March 2009- Volume 5, Issue 3
In this Issue
Research & Development
Cholesterol clog-buster
Cholesterol clog-buster
UT Southwestern scientists uncover compound that frees trapped cholesterol
Lifetree expands its branches
Lifetree expands its branches
In an effort to expand its services to the broader arena of central nervous system-related disorders, Lifetree Clinical Research is primed to debut its Lifetree Center for Neuroscience Research.
Bypassing HIV’s ‘decoy zone’
Bypassing HIV’s ‘decoy zone’
IAVI and Algonomics to collaborate on HIV protein design project
Sanofi-aventis outlines R&D changes, eyes acquisitions
Sanofi-aventis outlines R&D changes, eyes acquisitions
Reporting a nearly 14 percent profit in the fourth quarter of 2008, Sanofi-aventis outlines several new initiatives aimed at growing its R&D division
Trimming the fat
Trimming the fat
Zafgen, Argenta sign anti-obesity drug development deal
Spurred into action
Spurred into action
Philanthropist funds new AIDS institute aimed at finding HIV vaccine within a decade
Merck acquires Insmed for $130 million
Merck acquires Insmed for $130 million
Deal will allow Merck to pursue follow-on biologics
Automation & Instrumentation
Back Jack, do it again
Back Jack, do it again
Three-year collaboration between TTP Labtech and AZ yields custom screening solution—and an order for a second unit
Supercritical success
Supercritical success
Building on a years-long relationship and a recent equity investment, Waters acquires SFC specialist Thar Instruments
Going with the flow
Going with the flow
Millipore acquires Guava Technologies to further strengthen its position in the flow cytometry market
An affinity for membrane proteins
An affinity for membrane proteins
Bio-Rad’s ProteOn and Integral Molecular’s Lipoparticles enhance kinetic analysis of membrane protein interactions
Genomics & Proteomics
Back to school
Back to school
Mirna Therapeutics announces back-to-back oncology collaboration deals with M.D. Anderson and UCSF
Shooting from the HIP
Shooting from the HIP
Cure DM edging closer to a therapy for reversing diabetes, using a novel peptide
Buying across the pond
Buying across the pond
California-based Gen-Probe plans to acquire Tepnel in the UK for $132 million and possibly tap into pharmacogenomics market
A vision for the future
A vision for the future
Deal with Fovea helps Dyax expand reach of lead therapeutic protein candidate DX-88 into ophthalmology
The unusual suspect
The unusual suspect
Duke and Johns Hopkins researchers discover genetic link to malignant glioma that could lead to better treatment for central nervous system cancers
Global News
Roche-Genentech deal goes hostile
Roche-Genentech deal goes hostile
Roche takes $42B offer to Genentech\'s shareholders
Galapagos patents high-stakes Alzheimer's breakthrough
Galapagos patents high-stakes Alzheimer's breakthrough
Study finds GPR3 a promising drug target for the disease
The Danish are coming!
The Danish are coming!
Lundbeck establishes U.S. footprint with $900 million purchase of Ovation Pharmaceuticals
GSK expands global footprint
GSK expands global footprint
GlaxoSmithKline agrees to pay E515 million to UCB for expansion into emerging markets
Behind the iron curtain
Behind the iron curtain
PPD acquires AbCRO, strengthens foothold in Eastern Europe
Putting a little English on it
Putting a little English on it
Oxford Expression Technologies signs co-marketing agreement with fellow UK company Eden Biodesign
Will third time be the charm for Astellas?
Will third time be the charm for Astellas?
Twice rejected by CV Therapeutics, Astellas takes $1.1 billion bid to shareholders
Informatics
Improved informatics infrastructure
Improved informatics infrastructure
USC wins $22.2 million grant for national informatics clearinghouse
Electronic lab notebook for vaccine trials
Electronic lab notebook for vaccine trials
Immunovirology Division of French Atomic Energy Agency selects IDBS’ BioBook to manage its research data
Physicochemical software connection
Physicochemical software connection
ACD/Labs and Pharma Algorithms join forces to strengthen in silico screening and prediction
On-demand storage system
On-demand storage system
New LIMS from Sciformatix uses Software as a Service paradigm to simplify system, cut costs
More bang for their buck
More bang for their buck
Cornell researchers partner with Ocarina Networks for cost-efficient data compression and storage
