October 2009- Volume 5, Issue 10
October 2009
In this Issue
Informatics
License to mine
License to mine
GeneGo licenses MetaCore to Proteostasis Therapeutics
Opening the door to data flow
Opening the door to data flow
Collaborative Drug Discovery adds ChemBridge’s screening libraries to growing compound database
Top-down approach to next-gen
Top-down approach to next-gen
GenomeQuests and Biomatters team up to offer integrated product for next-generation sequencing projects
Glad to know you
Glad to know you
The Gladstone Institutes link with Alitora Systems to develop advance knowledge systems
News Briefs
Hydra Biosciences, Cubist form collaboration
Hydra Biosciences, Cubist form collaboration
Hydra Biosciences has announced an agreement with Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. for a joint collaboration to develop novel ion channel drugs.
Bench Press
OriGene Technologies acquires Marligen Biosciences
OriGene Technologies acquires Marligen Biosciences
OriGene Technologies Inc. announced the acquisition of Marligen Biosciences Inc., a provider of cutting-edge multiplex assays for the Luminex xMAP platform for protein and gene expression profiling assays and testing services, and DNA and RNA purification kits.
Global News
MDS sells mass spec business to Danaher for $650 million
MDS sells mass spec business to Danaher for $650 million
Company also seeks buyer for pharma services business as it shifts focus to medical isotopes
Dainippon offers $2.6B for Sepracor
Dainippon offers $2.6B for Sepracor
Investors object, lawsuits allege Dainippon’s offer is inadequate
Singapore sling
Singapore sling
Roche adds Lonza facility in Singapore to its growing collection of Asian locations
Evotec AG and Biogen Idec strike screening pact
Evotec AG and Biogen Idec strike screening pact
Evotec will use its technologies to identify hit molecules for Biogen
Old pharma friendship bears fruit
Old pharma friendship bears fruit
Debiopharm to co-develop Ipsen’s Debio 0931 for treatment of cancer
Editor's Focus
Research Triangle Park or bust
Research Triangle Park or bust
I can’t help but wonder what sort of opportunities could be created if the citizens, industry and lawmakers in struggling states such as my own worked together to replicate North Carolina’s success story.
Genomics & Proteomics
Music to their ears
Music to their ears
Thermo Fisher Scientific to acquire B.R.A.H.M.S., a European provider of specialty diagnostic tests, for $470 million
Companions in diagnostics
Companions in diagnostics
Abbott to develop companion diagnostic for a Pfizer investigational lung cancer therapy
Roche gets value with GEMS
Roche gets value with GEMS
Collaboration based on PTC’s novel drug discovery platform to focus on four CNS disease targets
Nuevolution connects with Novartis
Nuevolution connects with Novartis
Partnership will use Nuevolution’s Chemetics technology for lead discovery
Silence is golden
Silence is golden
UK’s Silence Therapeutics signs siRNA delivery agreement with Japan-based Dainippon
Automation & Instrumentation
Mad about rads
Mad about rads
PerkinElmer boosts reagents assets with purchase of GE Healthcare's Catalog Radiochemical products
Dionex detects growth opportunities with ESA Life Sciences acquisition
Dionex detects growth opportunities with ESA Life Sciences acquisition
Company acquires assets of ESA Life Sciences' tools business to expand HPLC product portfolio
Cell Biosciences to acquire Alpha Innotech
Cell Biosciences to acquire Alpha Innotech
In a move aimed at creating a global presence in the protein analysis market—with solutions that will range in cost from $5,000 to $200,000—Cell Biosciences Inc. announced in September its acquisition of Alpha Innotech Corp.
Taking the next step
Taking the next step
Hamilton Robotics and Promega expand their collaborative relationship to co-develop an entire automated system
Right on target for genomics
Right on target for genomics
Affymetrix and Beckman Coulter join forces to provide robust, automated target preparation solutions
Research & Development
Biz booming in biotech hub
Biz booming in biotech hub
North Carolina Biotechnology Center expands headquarters in response to state's continued biotech industry growth
Wellcome Trust and Merck launch joint venture
Wellcome Trust and Merck launch joint venture
Aim is to develop affordable vaccines for low-income countries
Golden opportunity for PsychoGenics and AstraZeneca
Golden opportunity for PsychoGenics and AstraZeneca
Companies to collaborate on finding new treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders
Two peptides are better than one
Two peptides are better than one
Amylin and Biocon strike global development and commercialization deal for novel peptide hybrid aimed at treating diabetes
New Products
Next-generation microplate labeler
Next-generation microplate labeler
Agilent Automation Solutions has introduced a new microplate labeling system for automated on-demand, barcode print-and-apply applications in life science laboratories.
Core-shell column technology delivers ultra-high performance
Core-shell column technology delivers ultra-high performance
Phenomenex Inc. has introduced Kinetex, ultra-high performance LC columns based on the company’s new core-shell silica technology. Kinetex meets researchers’ need to improve results and increase productivity without large capital expenditures.
Commentary
Next-gen antibody approaches to cancer treatment offer improved product profiles, greater commercial success
Next-gen antibody approaches to cancer treatment offer improved product profiles, greater commercial success
Therapeutic antibodies have changed the cancer treatment landscape over the past decade. Both in liquid and solid tumors, antibodies have become an integral component of treatment regimens that have improved and extended the lives of cancer patients.
Patent News
U.S. DOJ hits Pfizer with $2.3 billion fine
U.S. DOJ hits Pfizer with $2.3 billion fine
How do you know the government is upset about spending all its money on healthcare? When you’re required to pay a record $2.3 billion civil and criminal penalty over unlawful prescription drug promotions.
