Breaking News on Drug Discovery

AstraZeneca's R&D investment in China 'the largest yet'

In what it claims is the largest investment to date by any multinational drug company in China, AstraZeneca will spend $100m (€77.6m) on research and development in the country over the next three years, targeting primarily the domestic market.

Sigma-Aldrich introduces signal transduction protein array

Sigma-Aldrich introduces its signal transduction protein array for high-throughput functional screening, which is set to play a major role in identifying proteins that are involved in cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

Opportunities in gastrointestinal R&D

The gastrointestinal (GI) market is one of the largest in the pharma industry and continues to attract a high level of R&D investment, however, the market has recently entered a crucial phase, with mounting commercial pressures causing drug developers to reconsider strategies.

Microbia presents drug to treat constipation

Microbia has presented clinical data that shows its first-in-class drug for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and chronic constipation (CC), demonstrated promising pharmacodynamic effects.

New drug screening technique to benefit pharma

A new drug discovery approach, which essentially reverses the process of drug compound screening promises a increased efficiency in drug discovery whilst keeping costs down to a minimum.

Cisbio introduces GPCR-based target assay

Cisbio has introduced its second IP-One assay, which can be used by all laboratories focused on GPCR-based targets of which 45 per cent of currently marketed drugs owe their efficacy to.

Accium and Quintiles utilise AMS to provide unique services

Accium BioSciences and Quintiles Transnational has established an agreement, which intends to offer turnkey Exploratory-IND, Microdosing and Information-Rich Phase I clinical trials services to biopharmaceutical researchers.

EU CNS market to benefit from unmet clinical need

According to a new report, the European central nervous system therapeutic market is set to capitalise on an ageing population, a high level of unmet clinical need and increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, growing to $31.31bn (€24.4 bn) by 2012.

CAT profits attributed to arthritis royalties

Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) posted a first-half profit for the year that was attributed to royalty payments for its Humira rheumatoid arthritis drug.

GE Healthcare and MDS Pharma launch cell genotoxicity predictor

General Electric and MDS Pharma Services announced today the availability of a new, automated in vitro micronucleus assay that will form part of a broad panel of drug discovery safety assessments offered by MDS Pharma Services pharmacology division.

Abraxis BioScience adds facility to investigate SPARC

Abraxis Bioscience has added a research facility to expand the company's research and process development capabilities that use the company's nab technology platform, which identifies new chemical entities and exploitation of the SPARC pathway and its role in cancer.

Laureate Pharma wins Seattles Genetics contract

Contract biomanufacturing firm Laureate has won a contract to produce Seattle Genetics' humanised monoclonal antibody product candidates for clinical trial, adding to its experience in monoclonal antibody development.

Perbio launches new drug discovery product

Perbio Science launches its latest drug discovery product, which employs a new dialysis method in plasma protein binding determination.

Biophage completes Immunotoxicity division restructuring

Biophage has completed the final phase of its CRO business restructuring in preparation to meet the expected demand in immunotoxicity testing, in which its requirement stems from increasing legislation that calls for stricter standards.

New human trial registration announced by WHO

The World Health Organisation is calling for greater transparency in clinical trials by announcing new registration standards for all medical research involving humans.

Team exploration investigates marine-derived drug possibility

A team of drug researchers are exploring the possibility of extracting chemical compounds from marine organisms that live in deep-sea reefs, which have the potential to treat human diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

Data demonstrates benefits mixed-mode sorbents in chromatography

A new drug discovery technique, which uses mixed-mode sorbents in process chromatography, has the potential to significantly reduce costs and environmental burdens, especially in the protein purification process.

New tumour suppressor action forms basis of chemo alternatives

US scientists have uncovered a mechanism of action that explains how cells respond to DNA damage and other stresses that if disrupted can cause cancer. The discovery could lead to new diagnostic markers and cancer treatments with fewer side effects.

Going for gold could improve antisense cancer drugs

US scientists have discovered a way to improve the effectiveness of antisense cancer drugs that involve using gold nanoparticles, which when combined with DNA, outperform conventional antisense agents.

Merck produces first-in-class antibiotic to fight MRSA

Researchers, who believe they have discovered only the third entirely new antibiotic developed in the last four decades, have developed an antibiotic, which targets microorganisms that include MRSA.

Neotropix receives FDA approval for cancer trials

A potential therapy, which specifically targets cancer cells, could be in the offering after Neotropix received FDA approval to begin clinical trials of a drug candidate that offers new drug treatment hope for advanced cancers.

Pharsight awarded patent on drug model graphical method

Software provider Pharsight, has been awarded a patent on its graphical method for creating drug models, in a technique that supports more intuitive PK/PD modelling and higher modelling productivity.

DrugResearcher animal rights series

Oxford Uni request injunction to curb protests

Oxford University has made another trip to the High Court with the intention of further limiting the number of animal rights protests, which the institution claim is responsible for an increase in criminal damage and staff intimidation.

Novel lab technique promotes RNAi technology

A novel lab technique, which involves RNA interference to silence genes in immune cells, is set to provide biology researchers broader access to RNA interference, especially for scientists doing research in immunology.

Berthold Technologies update products at Analytica

Berthold Technologies used Analytica to showcase its innovative new instruments that will open up new opportunities for users in bioimedical and pharmaceutical research.

DrugResearcher animal rights series

UK PM bold in backing animal experimentation

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has made the unprecedented step of pledging his personal support for animal testing, provoking an angry reaction from anti-vivisectionists.

deCODE forms alliance to expand outsourcing services

deCODE and Illumina have entered an agreement to develop and commercialise DNA-based diagnostics, in which deCODE will use Illumina's SNP genotyping platform to expand its contract genotyping business.

Top honours for DrugResearcher's sister site

DrugResearcher's sister site which covers the nutraceuticals industry, NutraIngredients.com, has been named Website of the Year in the prestigious 2006 Business Food and Drink Journalism Awards.

GlycoFi proves a sweet temptation for Merck

Looking to make protein-based drugs faster and cheaper, Merck has acquired biotechnology company GlycoFi for approximately $400m (€312m) in cash.

SAFC launches improved insulin alternative

SAFC Biosciences has unveiled an analogue of insulin specifically designed for the large-scale manufacturing of recombinant biopharmaceuticals, promising security of supply and product consistency.

A generalised fit more beneficial to drug design

A new study has suggested a new approach to drug design, which recommends that a loose fit may be the best fit especially when producing drugs for thyroid related conditions.

New findings strengthen RNAi cancer fight

Scientists at Atugen, a German-based firm, have successfully used a new RNA interference (RNAi) technology to reduce tumour growth and spread, according to new research published.

Nikon releases first three-laser entry-level microscope

Nikon launches a new three-laser entry-level confocal microscope, which builds on the technology of its entry-level system, which meets the growing popularity of confocal imaging in research applications.

HIV And SARS reveal their secrets to drug researchers

European researchers have unlocked more secrets of how the HIV and SARS virus operates, which if exploited could be the starting point for a host of effective antiviral drugs that combat the virus' mechanism of action.

DrugResearcher animal rights series

High Court grants injunction to GSK shareholders

The High Court in the UK has granted an injunction to protect GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) shareholders against the recent threat posed by animal extremists, who contacted investors by mail warning them to sell their shares in the company.

Scientists reveal sugar's role in cell communication

A research team think that they have discovered a new mechanism that details the role of sugar in cell communication, which paves the way for the development of drugs for cancer and rheumatism.

Agilent deliver new additions in HPLC

Agilent has launched a new line of HPLC columns, which is set to deliver industry-leading separation performance for analytical, high-resolution and fast LC applications, including pharmaceutical, QA/QC, environmental and food-safety analysis.

Clinical outsourcing drags big pharma out of doldrums

According to a new study, efforts to increase R&D pipeline productivity have never been more aggressive, with clinical outsourcing being one strategy employed by big pharma to lift itself out of the doldrums.

Falling innovation levels fuel pharma/biotech collaborations

A new report suggests the increasing number of collaboration between pharmaceutical and biotech companies is fuelled by a steep decline in innovation levels as well as the growing threat from generics and drug recalls.

DrugResearcher animal rights series

Animal right extremists target GSK investors

Animal rights activists have continued their campaign of intimidation after it was revealed the GlaxoSmithkline (GSK) shareholders were sent letters demanding they sell any shares held within the company.

New method promotes pharmacogenomic benefits

A new genetic research method has revealed interesting insights into drug metabolism, which could lead to a better understanding drug selection and dosing regimens in humans.

Thermo becomes Fisher king in $10.6 billion deal

Thermo Electron is set to become the biggest supplier of laboratory equipment and services after it paid $10.6bn to acquire Fisher Scientific International in a deal that extends Thermo's presence in the life, laboratory and health sciences industry.

MesoPhotonics develops first all-in-one SERS toolkit

The first all-in-one SERS toolkit designed for trace level molecular analysis has debuted at Analytica, which provides analytical chemists with an affordable, all-in-one solution for the development of trace level analysis applications.

Deal thinks overlooked drug candidates ideal for development

A new initiative that could see the world's major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies team up with a major cancer organisation to research and develop new anti-cancer drugs has been unveiled.

CyBio displays liquid handling kit at Analytica

CyBio presents its new liquid handling platform and pipetting system at Analytica in Munich, which aims to meet customer needs in drug discovery processes that require precision and accuracy when handling fluid materials.

Mice tests reveal scope for diabetes cure

Scientists believe they have made a major breakthrough in a potential cure for diabetes after animal experiments using a combinatorial treatment approach reversed onset type 1 diabetes.

G-protein modification key to better drug efficacy

A new study holds much promise for a new approach to drug therapy after researchers have revealed details of a mechanism that actually modifies the effect of a major drug class.

PPD's PDL biomarker deal points to wider trend

PPD has announced it has signed an agreement with PDL BioPharma in which the contract research organisation is to perform comprehensive molecular profiling to discover biomarkers.

Analytica visitors focus on Leica offerings

Leica Microsystems were active at the recent Analytica show in Germany as it presented its microscopy and imaging system solutions for research and industry.

Ilypsa completes trial into next-gen nonabsorbed polymeric drug

Ilypsa has completed the first stage of its novel phosphate-binding agent designed to treat hyperphosphatemia, as the company plough forward with its pioneering research into next-generation nonabsorbed polymeric drugs for renal and metabolic disorders.

Bruker BioSpin sets record with 950 MHz magnet

Bruker BioSpin has launched the world's highest field actively shielded NMR magnet at 950 MHz, which allows higher sensitivity and unrivalled spectral dispersion whilst maintaining same size cryostat and identical cryogenic performance as the 900 US2.

Perbio Science launches drug discovery products at Analytica.

Perbio Science took the opportunity to provide a company update at this year's Analytica show in Munich with details of new product launches for drug discovery.

Covance beefs up early-phase development capacity

Covance has made a major expansion in its US Phase I/IIa drug development capabilities, buying eight early-phase clinical development sites from Radiant Research, who now plans to focus on its Phase II-IV business.

Greiner Bio-One presents its cell culture AutoFlask

Greiner Bio-One presents its cell culture AutoFlask at the Analytica show, which uses a robot accessible entry septum that prevents coring by pipette tips and ensures sterility of the flask contents throughout solution exchanges.