer
Applied Biosystems launches the latest addition to its API family of triple quadrupole analysers that aims to add to the sensitivity and accuracy of mass spectrometry for small molecule quantification, essential for DMPK and ADMET studies.
FDA clears MRSA detection test
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given clearance to a new product, which simplifies the process, offers improved specificity and decreases the time to result in the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) identification.
deCODE submits first-in-class anti-atherosclerosis compound
Scandinavian biopharmaceutical company deCode Genetics intends to initiate a Phase I clinical trial of the first-in-class treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) which represents a promising therapeutic approach to a disease affecting over 10 per cent of the adult population.
Study reveals how cancer-causing protein activates
Researchers have shed new light on the activation of a protein key to the development of cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States.
13-Jan-2005
Qiagen launches protein sample preparation kits
Qiagen has announced a new product line for the separation, purification and handling of nucleic acids, an essential process in drug discovery, which aims to improve over current applied methods, which suffer from decreased sensitivity and unreliability.
12-Jan-2005
Molecular Devices introduces FA uptake assay
Molecular Devices Corporation has announced the launch of the first assay kit that addresses the need for a single step, homogenous in vitro assay for fatty acid uptake for use in the identification of potential new drugs via high-throughput screening.
GSK forms asthma alliance with Galapagos
Drug giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Galapagos have entered into a target identification collaboration identifying viable drug targets in the area of respiratory and inflammatory diseases.
New TB approach heralds new treatment
Researchers have uncovered a novel treatment that could prove to be effective against tuberculosis (TB), a disease that has made a comeback due to the emergence of resistant strains of the offending bacterium and the spread of AIDS.
Novartis impresses with 2005 product pipeline
A report out today cites Novartis' pipeline of drugs to continue its reputation of producing quality pharmaceuticals, with treatments for cancer, age-related macular degeneration and hypertension expected to appear within the next three years.
Cymbalta gets Europe go-ahead
A revolutionary new treatment for depression has been granted marketing authorisation by the European Commission. The new therapy is said to be able to treat the full spectrum of depressive symptoms.
10-Jan-2005
Paradigm acquires Amedis to accelerate drug discovery
Paradigm Therapeutics has announced it has completed the acquisition of Amedis Pharmaceuticals with the aim of identifying highly druggable targets and novel compounds for conditions in the areas of CNS, pain, endocrinology and metabolism.
Agilent Technologies announces microarray platform expansion
A hive of activity at Agilent Technologies has trnsformed the company into a significant player in the competitive microarray platform market with the expansion of its array-based genomics, disease research and drug R&D applications.
Antisoma acquires cancer company Aptamera
UK cancer specialist Antisoma has entered into an agreement to acquire Aptamera in an £11.5 million (€16.5 million) deal, which aims to pioneer a new drug therapy in the emerging new area of anticancer aptamers.
Will FDA's axe fall on COX-2s?
A new report suggests that recent safety concerns over certain blockbuster drugs, notably Merck's Vioxx (rofecoxib) and Pfizer's Celebrex (celecoxib), has placed the COX-2 inhibitor drug class under intense scrutiny and places the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under intense pressure to act.
Vivascience IPO shelved once again
Germany's Sartorius has decided to call off the initial public offering of Vivascience, which makes products for the analysis and purification of proteins.
07-Jan-2005
Drug firms to publish all trial data
In response to accusations of a cover up over negative data and placing patient safety at risk, pharmaceutical companies worldwide have agreed to reveal the results of clinical trial drug data.
Sirna launches RNAi asthma program
RNA interference (RNAi) technology took a major leap forward after Sirna Therapeutics initiated the first program that uses RNAi to treat asthma, a condition that costs an estimated $13 billion (€9.8 billion) in healthcare costs in the US.
Iressa failure adds to AstraZeneca's woes
AstraZeneca's troubles continued to add up after the company announced the application withdrawal of Iressa after it failed to show any significant survival benefit for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The move places question marks over Iressa's future in the US.
CytoGenix discovers Staph killing sequence
Researchers have identified and tested an anti-sense oligonucleotide sequence that will kill strains of Methicillin Resistant (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant (VRSA) Staphylococcus aureus, which continue to cause a serious public health problem.
FDA fast tracks first-in-class HIV drug
The need for an effective HIV drug became apparent as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to the first in a new class of HIV drugs called Maturation Inhibitors.
05-Jan-2005
NSAIDs linked to small intestine damage
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects than has been thought, according to the results of a small study, reports Wai Lang Chu.
New target identified in osteoarthritis
Using naturally occurring mutant mice with a defective collagen gene, scientists at Harvard have identified a signalling molecule involved in osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of disability among the elderly.
Crucell strengthens PER.C6 DSM deal
Crucell and DSM have announced the expansion of its original agreement, building on existing work achieved in the PER.C6 Protein and Monoclonal Antibody Licensing Business.
Tufts publishes Outlook document for 2005
Drug companies can significantly increase the flow of new prescription drugs, while maintaining patient safety, if they adopt more innovative R&D strategies aimed at improving clinical success rates and lowering clinical study costs, according to the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development.
Green fluorescent protein reagent improved
Researchers in the US have developed a fluorescent tag for proteins - based on a fragment of green fluorescent protein (GFP) - that can penetrate cells and so be used to detect proteins in living cells and cell lysates.
03-Jan-2005
Whatman cuts staff post S&S merger
UK-based separations specialist Whatman has fleshed out its plans in the wake of the acquisition of Schleicher & Schuell, and says it plans to cut 13 per cent of its workforce after 2004 sales disappointed.
UCB hikes R&D budget for 2005
In the wake of its £1.53 billion acquisition of UK biotechnology company Celltech, Belgium's UCB has disclosed a near 60 per cent hike in R&D funding for 2005.
Swedish teams propose vaccines against heart disease
Researchers in Sweden have voiced the intriguing notion that a course of vaccinations in childhood might help protect people from heart disease later in life.
$7m milestone rounds off good 2004 for RNAi firm
RNA interference specialist Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has made progress in its collaboration with US pharma major Merck & Co, with the latter making a $7 million milestone payment as a result.
Fast-track to protein function with new database
A new Internet-based platform promises to speed up the process of ascribing functions to proteins discovered as a result of genome research.
Tripos to buy informatics specialist
Informatics company Tripos has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Optive Research, which develops software for computer-assisted molecular discovery.
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