Breaking News on Drug Discovery
All news articles > April 2006
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27-Apr-2006
Overcoming drug development challenges
The number of new drug submissions has halved since 1995, while at the same time, pharma companies are spending three times as much money on R&D - a hole this industry needs to dig itself out of, and fast.
New cancer drug to fight bird flu?
A new drug currently being trialed in the US to treat cancer could also be used to fight bird flu, according to researchers.
Merck steps up RNA productivity
Merck Research Laboratories has recruited Cerionx for one year to improve the efficiency of siRNA assay runs in its Philadelphia-based drug discovery labs.
Endocyte using folate to kill cancer
Endocyte has started a Phase I clinical trial on the first of a new class of folate-targeted anti-cancer drugs coming through its pipeline for recurrent or refractory solid tumours.
Natural Pharmatech enters Japan en-route to the US
China-based Natural Pharmatech has formed its first research contract with a Japanese company, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical - another step forward in Natural Pharmatech's plans to bring its botanical R&D services to the global stage.
26-Apr-2006
Thermo finds right blend
Thermo has unveiled a new blend measurement solution for the real-time analysis of pharmaceutical blending processes in solid dosage form manufacturing which can be easily moved from blender to blender and used on any size pharmaceutical blender bin, from laboratory scale to production scale.
CEL-SCI joins with US Navy to sink Malaria
The US Navy has extended an existing deal with Austrian biotech company CEL-SCI to further investigate the company's novel drug compound, CEL-1000, that could offer 100 per cent protection against Malaria.
Chronic illnesses offer blockbuster opportunities
Chronic diseases account for 70 per cent of the healthcare budget in the UK alone. New drugs in unment chronic disease areas offer real blockbuster potential for companies willing to take on the challenge.
Guava Tech rolls out first of new antibody reagent lines
Guava Technologies has unveiled a new line of antibody reagents designed to identify subsets of haematopoetic-derived cells by their patterns of protein expression.
MDS secures multiple myeloma deal
A deal has been finalised making MDS Pharma Services the preferred contract research organization (CRO) of the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) in the US, with further opportunities in Europe to follow.
24-Apr-2006
Polymer Labs keeps its cool
Polymer Laboratories have launched a new Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) that it claims will improve the analysis of pharmaceutical compounds at low temperatures.
Iron-metabolising enzyme key to Kaposi therapy
Scientists think that their latest discovery could result in the production of new drugs to treat Kaposi sarcoma tumour growth, which is the most frequent tumour in AIDS patients and is caused by infection of the patients with the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus.
Target-seeking molecule offers cancer treatment options
A target-seeking molecule that can be used to visualise and treat cancer tumours is set to improve detection and treatment of the killer disease, which is a lot more successful if therapy begins at an earlier stage.
Schizophrenia gene function offers hope for drug R&D
An AstraZeneca collaboration has identified the location of a schizophrenia gene that is set to offer hope for more effective drugs. The gene appears to affect the production of myelin, the material that insulates nerve fibres.
Reaxa's prices down thanks to scale-up
British catalyst technologies firm Reaxa has slashed the prices of its encapsulated catalysts by two-thirds following increased demand for production scale quantities in pharma applications.
20-Apr-2006
Scientists uncover gene mutation key to cholesterol control
Researchers think they have found a gene, which when disrupted interferes with the ability to absorb lipids through the intestine. The discovery has added to new insights into mechanisms behind lipid and cholesterol processing, and in turn, the potential development of new cholesterol controlling drugs.
Public given voice to support animal research
A pioneering website has been set up that enables members of the UK public to express their support for medical research that uses animals as subjects.
Bertin launches sample preparation product
Bertin Technologies makes available its solution for biological sample preparation to extract nucleic acids (DNA & RNA), and proteins - a crucial process in drug discovery and development as well as having implications in the pharmacology and toxicology sector.
Discovery sheds contract services
Discovery Partners International is offloading its unprofitable contract drug discovery operations and merging with Infinity Pharmaceuticals to create a new public company focused on cancer drug discovery and development.
Smithers Group adds to stable with Rapra purchase
US-based contract research organisation The Smithers Group, announced the acquisiton of UK company Rapra Technology in a deal that seals the fate of Rapra, which was forced into Administration last month.
18-Apr-2006
Scientists develop technique to target brain tumour growth
A team of researchers have developed a strategy in which genes linked to cancer mutations could easily be identified aiding predictions as to which patient will respond favourably to novel drug treatments.
Stem cell use set to rise despite objections
Despite lingering ethical, legal and social concerns, the application of stem cell research in drug discovery and development is set to play a greater role as areas of unmet medical needs will need to be addressed as rates of incidence continue to rise.
ESA Biosciences' HPLC detector optimised for polymer analysis
ESA Biosciences make available its HPLC detection tool that is designed for laboratories that use THF (tetrahydrofuran) as a component in chromatographic separations and sample analyses.
Dowpharma signs fourth deal for Pfenex technology
Contract manufacturing services provider Dowpharma, has signed a collaboration agreement for its Pfenex Expression Technology, its fourth agreement in 1Q 2006, signifying the technology's popularity in developing new vaccines and biotherapeutics products.
Reata completes new anti-inflammatory drugs agreement
The possibility of a new class of anti-inflammatory compounds that exhibit broad action across multiple therapeutic sites could be on the horizon after Reata announced the completion of a license agreement for these drug candidates that are currently undergoing preclinical development.
13-Apr-2006
Sigma-Aldrich launches biological pathway tool
Sigma-Aldrich launches an online tool consisting of data detailing biological pathways that provides an online resource to those in the drug industry interested in first-in-class range, including small molecules, antibodies, enzymes, QPCR components and siRNA is for gene knockdown.
Olympus introduces next dimension in screening
Olympus launches its latest screening station for the life science industry, in which the design aims to combine the modularity and flexibility of a microscope-based set-up with the automation and throughput of screening applications.
OGeS and Oxford Uni develop colorectal cancer biomarkers
Outsourcing outfit, Oxford Genome Sciences and the University of Oxford have announced the development of new clinical biomarkers for colorectal cancer, which paves the way for a more personalised approach in treating this killer disease.
New drug hope in the fight against viruses
Scientists have made a remarkable discovery that could open up new avenues in drug development resulting in novel therapies for the treatment of poxviruses such as variola virus, the cause of smallpox.
Ablynx and P&G extend Nanobody deal
Ablynx and Procter and Gamble have announced the extension of its Nanobody drug discovery and development agreement to metabolic targets in a move that reinforces the feeling within the industry regarding Nanobody technology and its potential.
11-Apr-2006
Olympus unveils next-gen in vivo imaging system
Olympus has unveiled a working concept of what is claimed is the next generation in fluorescence in vivo imaging systems by enabling time-lapse and live imaging of emitted light from labelled processes and tissues.
Drug firms 'invent disease' to boost profits
A new report has accused pharmaceutical companies of hyping up diseases in an attempt to sell more drugs and boost profits.
Melbourn Scientific undergo major expansion plans
Melbourn Scientific, report an eventful month in which the expansion of its range of services has resulted in the purchase of new premises, as well as meeting requirements of good manufacturing practice that regulate the manufacture and testing of investigational medicinal products.
Beckman's latest antibody aids cancer research
Beckman Coulter launches its latest monoclonal antibody that identifies Tolereogenic cells making it highly in transplant and cancer research. It is also applicable in clinical research on autoimmunity.
VASTox initiates fifth drug discovery cancer programme
VASTox has initiated a fifth drug discovery programme for cancer focusing on a crucial pathway that is active in the developing embryo when cells are required to constantly grow and differentiate. The pathway has been identified as a viable drug target.
06-Apr-2006
Tapestry data supports oral bioavailability of cancer compound
Tapestry has presented data that supports the oral bioavailability and antitumour activity of its drug candidate designed to overcome multi-drug resistance in solid tumours that have become resistant to taxane therapy.
Wyatt releases powerful light scattering detector
Wyatt Technology launches its newest addition to its Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Detector range, boasting twice the signal to noise ratio and 100x the dynamic range of previous Wyatt's miniDAWN instruments.
UK regulator's suitability to investigate Parexel questioned
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said it has so far found no evidence of wrongdoing in the human trials of the monoclonal antibody TGN1412, which US contract research firm Parexel carried out for German TeGenero, yet the agency's authority to carry out this investigation is undermined by a British parliamentary select committee report, published last year, which highlights flaws in the regulator that may have contributed to the disaster.
Eden's cGMP services recruited into Onyvax's cancer program
Eden Biodesign and Onyvax have announced the formation of a unique biomanufacturing contract, in which the Onyvax's development of novel cancer therapies will be supported by Eden's cGMP clinical manufacturing services.
Biotech industry close to net profit
For the first time in its 30-year history, the biotechnology industry in 2005 surpassed $60bn (€49bn) in revenues according to Ernst & Young's 2006 Global Biotechnology Report, an astounding growth considering that in 1996 industry revenues amounted to $9.1bn, which shows that thanks to strong sales, new products and mergers, the long-elusive goal of profitability for biotech firms is quickly approaching.
03-Apr-2006
Report pinpoints education as key to assay uptake
A new report out today has revealed that the uptake of assays for in-vitro diagnostics is being hindered due to a lack of knowledge of this technology, in which its high sensitivity, specificity and fast turn-around times has proved a revelation within the pharma industry.
Scientists reveal new colorectal cancer mechanism
Scientists in the US have found out how the enzyme helps initiate the process that leads to colorectal cancer. Their discovery of a new molecular mechanism by which an enzyme promotes cancer spread may provide a new target at which to aim anti-metastasis drugs.
Light therapy put forward as alternative MRSA treatment
A leading scientist believes that cosmetic considerations and a lack of patent opportunities is stopping the pharmaceutical industry from investing in the development of a new therapy proven to be effective in the treatment of MRSA.
Discovery suggests new inflammation treatment approach
Scientists have made a breakthrough in their research that may change the way inflammatory conditions are treated by focusing on certain nerve cell receptors in the brain that control inflammation in the body.
Nastech's results demonstrate RNAi potency for flu
Nastech Pharmaceuticals presents data demonstrating the effectiveness of its small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics to target and inhibit influenza viral production, which is certain to have useful applications against current and future influenza strains.
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