Breaking News on Drug Discovery
All news articles > October 2006
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31-Oct-2006
BioWa begins Phase 1 clinical Mab trial in asthma
BioWa has announced it is to commence Phase 1 clinical trials anti-IL-5 receptor monoclonal antibody (Mab), which is being developed for the treatment of asthma, a respiratory disorder that is on the rise, particularly in children.
Scientists map gene sequence for cancers
Scientists have mapped the entire genetic sequence of breast and colon cancers, which could lead to better ways to diagnose cancer in its early, most treatable stages, as well as further develop personalised treatments.
Qiagen acquires Genaco and multiplexing technology
Qiagen, today announced that it has acquired all outstanding shares of Genaco Biomedical Products in a deal that adds PCR-based, multiplexed molecular diagnostics technologies and panels to Qiagen's portfolio.
Datatrak white paper analyses eClinical solutions
A white paper that looks at the eClinical business model strategies has concluded that larger investments and access to multicomponent, single-source contracting options will create more efficient models for businesses.
27-Oct-2006
China gaining ground in outsourcing supremacy
A recent report that focuses on international research and development trends has placed China as the country gaining significant grounds on the US in terms of R&D spending and outsourcing capabilities.
Scientists target Aurora B in cancer fight
The next generation of anti-cancer drugs took a positive step forward after scientists successfully inhibited an enzyme that is responsible for catalysing uncontrolled and abnormal cell divisions.
Enzyme breaks down Alzheimer's plaque component
Scientists have uncovered a naturally occurring enzyme that can break down a component of the brain plaques that play a central role in Alzheimer's disease, which could provide researchers with a basis for new therapies to treat this disorder.
Qiagen launches kit to accelerate PCR
Qiagen introduces its product for accelerating and streamlining the PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which offers PCR users the opportunity to increase PCR throughput by a factor of four, without investing in new lab equipment and without compromising the data quality.
Cleveland BioLabs glowing after radioprotection drug deal
US-based drug maker Cleveland BioLabs has teamed up with biopharmaceutical manufacturer Synco Bio Partners to produce its leading radioprotection molecule for clinical trials and commercialisation
26-Oct-2006
Thermo Electron reports continued 3Q strong growth
Thermo Electron has continued to show strong growth in the third quarter 2006 buoyed on by strong returns in its mass spectrometry business and progress in its Triple Quad technology.
25-Oct-2006
GSK to rely more on Asian R&D
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has indicated it will rely more heavily on Asian R&D in the future and has already been stepping up its involvement in India and Singapore.
Charles River Labs awarded $111.6m NCI contract
Charles River Laboratories has been awarded a $111.6m (€89m), 10-year contract from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), doubling the size of the company's current contract with NCI.
European cardiovascular drugs market set to rocket to new heights
According to a new study the European cardiovascular drugs market is expected to reach $36.3bn (€28.9bn) in 2012, buoyed on by new drug areas, classes and combination products.
Fisher Scientific Q3 goes from strength to strength
Fresh from Thermo's $10.4bn (€8.3bn) acquisition of the scientific equipment and instrument specialists, Fisher Scientific posted strong third quarter results that showed a profit rise of 62 per cent coupled with an 11 per cent increase in revenue.
24-Oct-2006
Enzyme profile offers insights into tumourgenesis
Findings from new study have offered an innovative profile of an enzyme that aids tumour growth, which points towards a potential new target for treatments for ovarian and breast cancers.
PPD Q3 profit increases, boosting dividend in the process
PPD managed a net revenue of $313.1m (€250m) for the third quarter of 2006, an increase of 14.6 per cent over net revenue of $273.3m for the third quarter of 2005. This has been buoyed on by the strong performance by the company's developmental segment.
Unique imaging probe opens drug discovery possibilities
Using a modified version of nuclear magnetic resonance technology, (NMR) scientists have revealed the therapeutic potential of an insect's venom, which could be utilised to provide a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders.
New biochip could accelerate drug development
Researchers have developed a biochip that could prove crucial in future drug development. The technology measures electrical activities of cells and can obtain 60 times more data in one reading than is possible with current technology.
Big Pharma splash out on R&D
Developing new drugs represents an enormous expense for pharma companies with top firms spending up to £4bn (€6bn) a year on R&D, according to new industry report.
MDS Pharma opens first US central lab
MDS Pharma Services has opened its first central lab in the US, expanding its capabilities in late-stage clinical trial testing.
20-Oct-2006
Applied Biosystems simplify DNA methylation with free software
Applied Biosystems introduces a new software tool that aims to simplify DNA methylation research aiding researchers to further their understanding of this process in the genetic basis of complex diseases, such as cancer.
Mettler Toledo unveil new titrator range
Mettler Toledo has introduced its new range of titrators, which have been specifically designed for repeated routine analyses focusing on time efficiency and fast results that are crucial components of a clinical drug trial.
Covance adopts unique in-vitro method to predict in-vivo liver disposition
Covance has announced it has licensed the use of a technique that is the only known in-vitro method to predict in-vivo liver disposition allowing users to identify and select better drug candidates.
19-Oct-2006
Agilent Technology to profile cancer awarded in NCI grants
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has revealed the grant recipients for its Cancer Genome Atlas pilot project, which will see three institutions using microarray platforms from Agilent Technologies.
Pakistan's pharma industry says "me too"
Two of Pakistan's pharma industry representatives spoke at the CPhI in Paris to raise the profile of this evolving sector of the country's economy.
Rohm and Haas creates new in vivo-like dissolution testing
Specialty chemicals maker Rohm and Haas has designed new equipments for its drug dissolution testing that it claims can reliably predict the release of oral drugs in vivo, and therefore potentially reduce the amount of animal testing.
PDI faces another major contract loss from GSK
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has told contract sales organisation (CSO) PDI that it will not renew its sales contract with the firm at the end of the year, signalling a devastating $65m-$70m loss in annual revenue for the struggling firm.
Quintiles steps up Indian presence
As it steps up its presence in the major clinical trials recruitment hubs in Asia, Quintiles has announced its intention to open a central lab in India to help feed its expanding network of clinical trial operations in the country.
18-Oct-2006
Lexicon Genetics initiates study for anti-autoimmune drug
Lexicon Genetics has revealed details of the preclinical development of a novel, orally available small molecule compound with potential application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Applied Biosystems introduce first MS system for amino acid analysis
Applied Biosystems has announced the availability of the first laboratory system that uses mass spectrometry to perform amino acid analysis, greatly improving the effectiveness and reliability of the data obtained.
Wyeth Pharma selects Genedata's platforms for drug R&D
Genedata has formed a new collaboration with Wyeth Pharma in which the computational biology firm will lend its support to Wyeth's drug discovery efforts.
17-Oct-2006
ClinTec and Dr Reddy's collaborate on anti-cancer drug
ClinTec International and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories have announced a partnership, in which both parties are to jointly develop an anti-cancer drug that belongs to the topoisomerase inhibitors class of compounds.
Millipore accelerate drug R&D with GPCR screening service
Millipore has now made available its GPCRProfiler screening service that allows more accurate characterisation of lead compounds enabling pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate their lead optimisation efforts.
Researchers make major gains in DNA-based computers
Scientists have come up with a DNA-based computer, which could lead to faster, more accurate tests for diagnosing West Nile Virus and bird flu more quicker and more accurately.
Researchers discover sugar compound wards off seizures
Researchers have demonstrated that a new compound has the potential to effectively cure epilepsy, raising hopes that a new drug can be produced to treat epileptic patients, who currently have no access to treatment.
Parexel angling to dominate Phase I arena
Paraxel has acquired a $65m (€52m) US business that will inflate its early phase capacity enough to make it one of the largest providers of Phase I services in the world and help "return its US operations to profitability".
16-Oct-2006
Information Technology hailed as tool to streamline trials
There is a growing realisation in pharma that, to remain competitive, paper-based trials are not the way forward. Instead, electronic data capture (EDC) and management technology solutions are now readily available and becoming more broadly adopted.
13-Oct-2006
Integrated exploratory protocols crucial to pharma
Integrated exploratory protocols could be the way forward in carrying out early phase clinical studies, which not only reduces drug development time and cost but minimises risk of late phase failures.
Datatrak "on track" for 2007
Datatrak International said it has been offered a minimum of $3m (€2.4m) worth of contracts for next year out of a deal struck with its first "multibillion-dollar" pharma firm in the second quarter.
Tecan makes automated cell culture easier
Tecan has made available to the scientific community a new Flask Flipper module, which has been designed to fit onto the company's Freedom EVO liquid handling workstations.
New report: India's top 100 pharmaceutical firms
A new report is available detailing the top 100 Indian pharmaceutical companies for those in the industry who have a business interest in this burgeoning region.
11-Oct-2006
RegeneRx seeks CRO to speed up patient recruitment
Falling foul of the patient recruitment problems that are plaguing the industry, RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals has recruited an undisclosed contract research organisation (CRO) to help it with the mountainous task.
PerkinElmer introduces two multiplexing platforms
PerkinElmer has introduced two multiplexing platforms for genomic research, which provides important tools for improving gene expression validation, molecular karyotyping and genome profiling.
Pharma not using outsourcing to its fullest, says report
According to a new report, pharmaceutical and biotech companies have not fully exploited the potential outsourcing represents, having only been adopted to a limited extent to date by companies.
Holmes Biopharma gaining Phase I momentum
After opening its first large scale clinical research facility earlier this year in the US through its new clinical research division, Qualia Clinical Service, Holmes Biopharma is starting to see the business gain momentum.
Is outsourcing ideal for early phase clinical studies?
Contract Research Organisations (CROs) have acquired an enviable reputation for providing a good quality service that is carried out by experienced staff, delivering all to budget and on time. But is outsourcing early phase clinical studies the best solution?
Data warehouse identified as key to future drug R&D
The need for better exploitation of clinical data is linked directly to the general challenges facing drug development today as development costs for new products have rocketed from $100m (€79m) to $800m.
10-Oct-2006
Agilent chooses Distek to reach US dissolution market
Agilent Technologies has chosen Distek to be its number-one provider for dissolution instrumentation service in North America under its Lab Resource Management (LRM) programme.
Cardinal attracts Wyeth as cell line engineering market remains "robust"
Cardinal Health says it is experiencing a "robust market" for its cell line engineering technology, as it attracts the attention of pharma giant Wyeth and executes capacity expansion plans its for full service offerings in the field.
Is outsourcing ideal for early phase clinical studies?
Contract Research Organisations (CROs) have acquired an enviable reputation for providing a good quality service that is carried out by experienced staff, delivering all to budget and on time. But is outsourcing early phase clinical studies the best solution?
09-Oct-2006
Report predicts kinase market to reach $58.6bn in 2010
According to a new report, the kinase-targeted drug market is set to grow from $12.7 bn (€10bn) in 2005 to $58.6bn in 2010. Cancer (mainly solid tumours) is expected to remain the dominant application throughout the forecast period.
Prosonix pushes sonocrystallisation forward
Prosonix has launched a new particle engineering technology in an attempt to reach the inhaled drug delivery market - at the same time the British firm has extended an agreement with UCB for the use of its existing sonocrystallisation technology.
European countries hailed as top locations for business
Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are the world's most competitive economies according to this year's assessment of the best places to do business by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum (WEF).
Researchers discover tumour suppressor promotes cancer
Scientists have demonstrated that a tumour suppressor gene could actually stimulate tumour progression, which if confirmed, could raise possibilities of using the gene as a novel prognostic indicator of tumour aggressiveness.
BioDiscovery introduces new CGH analysis module
BioDiscovery has released a new array module for its Imagene software that provides an advanced array-based DNA copy number analysis and visualisation tool for the drug discovery sector.
06-Oct-2006
Heat-On blocks provide alternative to oil baths.
Brinkmann Instruments has introduced its new heating block range for round- bottomed flasks that eliminates the inherent mess and safety issues associated with oil baths.
GTC and LFB collaborate on transgenically produced products
GTC Biotherapeutics and LFB Biotechnologies have entered into a collaboration, which focuses on recombinant plasma proteins and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to eventually develop a robust pipeline for treating conditions such as haemophilia.
UK pharma faces recruitment issues, report warns
UK pharmaceutical companies are not doing enough to attract fresh talent to the industry and face serious future recruitment issues if they don't get their act together now, warns a new report.
New drug provides effective defence against bird flu
A new study has discovered what seems to be a novel compound that offers protection against influenza viruses, including the bird flu virus. The compound could represent a new class of antiviral drugs to prevent and treat this killer threat.
FDA says drug safety reforms "are on the way"
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has admitted that more needs to be done to ensure the safe and effective use of prescription drugs, after a report urged the regulator to revamp its drug safety system.
05-Oct-2006
Report: FDA needs overhaul in drug safety process
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come under scrutiny after an independent report urged the regulator to implement large reforms to ensure the safety of new prescription drugs.
04-Oct-2006
Mobious prototype test detects positive sample in 40 secs
Mobious Genomics has announced a prototype version of a new immunoassay that identified a low concentration bacterial sample within 40 seconds, vastly improving on the six - forty eight hours it currently takes to identify the same sample.
EU Commission accused of anti-industry "green policies"
The European Commission continues to be accused by European industry of pushing 'green policies' that are stifling progress and global competitiveness - the controversial REACH chemicals legislation remains a sore point.
Oncology drug testing - hospital vs CRO
Clinical research organisations (CROs) should be enlisted to run Phase I oncology drug trials in order to improve efficiencies, delegates heard at Pabord 2006 in London.
Antibiotic found to inhibit cancer proliferation
Researchers believe that a little-known antibiotic could well prove effective against cancer, showing promise because it has not shown toxic side effects, which continue to blight current anti-cancer agents.
PainCeptor Pharma adds patents to pain portfolio
PainCeptor Pharma has announced it has been awarded a series of patents for its drug development programs that focus on pain management whilst avoiding the many detrimental side effects associated with current pain drugs.
02-Oct-2006
New discovery could be key in Malaria treatment
Researchers believe that they have discovered a new treatment for the severest form of Malaria, which may be able to help in preventing the two million lives the disease claims each year.
Glaxo splashes out €500m on French vaccine plant
With sales of its vaccines expected to triple in the next ten years, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has decided to invest more than €500m in a new manufacturing facility in St-Amand-Les-Eaux in order to increase production capacity for paediatric and adult vaccines.
Novel search engine speeds up drug research
Scientists have come up with an innovative tool that may accelerate the drug development process, which has slowed down considerably despite the investment in new technologies and analytical techniques.
TTP Labtech launches triple laser cytometer
TTP Labtech has launched a microplate cytometer, which accelerates transfer from development to screening, combining data collection from whole well scanning with fast read times making it suitable for industry and academia.
Aptuit spreads its wings with EaglePicher API deal
Drug developing services provider Aptuit has acquired the pharmaceutical services division of technology firm EaglePicher, enriching its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug substance manufacturing offerings.
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