July 2010- Volume 6, Issue 7
July 2010
In this Issue
Commentary
Commentary: The importance of liquid handling quality assurance through the drug discovery process
Commentary: The importance of liquid handling quality assurance through the drug discovery process
The choice of reverse- or forward-mode pipetting is often based on operator preference, but choosing the right technique can help to minimize error in automated liquid handling.
Patent News
When it comes to patent term extensions, an enantiomer is a different drug from racemate
When it comes to patent term extensions, an enantiomer is a different drug from racemate
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently rendered a decision in Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc. v. Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. on the question of whether separate enantiomers can have “first commercial marketing or use” status for purposes of patent term extension under 35 U.S.C. § 156.
Editor's Focus
Our pharma, ‘tis of thee
Our pharma, ‘tis of thee
With many of us gathering on the fourth of this month to celebrate the birth of our country, it’s a good time to assess the state of U.S. pharma and biotech markets.
New Products
Complete sample storage solution for biobanking, repositories
Complete sample storage solution for biobanking, repositories
Micronic offers a full range of biological and cryogenic sample storage tubes, sealing arrangements, tube racks, tube sorters and Track-IT—a new sample management system interfaced to a 2D code reader that allows users to reliably and efficiently organize and track individual samples.
New SsoFast probes supermix to accelerate gene expression analysis
New SsoFast probes supermix to accelerate gene expression analysis
Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. introduces SsoFast probes supermix, a reagent that enables researchers using fluorogenic probes to enhance the speed, reliability and sensitivity of their qPCR experiments.
Shimadzu introduces data analysis technologies
Shimadzu introduces data analysis technologies
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has taken the wraps off several new products, including AXIMA MegaTOF, an integrated MALDI solution from Shimadzu and CovalX for ultra high-mass applications that detect intact complexes up to 1.5 MDa.; Nexera Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph, which meets all analysis requirements with no compromise in data integrity; Nanotrap Biomarker Discovery Platform, which gives researchers the ability to enrich, preserve and screen low-level biomarkers directly from complex biological samples; and Component ID Solution, software that accelerates high-confidence component identification using the power of high-mass accuracy and the simplicity of an open-access workflow.
Pipette tips that ensure pipette connection
Pipette tips that ensure pipette connection
GripTips are a next- generation range of pipette tips that ensure the perfect connection between pipette and tip. GripTips have been engineered to provide unmatched high lateral resistance.
Recombinant Human Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor
Recombinant Human Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor
Recombinant Human Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (rHu GM-CSF) is produced in response to a number of inflammatory mediators by mesenchymal cells present in the hemopoietic environment and at peripheral sites of inflammation.
Research & Development
High-figure deal marks growth in medical device market
High-figure deal marks growth in medical device market
Covidien boosts vascular platform with $2.6 billion acquisition of medical device maker ev3
Respiration collaboration
Respiration collaboration
Centocor Ortho Biotech acquires RespiVert to bolster pulmonary focus, boosting pulmonary portfolio and capabilities
Deep in the heart of Texas
Deep in the heart of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas A&M’s partner in war against cancer
All of a mind on brain tumor vaccine
All of a mind on brain tumor vaccine
Recent glioblastoma vaccine deal with NCI in the States complements earlier immatics’ agreement with Cancer Research UK
Strength in numbers
Strength in numbers
Merck launches global network of cancer centers to accelerate cancer trials and improve collaborative research efforts
Instruments & Informatics
Two knowledge management companies join forces to provide integrated solutions
Two knowledge management companies join forces to provide integrated solutions
Ariadne and Aureus Pharma to collaborate on technologies and applications in support of knowledge management solutions
Adding more PDQ and A-OK for qPCR
Adding more PDQ and A-OK for qPCR
Exiqon and MultiD sign development and distribution agreement to provide specifically adapted microRNA qPCR analysis solution
The 5,000 human protein club
The 5,000 human protein club
OriGene Technologies, Institute for Systems Biology to create standard database for 5,000 human proteins
Putting down the bottle(necks)
Putting down the bottle(necks)
BIOCIUS and Agilent launch mass spec solution that eliminates need for test compound-specific methods
Global News
Profits go north in the Far East
Profits go north in the Far East
Multibillion-dollar Piramal deal in India makes Abbott one of biggest players in Asian emerging markets, branded generics
Japanese, if you please
Japanese, if you please
sanofi-aventis and Japan’s Nichi-Iko form generics joint venture
Does Aspen have cure for a sick Sigma?
Does Aspen have cure for a sick Sigma?
There are signs that Aspen Pharmacare may want to acquire Sigma, but challenges abound
A cardiovascular collaboration
A cardiovascular collaboration
ElexoPharm expands Merck’s cardiovascular pipeline with aldosterone synthase inhibitors
Omics & Systems Biology
New type of human stem cell may be more easily manipulated
New type of human stem cell may be more easily manipulated
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Stem Cell Institute say cells should be more useful for research, future therapies
Two four-year olds study digital proteomic signatures
Two four-year olds study digital proteomic signatures
Affomix and the PGx Centre to develop reagents that will enable the quantitative multiplexed profiling of strategic proteins predictive of drug efficacy and toxicity
Ultrasound and fury
Ultrasound and fury
Philips and RXi Pharmaceuticals look to fight disease by jointly researching innovative image-guided, RNAi-based therapy
Going after GPCRs
Going after GPCRs
Scynexis to aid Trevena’s ongoing search for biased GPCR ligand drugs
NIH Human Microbiome Project researchers publish first genomic collection of human microbes
NIH Human Microbiome Project researchers publish first genomic collection of human microbes
Diversity of human microbes greater than previously predicted
Special Reports
Stepping out from behind the curtain
Stepping out from behind the curtain
Five CROs offer a glimpse into their business and the future of the industry
Reg-ing them over the coals
Reg-ing them over the coals
Increasing government regulation might be a significant part of the push to outsource more pharma and biotech functions
Diagnostics
Taking a breakthrough to the masses
Taking a breakthrough to the masses
ZyGEM acquires MicroLab Diagnostics to commercialize DNA testing, detection platform
GE Healthcare dreams big with $5 million investment in CardioDx
GE Healthcare dreams big with $5 million investment in CardioDx
Companies to advance development of new tools to diagnose cardiovascular disease with first healthymagination fund investment
Cancer consortium to continue
Cancer consortium to continue
Germany’s GATC Biotech to carry on sequencing of pediatric brain tumors for the International Cancer Genome Consortium
Sharp strategy, broad reach
Sharp strategy, broad reach
Clovis Oncology and Avila Therapeutics sign $209 million agreement for the worldwide development and commercialization of EGFR mutant-selective inhibitor
Government Watch
In the interest of full disclosure
In the interest of full disclosure
NIH proposes federal rule requiring researchers to publicly report payments from pharma companies
Synthetic biology ‘not life from scratch,’ researcher says
Synthetic biology ‘not life from scratch,’ researcher says
U.S. Congress hears benefits, ethical concerns associated with synthetic biology
OSHA seeks reform of lab safety standards
OSHA seeks reform of lab safety standards
Agency calls for public comment on occupational risks of and procedures for handling infectious agents
Top 10 FDA Advisory Committee tips
Top 10 FDA Advisory Committee tips
Drug development consultant shares best practices for delivering a successful argument before regulators
Showing bioscience the money
Showing bioscience the money
Maryland proposal could boost venture capital for bioscience companies
News Briefs
A step up for systems biology
A step up for systems biology
Life Technologies partners with German Cancer Research Center to create world-class genome sequencing facility
