Ambion has developed technique that allows easier monitoring of
short RNA sequences in a variety of sample types and is 100-500
more sensitive than Northern blot analysis.
Dutch pharmaceuticals, chemicals and coatings group Akzo Nobel has
reported a 23 per cent decline in third-quarter earnings, roughly
in line with expectations, on the back of continued pressure on its
pharmaceuticals division.
An alliance between two German companies - 4SC and SWITCH Biotech -
has been set up to focus on the discovery of small-molecule
compounds for the treatment of psoriasis.
Researchers have discovered the first gene that may play a direct
role in longevity by protecting against some of the most important
diseases of ageing, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Millipore has reported a hike in third quarter sales and profits on
the back of a revival in the biotechnology industry's fortunes, but
said this may not last to the end of the year.
The UK High Court has issued injunctions against a number of
individuals found to be involved in the harassment of staff working
for UK-based Japanese pharmaceutical companies.
Speedel reports progress in the development of potent,
orally-active renin inhibitors, a class which have yet to be
commercialised despite two decades of research.
Two UK companies have launched new products to seal the tops of
plates used in laboratories and prevent evaporation and
contamination of their contents.
Escalating inflation rates and price pressures are hitting the
profit margins of positive displacement pump manufacturers and
inhibiting R&D, says new study.
Switzerland's Roche is subject to a fresh legal challenge over its
patent position in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, this
time from Applera unit Applied Biosystems.
Germany's Merck has introduced a new process media for separating
viruses, proteins, antibodies and DNA that has significant
advantages over existing products.
Sweden's Pyrosequencing has entered into an agreement to buy
prification and separation specialist Biotage, a subsidiary of Dyax
of the USA, for $35 million.
Evotec OAI and Biofrontera Pharmaceuticals have entered into a
co-marketing and distribution agreement to offer natural compound
libraries for drug discovery.
Ipsat Therapies has completed a Phase I trial of a novel approach
to preventing bacterial resistance by de-activating antibiotics in
the gastrointestinal tract.
Research conducted at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory has
suggested that microRNA (miRNA) - small nucleic acid sequences of
20-24 nucleotides that do not code for proteins - in fact play a
key role in gene expression.
Juvantia Pharma identifies small-molecule inhibitors of two forms
of the somatostatin receptor - subtypes 1 and 4 - with potential in
a wide range of disease indications.
Inamed has signed up Bayer BP for its computer-controlled AKITA
inhaler, designed to improve respiratory treatment by tailoring the
delivery of inhaled drugs.
Process manufacturing industries are not responding to a clear need
to improve the information flow between the different parts of
their businesses leading to costly plant shutdowns, says a new
survey commissioned by BASF IT Services.
Affymetrix releases into the public domain what it says is the
first significant SNP database that includes genotype data and
allele frequencies across the entire human genome.
General Electric is the company offering to buy Amersham of the UK,
it was confirmed today. The US group is offering £5.7 billion for
the life sciences group, and said it has no plans to hive off
Biosciences.
German company KNF Neuberger has announced the UK release of a new
3-in-1 liquid handling device. The company believes it has combined
efficiency with speed in the product that also cuts down on
laboratory noise.
After Amersham confirmed yesterday that it had received a bid from
an unnamed suitor wishing to buy the entire company, its shares
rose more than 16 per cent; both J&J and Roche are in the
rumour mill.
DRI and Tecan UK forge an alliance to use the former's CST reagents
on Tecan's liquid-handling devices. The collaboration will provide
automated nucleic acid purification systems.
Scientists at Berlex Pharmaceuticals, the US subsidiary of
Germany's Schering, have identified a biologic marker for
Alzheimer's that could form the basis of a diagnostic test.
Axon has licensed rights to Cellectricon's electroporation
technology to enhance the performance of its Axoporator products,
used to deliver DNA and other large molecules into cells.
New microarray products covering the human genome have been
launched by MWG Biotech and Agilent Technologies, adding to the
choice of products available to researchers.
Amersham will no longer act as a distributor for Epoch Bioscience's
MGB Eclipse range of probe systems after failing to meet sales
targets, according to the latter company.
Thermo Electron has teamed up with IBM to launch an offensive on
the LIMS marketplace. The collaboration will focus on LIMS systems
based on IBM's eServer system hardware.
Epigenomics and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are to press
ahead with the first phase of the Human Epigenome Project following
the successful completion of a pilot study funded by the European
Union.
France's Flamel Technologies has started a drive to raise funds in
the USA via a placement of shares aimed at raising $62.1 million,
to be spent on advancing its drug delivery technologies.
French company genOway has become the first in the world to clone
rats, opening the way towards genetically-modified animals that can
be used as reliable, reproducible models of disease processes.
France has announced a series of measures aimed at boosting the
country's R&D capabilities, including an increase in the
national research budget and extra funding for scientists.
Cardinal Health is to acquire 100 per cent ownership of protein
production specialist Gala Biotech for $15.5 million (€13.2m)in a
move to bolster its drug development services business.
NextGen Sciences of the UK has launched two new technologies that
it maintains have the potential to revolutionise protein research
and accelerate drug discovery.
Serono has initiated Phase I clinical testing of TACI-Ig, a soluble
receptor-based drug that may have a role to play in the management
of autoimmune diseases.
CalbaTech has signed an agreement to acquire privately-held
Molecula Research Laboratories, a company developing gene silencing
technologies for gene and protein function studies.
