Breaking News on Drug Discovery
All news articles > September 2006
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29-Sep-2006
Researchers solve flesh-eating bacteria's success
Researchers think they have found an explanation as to why "flesh-eating" bacteria are so resistant to antibiotic treatment, which could contribute to new strategies for treating necrotizing fasciitis, halting its rapid destruction of tissue.
Illumina introduce world's first multi-sample genome arrays
Illumina has made available the world's first multi-sample whole-genome genotyping arrays that allow researchers to analyse two samples simultaneously - useful when studying genetic variation in disease in greater detail.
Virtual model edges out traditional drug development model
Several drug development companies are implementing leaner business models, outsourcing nearly all stages of the drug development process in response to escalating development costs in a move that is proving increasingly popular within the industry.
28-Sep-2006
Self-regulation required while India's clinical regulatory body matures
As India's clinical regulatory authorities find their feet, the clinical trials industry must practice self-regulation to maintain global standards.
Tandem Labs acquires PharmaKD to expand its services
Targeting the market for drug metabolite identification and biomarker discovery, Tandem Labs has acquired PharmaKD, a Massachussets-based division of Linden Technologies.
US contract manufacturer unveils $17.5m expansion
US contract pharmaceutical manufacturer Metrics has announced a $17.5m (€13.7m) investment to double the size of its drug testing and manufacturing plant over the next three years.
27-Sep-2006
Drug enters Phase I to test MRSA efficacy
Novexel has announced it is to put forward its novel small molecule antibiotic into Phase I clinical development representing a new class of antibacterials to treat hospital-based infections caused by gram positive pathogens.
Protein centred on for diabetes drug development
Scientists have isolated a single protein that has a key role in diabetes development, which could form the basis for new drug therapies that could effectively treat a disease that has become endemic.
CRO contribution proves essential in cutting R&D costs
With the cost of drug development expected to reach $1.9bn (€1.5bn) by 2013, the pressure is on to reduce R&D development time and cost without sacrificing clinical success rate.
Nastech awarded another grant to develop bird-flu drug
Nastech Pharmaceutical Company has received a new $1.9m (€1.5m) research grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further develop its RNAi therapeutics to fight and prevent bird-flu.
UK launches nanotechnology reporting scheme to "assess risks"
UK research organisations, biopharmaceutical and food manufacturers, along with those in other industries are been asked to voluntarily provide any information on nanotechnologies they are working on, under a programme launched this week.
26-Sep-2006
Thermo launches first electronic pipette with backlit display
Analytical instrument maker Thermo Electron has announced the introduction of the world's first electronic pipette with a backlit display to improve lab manual pipetting.
Models of early phase research management - pros and cons
When it comes to managing an early phase research and clinical development programme, drug companies have three choices - each with their own pros and cons.
25-Sep-2006
CRO's drug R&D contribution never been more significant
Contract Research Organisations' (CROs) contribution to drug development has never been more crucial with faster development, earlier decisions on project failures, and higher approval success rates becoming the norm amongst outsourcing partnerships.
Scientists isolate telomerase as cancer drug target
Researchers have isolated two proteins, which are involved in stopping a gene from producing a protein that is essential for cancer cell proliferation. The gene could form the basis for an anti-cancer agent that targets this mechanism.
Mirus Bio announces new RNAi tool to analyse gene function
Mirus Bio has made available a new RNAi tool that analyses gene function in vivo that allows scientists to study the biological and physiological impact of a change in gene expression, which is useful in the identification of new therapeutic drug targets.
22-Sep-2006
ChemBridge enters into alliance with AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca has entered into an agreement with two Contract Research Organisations (CROs) with the intention of expanding AstraZeneca's small molecule libraries and enhancing its global drug discovery offerings.
Indian clinical trials "of no more ethical risk than in US"
Conducting clinical trials in India poses no additional ethical risk to patients than trials conducted in the Western World, says an industry veteran.
Enzyme shape changes could redefine drug R&D approach
A key study performed by US scientists has uncovered detailed structural changes, which a catalytic enzyme undergoes in order to carry out its biological function. The findings challenge traditional hypothesis and may aid in future drug design.
Avidia starts new first-in-class study for Crohn's
Avidia has initiated a clinical trial for the novel inhibitor of a protein for Crohn's disease as a potential treatment that belongs to a new class of therapeutic proteins known as Avimer proteins.
Merck acquires Serono for €10.4bn
German drug manufacturer, Merck has acquired the Swiss biotech company Serono in a deal worth SFr16.6bn (€10.4bn) that has taken the industry by surprise and could signal the start of considerable consolidation for big pharma.
20-Sep-2006
Researchers discover dual-role of protein in cancer
Researchers have isolated a protein that appears to encourage cell movement when tumours begin to spread to other parts of the body opening up the way for a drug that could block the beginning of this dangerous process, or stop it once it starts.
CEO suggests HCS usage will gain momentum
According to a senior figure in the outsourcing industry, high content screening (HCS) is set to overtake current methods as the preferred technique of generating hits with the greatest interest coming from the oncology sector.
Pfizer and TransTech enter deal that's all the RAGE
Pfizer has revealed details of its new agreement with Transtech Pharma in which the two companies will focus on the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) with potential for use in treating Alzheimer's disease.
India's clinical research industry still waiting to happen
While quickly gaining momentum, India's much hyped clinical research industry is still yet to take off.
IT outsourcing bucking pharma industry trend
Most drug companies are not planning to increase the level of sales and marketing IT they outsource over the next 3-5 years - a sign that this niche segment may be bucking the wider pharmaceutical industry outsourcing trend.
18-Sep-2006
Zeiss' microscope introduces three worldwide firsts
Zeiss has introduced its system to visualise the processes that occur at the cell membrane by delivering technology that delivers three unique features previously unseen on similar machines.
BMS says outsourcing is 'a strategic function asset'
Outsourcing has become so paramount in a pharmaceutical's infrastructure and drug discovery strategy that it can no longer be considered an option, according to a Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) senior scientist.
Diagnostic marker may indicate cancer drug efficacy
Researchers have identified a diagnostic marker that they think could prove useful in gauging the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic drugs marking the first time that biomarkers have been defined for this drug class.
Akubio launches acoustic detection technology for drug discovery
Akubio launches its pioneering acoustic detection technology for analysis of biomolecular interactions, which has been optimised for protein-protein interaction analysis that forms a crucial part of drug development.
Coalition urges action now to manage diabetes
Diabetes experts have warned that urgent action needs to be taken to drastically improve the management of diabetes to prevent a potentially devastating and costly global burden.
15-Sep-2006
CROs to benefit from new trial analysis technique
Contract Research Organisations (CRO) involved in clinical trial services may benefit from a new technique that allows researchers to statistically analyse results of clinical trials.
New method identifies early stages of breast cancer
A new technique, which detects metastasis of breast cancer earlier than current methods has been developed by scientists who believe early diagnosis will allow a personalised approach to breast cancer therapy.
Sieve advances protein separation and drug development
A new technology promises to speed up the categorisation of proteins, reducing the time consuming and laborious process whilst aiding in the detection and treatment of disease.
14-Sep-2006
Xceleron moves in on $1bn US testing market
Drug testing services provider Xceleron has set up new facilities in the US after regulations recently introduced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are setting this industry sector ablaze.
13-Sep-2006
Split within Amphora leads to specialised services
Drug development company Amphora Discovery has announced it is to split the company into two stand-alone business units - a pharmaceutical development firm in California and a contract research organisation in Durham.
Ocean Optics launches low cost spectrometer
Ocean Optics introduces its new spectrometer, which combines low-cost with a small footprint that is designed for the budget conscious teaching and research labs.
The future's bright, the future's genomics, says drug CEO
According to the CEO and Chairman of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the biomedical breakthroughs that are occurring within the industry are transforming medicine and promise to ease the challenges facing an aging population.
Discovery could halt antibiotic resistant spread
Researchers think that they have developed an effective tactic, which aims to stop the spread of bacterial infections that have become resistant to antibiotic treatment paving the way for future therapies.
12-Sep-2006
GSK signs a $1.5bn deal with ChemoCentryx
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has formed a partnership with ChemoCentryx worth $1.5bn (€1.2bn) which will provide the company with access to selected targets from one of the broadest pipelines of chemokine-based therapeutics in the biotech industry.
Synexus India is off and running
After opening its doors in India in April, UK-based Synexus Clinical Research is off and running with its first two clinical trials in the region.
11-Sep-2006
TB strain identified as 'virtually untreatable'
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed details of a 'super strain' of tuberculosis, which is not only resistant to first choice treatment drugs, but also three or more of the six classes of second-line drugs.
Cranberry juice compounds provide UTI treatment alternative
Compounds in cranberry juice may provide a viable alternative to antibiotics that treat urinary tract infections (UTI's) especially for combating E. coli bacteria that have become resistant to conventional treatment.
MVA-based smallpox vaccine plant cleared for production
Danish biopharmaceutical firm Bavarian Nordic has received approval from Denmark's government to begin large-scale commercial production of smallpox vaccine based on its Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus strain which demonstrates superior safety.
08-Sep-2006
New drug class encouraging in cancer treatment
A new drug class for the treatment of cancer has been hailed as a breakthrough by researchers in Denmark, who believe that patients with advanced breast cancer could stand to gain the most benefit from this new treatment.
R&D outsourcing dominated by pharma and biotech
A survey has revealed that the pharmaceutical and biotech industry are currently dominating the outsourcing scene in Europe, accounting for a quarter of all sub-contracting activity within the EU.
Invitrogen introduces new transfection reagent product
Invitrogen has introduced a new product into its line of transfection reagents, which the company claim will improve DNA delivery and lower toxicity.
07-Sep-2006
Asia fuelling drug discovery outsourcing
The rapidly growing market for drug discovery outsourcing services will increase 15 per cent to reach $7bn (€5.5bn) by 2009, fuelled by the advancing Asian market, according to a new study by Kalorama Information, publishing division of MarketResearch.com.
06-Sep-2006
Novel screening method speeds up cancer drug search
Researchers have developed a new technique that they claim will vastly speed up the search for new cancer drugs and antibiotics that has proved problematic and time expensive in the drug's development cycle.
Dalton Pharma Services introduces new medicinal chemistry services
Dalton Pharma Services has introduced a range of new medicinal chemistry services that are available to companies involved in drug discovery that wish to utilise additional scientific and managerial expertise as well as specialised equipment.
Clinical trials industry struggling with drug accountability
The clinical trials industry is struggling to cope with the burden of maintaining adequate drug accountability documentation for regulatory compliance.
Chemokine Therapeutics issued chemokine analog patent
Chemokine Therapeutics has announced it has received a patent relating to chemokine analogs for the treatment of human disease, which includes autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
05-Sep-2006
HemaCare acquires new research services arm
US blood products and services provider HemaCare has added a new research segment to the company with the acquisition of private US firm Teragenix for $4.8m (€3.7m).
Tripos launches improved data access software
Tripos has launched new software that allows scientists to access and analyse chemical and biological data from a single integrated desktop discovery environment
Researchers find novel method to modify drugs
A team of scientists has described the discovery of a simple process that may yield a raft of promising new agents to treat cancer and the majority of antibiotic-resistant infections.
04-Sep-2006
Caliper launches unique in vivo imaging system
Caliper Life Sciences has launched its latest addition to the company's suite of in vivo imaging systems promising advanced fluorescent detection capability for accelerating the drug discovery and development process reducing cost and time in the process.
01-Sep-2006
Answer to bacterial mystery promises new antibiotics
Researchers believe that the discovery of enzymes that play a key role in building membranes of disease-causing bacteria has ended a 25-year mystery and paves the way for new drug development against certain types of bacteria.
Eli Lilly and Suven enter CNS research deal
Drug giant Eli Lilly has joined forces with Suven Life Sciences in a deal that will focus on pre-clinical research of molecules in the therapeutic area of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Pharsight signs biggest deal in company's history
The Pharsight Corporation has announced it has entered into the biggest single project workplan in the company's history utilising its drug-disease modelling, meta-data analysis and model visualisation services.
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