September 2007- Volume 3, Issue 9
September 2007
In this Issue
News Briefs
Genomics & Proteomics
A double gain: Epidauros acquisition will boost both of Clinical Data’s genomics divisions
A double gain: Epidauros acquisition will boost both of Clinical Data’s genomics divisions
Clinical Data Inc. in late August announced that it had acquired privately held Epidauros Biotechnologie AG of Bernried, Germany, in a cash transaction valued at 8.75 million Euros—or approximately $11.84 million.
FDA looks to India
FDA looks to India
GVK Biosciences (GVK Bio) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a material transfer agreement in August under which GVK Bio is granting access to its Clinical Biomarker Database to the FDA.
Operon, DNA2.0 aim for bigger share of synthetic gene market
Operon, DNA2.0 aim for bigger share of synthetic gene market
Under a new partnership, Operon is providing oligonucleotides to DNA2.0 for the synthesis genes to meet the demands of a market the companies say is expected to double annually for the next several years. The co-marketing agreement calls for cross-selling their core products to their respective customer bases.
A startup with a pedigree: Alnylam, Isis launch Regulus
A startup with a pedigree: Alnylam, Isis launch Regulus
Cambridge, Mass.-based Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Carlsbad, Calif.-based Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. have launched Regulus Therapeutics LLC, a joint venture focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of miRNA therapeutics.
Global News
Ophthotech in-licenses pair of aptamers
Ophthotech in-licenses pair of aptamers
In a pair of in-licensing deals with Archemix Corp. and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Ophthotech Corp. recently acquired rights to aptamer compounds for the treatment of macular degeneration. Ophthotech is a new company formed by former executive of Eyetech, which OSI Pharmaceuticals acquired in late 2005.
Bend Research, Pfizer seek to improve drug bioavailability
Bend Research, Pfizer seek to improve drug bioavailability
Bend Research and Pfizer have developed a new delivery technology—-spray-dried dispersions (SDDs)—-that Bend recently announced it will make available to other organizations looking to improve the clinical effectiveness of experimental compounds.
Informatics
Getting real with trials
Getting real with trials
INC Research has partnered with TheraSim, to put together a CPM system that will provide an interactive patient simulation environment designed to both assess and improve the skills and behaviors of clinicians.
Automation & Instrumentation
Genotyping for the masses: Applied Bio launches genotyping service provider program for core labs
Genotyping for the masses: Applied Bio launches genotyping service provider program for core labs
Looking to both increase the sales of products in its SNPlex line, as well as help its core lab cusotomers provider a wider suite of services to customers, Applied Biosystems Inc. rolled out a service provider program via selected core labs to bring genotyping services to researchers that do not have access to capillary electrophoresis (CE) genetic analysis systems.
Waters boosts position in thermal analysis market with Calorimetry Sciences acquisition
Waters boosts position in thermal analysis market with Calorimetry Sciences acquisition
In a bid to capitalize on the relatively small but growing thermal analysis market in life sciences, Waters Corp. recently acquired Linden, Utah-based Calorimetry Sciences Corp. (CSC), a manufacturer of high-performance calorimeters.
BioServe breaks out: Develops CRC diagnostic with Phenomenome Discoveries, moves into new HQ
BioServe breaks out: Develops CRC diagnostic with Phenomenome Discoveries, moves into new HQ
BioServe announced it had developed a novel serum-based diagnostic test with Canadian company Phenomenome Discoveries for the identification of colorectal cancer (CRC), and moved its home base into a new 40,000-square-foot home office that includes wet and dry labs, and is also the home of its Global Repository of more than 600,000 DNA, tissue and serum samples of Genomics Collaborative.
Cisbio, Lumiphore lighten it up
Cisbio, Lumiphore lighten it up
Cisbio, the developer of HTRF (homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence) technology and start-up biotech, lanthanide specialist Lumiphore Inc., announced early this month an agreement whereby Cisbio will incorporate Lumiphore’s Lumi4 complexes in Cisbio assays.
PerkinElmer launches assay development service
PerkinElmer launches assay development service
PerkinElmer announced early last month the launch of a comprehensive assay development service for high-performance, highly sensitive assays in advanced cellular science and drug discovery research.
Research & Development
SurModics buys Brookwood for $40 million
SurModics buys Brookwood for $40 million
SurModics Inc. acquired Brookwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. in a move that combines two portfolios of drug delivery technologies rooted in polymers.
Modeling drug toxicity
Modeling drug toxicity
Biological simulations specialist Entelos announced it entered into a CRADA with the U.S. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) to develop models of drug-induced liver injury.
Recent recalls push early tox market
Recent recalls push early tox market
In August, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration asked Novartis AG to pull the pain reliever Prexige from store shelves because of a handful of reports about severe liver reactions in patients taking the drug, including two deaths.
Magellan BioScience, Thrombotargets team up for marine-isolated microorganism screening
Magellan BioScience, Thrombotargets team up for marine-isolated microorganism screening
Magellan BioScience Group Inc., and Thrombotargets Corp. recently entered into a drug discovery joint venture agreement that unites an unlimited number of Magellan’s compounds and extracts derived from marine microorganisms with Thrombotargets’ technology for high-throughput screening of pathway activity.
