Saturday, February 11, 2012

Site Search

Archive for October, 2007

Newer Entries »

BIO-Europe 2007 conference in Hamburg, Germany this November 12th to 14th

Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 October 2007 06:43 Written by admin Tuesday, 16 October 2007 06:43

This year, BIO-Europe 2007 is promising to be the largest, best-attended bio-partnering event ever with over 2000 registered attendees from over 800 firms. Key to your interests is the fact that the many of the most respected names in life sciences industry will be attending and will be highly accessible.  There is simply no better opportunity to gain access to the people behind the deals that drive the life sciences industry.

Please find pasted below many of the much anticipated conference highlights.

We hope to see you in Hamburg. Please let me know how we can help facilitate your efforts at the conference. Or if you are unable to attend we would be happy to arrange for you to speak with attending speakers or attending companies. Thank you.

———————————

Press Release:  BIO-Europe 2007 to Bring out Biotech’s Biggest Names and Explore Key Issues for the Industry’s Future

Conference expected to be the largest stand-alone biotech partnering event ever held

Carlsbad, CA and Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2007 – EBD Group and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announce that BIO-Europe 2007 will bring out many of the most well known and respected names in the biotech industry to confront the key issues affecting the industry’s future. With an anticipated 2000 participants, BIO-Europe 2007 is expected to be the largest stand-alone biotechnology partnering event ever held.

Key program highlights of BIO-Europe 2007 include:

•     The Changing World Order of Biotech-Pharma – How Will Emerging Realities Affect Your Business Strategy? Moderated by Vaughn M. Kailian, General Partner, MPM Capital, and will also feature Barbara Yanni, Vice President and Chief Licensing Officer, Merck & Co., Inc., Jan Lundberg, Executive Vice President, Discovery Research, AstraZeneca, and John Maraganore, CEO, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These leaders will discuss the impact of Big Pharma’s struggles to meet the financial world’s growth expectations on the up and coming, higher growth biotech sector.

•     Alternative Financing – Unconventional Routes to Capital. Led by Dr. Ludger Wess, Managing Partner of akampion, this interactive workshop tackles the challenge of a capital marketplace now characterized by fewer life science VC firms facing more pressure for quick exits.

•     The Trend Toward Early Stage M&A and Licensing – What are the New Rules to the Dating Game? Dr. Rüdiger Herrmann, Partner, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP will lead this interactive workshop exploring the change in the industry toward early stage projects versus mid- to late-stage in-licensing and M&A activities.

•     Getting to the New Tipping Point: Proof of Concept. With Phase III failure rates increasing, the drug industry needs more products reaching positive proof of concept.  That’s why the prices of Phase II deals are rising so sharply (upfronts increased more than 50% year over year according to Windhover’s Strategic Transactions Database) and why biotechs, big pharmas and major investors are changing their strategies.  Moderated by Roger Longman, Managing Partner, Windhover Information, this panel will include Dr. Corinne Savill, Global Head, Search and Evaluation, Novartis, Dr. Gary A. Herman, Executive Director, Experimental Medicine, Merck Research Laboratories and Dr. Paul Stoffels, Company Group Chairman, Global Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals Group, Johnson & Johnson.

•     Biotech/Pharma Co-Promotion Rights: An Opportunity or a Challenge? Led by Gayle Mills, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, ROXRO PHARMA, Inc., this panel will dive into co-marketing and co-promotion challenges spurred by the increased partnering between biotech and pharmaceutical companies.  Featured panellists include Dr. Rob Wills, Vice President, Alliance Management, Pharmaceuticals Group, Johnson & Johnson, Louis J. Scotti, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Ben Bonifant, Vice President, Business Development Practice, Campbell Alliance.
•     A Day in the Life of Experienced Dealmakers. Now in its 5th consecutive year, this highly popular and provocative plenary session promises to continue its tradition of lively and insightful debate over key issues of strategic deal making by some of the biggest names in biotech. This session is led by James Watson, Managing Director and Head of Merchant Banking, Burrill & Company, joined by Thomas Hofstaetter, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Wyeth and John G. Goddard, Global Head and Senior VP of Strategic Planning and Business Development, AstraZeneca.

Other workshops and panels include:

•     What is Translational Medicine and How Can Your Company Exploit It?
•     USand European Patent Law: Anticipated Changes and the Impact for the Life Sciences Industry
•     What You Wish You Knew Before Going to Market in the United States
•     From Target to Clinic – Reduce the Time to Your First Important Milestone
•     Global Drug Pricing – A Way Out of the Dilemma?
•     How Do Recent Changes Within the FDA Affect Your Company’s Business Strategy?
•     An Experts’ View on the State of the Industry
•     Pharma’s Franchise View on Novel Medicines for CNS Disease
•     David vs. Goliath – How Can Mid-Size Pharma Compete in an Environment Dominated by Big Pharma?
•     Beyond Antibodies: Building on Protein Scaffolds
•     Post-Merger Integration – How Best to Leverage Synergies

A complete list of workshops, panels and abstracts can be accessed at:

http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/program.htm

Notes to Editors:

Entry to BIO-Europe 2007 is free to the media, including full access to the partnering system, sessions, press conferences, workshops, and pre-arranged partnering meetings. Visit the BIO-Europe conference website at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/press_reg.htm for detailed information on this year’s conference and online registration. When you register online, please indicate in the comment field that you are requesting a complimentary press registration. Please fax a copy of your press pass to complete your complimentary media registration to fax number +49 (89) 23 88 756 55.
About BIO-Europe 2007

BIO-Europe 2007 is the preeminent stand-alone partnering event for the biotechnology industry. Delegates from all parts of the biotechnology value-chain come to BIO-Europe to efficiently identify, engage and enter into the strategic relationships that drive their business successfully forward. It is anticipated that this year’s BIO-Europe partnering event will draw 2,000 industry attendees from almost 40 countries, representing more than 1,100 companies for three days of high-level networking. BIO-Europe features the industry’s most advanced web-based partnering system that delegates will use to generate in excess of 7,000 partnering meetings. BIO-Europe features an exceptional international exhibition where companies, organizations and biotech regions can showcase their offerings. Additional networking opportunities will abound at evening and special events. BIO-Europe is co-developed by EBD Group and the Biotechnology Industry Organization, in partnership with European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises.

About EBD Group

EBD Group International, LLC is the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry. Since 1993, firms in the life sciences have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Group’s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)  include BIO-Europe (co-organized with BIO), the preeminent stand-alone or ex-U.S. partnering conference for the biotechnology industry; BIO-Europe Spring; the investor conference, BioEquity Europe (co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO); and the convergent medical technology partnering conference, BioDevice Partnering. EBD’s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants can provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies. EBD Group has offices in San Diego, Munich and London. For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology. www.bio.org.

Posted under Europe, Europe, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

Structure Of Influenza B Virus Protein Gives Clues To Next Pandemic

Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 October 2007 04:33 Written by admin Tuesday, 16 October 2007 04:33

Science Daily – Determining the structure of a protein called hemagglutinin on the surface of influenza B is giving researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University in Houston clues as to what kinds of mutations could spark the next flu pandemic.

In a new online report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Drs. Qinghua Wang, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at BCM, and Jianpeng Ma, associate professor in the same department and their colleagues describe the actual structure of influenza B virus hemagglutinin and compare it to a similar protein on influenza A virus.

That comparison may be key to understanding the changes that will have to occur before avian flu (which is a form of influenza A virus) mutates to a form that can easily infect humans, said Ma, who holds a joint appointment at Rice. He and Wang have identified a particular residue or portion of the protein that may play a role in how different types of hemagglutinin bind to human cells.

“What would it take for the bird flu to mutate and start killing people” That’s the next part of our work,” said Ma. Understanding that change may give scientists a handle on how to stymie it.

There are two main forms of influenza virus — A and B. Influenza B virus infects only people while influenza A infects people and birds. In the past, influenza A has been the source of major worldwide epidemics (called pandemics) of flu that have swept the globe, killing millions of people. The most famous of these was the Pandemic of 1918-1919, which is believed to have killed between 20 and 40 million people worldwide. It killed more people than World War I, which directly preceded it.

The Asian flu pandemic of 1957-1958 is believed to have killed as many as 1.5 million people worldwide, and the so-called Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968-1969 is credited with as many as 1 million deaths. Each scourge was accompanied by a major change in the proteins on the surface of the virus.

Hemagglutinin sits on the membrane or surface of the virus. When it finds a receptor in a cell, it clicks in — just as a key fits into a lock and enters to infect the cell. The hemagglutinin on influenza B only fits into a receptor on human cells. However, influenza A virus hemagglutinin fits into receptors on human and bird cells. Understanding the differences in the two “keys” may provide a clue as to how the avian flu virus, which infects only bird cells easily now, must change to infect humans easily. Understanding those changes could provide researchers with information about how likely a pandemic of bird flu might be, said Ma.

Others who took part in this work include Xia Tian and Xiaorui Chen, both of BCM. Funding for this work came from the National Institutes of Health and the Welch Foundation.

Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Baylor College of Medicine.

Source: Science Daily

Posted under Bird Flu Research, North America  |  Comments Off

InnoVet Selects EBD Group to Power its Conference Partnering

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 October 2007 08:45 Written by admin Sunday, 14 October 2007 08:45

Carlsbad, CA , October  09, 2007 –  EBD Group, the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry, today announced that it has been selected to run the partnering facility for InnoVet 2007, the premier international veterinary business conference and partnering event held this year in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, October 14-16, 2007.  InnoVet will use EBD Group’s PartneringOne™ software and services to generate new business and networking meetings among attending senior business executives, veterinary product developers, financial institutions, early-stage companies and regulators from around the world.

PartneringOne is a complete conference partnering solution that combines the industry’s most trusted and intuitive web-based partnering system with best practice implementation services.  PartneringOne enables conference delegates to efficiently and effectively identify partnering opportunities and pre-arrange private one-to-one meetings with targeted firms and representatives.  Purpose-built, web-based and easy to use, PartneringOne provides a structured tool driven by powerful algorithms for facilitating partnering meetings, while at the same time presenting a user-friendly interface that masks the sophisticated processing behind the screen. PartneringOne today powers many of the world’s largest partnering conferences, including BIO-Europe Spring, ERBI’s BioPartnering Exchange and AdvaMed 2007.

“We are excited to work with InnoVet 2007 as the partnering engine for this highly respected conference,” said Carola Schropp, Managing Director, EBD Group. “Strategic partnering is the fuel that keeps any innovation-based industry healthy and growing. As the leading conference for the veterinary industry, InnoVet plays an important role in fostering new relationships and in the exchange of ideas. With PartneringOne, InnoVet 2007 will create new vistas of partnering opportunities for its many delegates.”

“We are excited to work with EBD Group to provide expert partnering for the InnoVet 2007 International Veterinary Business Conference. We investigated other partnering systems and PartneringOne was attractive to us in functionality, ease of use and customization to meet the unique needs of our veterinary business market,” Rose Fitzpatrick, Conference Manager, InnoVet 2007.

About InnoVet

INNOVET is the premiere North American based animal health industry conference. In a short span of 5 years, InnoVet has emerged as a “must attend” event for animal health strategic planners and executives. InnoVet focuses on topical issues important to the worldwide animal health industry, while providing a unique opportunity for networking between major industry players, regulators, service providers and life sciences research communities.

About EBD Group

EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry. Since 1993, firms in the life sciences have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business.

EBD Group’s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as BIO and Eucomed) include BIO-Europe, the world’s largest stand-alone life science partnering conference; BIO-Europe Spring; the investor conference, BioEquity Europe (co-organized with BioCentury Publications); and the convergent medical technology partnering conference, BioDevice Partnering.  EBD’s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants can provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies.

EBD Group has offices in San Diego, Munich and London. For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com.

Posted under Collaborations, Europe, North America, Press Releases, USA and Canada, Veterinary Research  |  Comments Off

BIOSERVE and DNAPRINT(R) GENOMICS FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO PROVIDE CLINICAL PATIENT SAMPLES TAGGED WITH GENETIC ANCESTRY DATA

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 October 2007 08:34 Written by admin Sunday, 14 October 2007 08:34

BioServe’s fully annotated clinical samples across many diseases to be tagged with ancestry information using DNAPrint’s genetic ancestry tests

BELTSVILLE, MD., Oct. 9, 2007 – BioServe today announced the formation of strategic alliance with DNAPrint® Genomics, Inc. (OTCBB: DNAG) to provide biomedical researchers with clinical DNA samples that for the first time will include genetic ancestry data for each sample. With the added dimension of ancestry information to clinical samples, medical researchers will be able to determine whether certain biological markers are artifacts of genetic ancestry or are true markers for a disease or drug response in a disease. To create the genetic ancestry data, DNAPrint® Genomics will analyze and categorize BioServe’s Global Repository® of nearly 600,000 human biological samples using its ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) validated genetic ancestry test.

“Our relationship with BioServe is highly synergistic. Both companies believe that any epidemiological program will be more productive with access to high quality validated clinical samples that have been effectively categorized across a validated genetic ancestry platform,” said Richard Gabriel, CEO and President of DNAPrint® Genomics. “By removing the question of ancestry from a clinical sample researchers can more readily evaluate which medicines will produce side effects within certain ethnic groups, and which medicines will work for the widest spectrum of a population.”

“Through this partnership with DNAPrint Genomics we can provide the medical research community with the best defined clinical sample set in the world,” said Dr. Kevin Krenitsky, CEO of BioServe. “Additionally, we are able to uniquely support the application of our samples with services that include sample extraction and preparation, genotyping, and gene expression. Now that we are able to add the genetic ancestry component to our samples, a new layer of sample data quality and analysis can be provided that was not previously available to researchers.”

Both companies are also capable of providing genotyping services, and between the two companies the following platforms are available: Beckman Ultra High Throughput SNP Platform, Illumina SNP Golden Gate, and Sequenom iPLEX. In addition, several gene RNA expression analysis platforms are available including Differential Expression Pattern Display Technology which has an RNA expression sensitivity 10 to 100 times greater than either of Affymetrix or Illumina gene expression profile technologies.

DNAPrintâ„¢ Genomics, Inc.

DNAPrintâ„¢ Genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services in two primary markets: biomedical and forensics. DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, develops diagnostic tests and theranostic products (drug/test combinations) using the Company’s proprietary ancestry-informed genetic marker studies combined with proprietary computational modeling technology. Computational Biology and Pharmacogenomics services are also offered externally to biopharmaceutical companies. The Company’s first theranostic product is PT-401, a “Super EPO” (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (with end stage renal disease). Preclinical and clinical development of all the Company’s drug candidates will benefit from simulated pre-trials to design actual trials better and are targeted to patients with genetic profiles indicating their propensity to have the best clinical responses. DNAPrint is proud of its continued dedication to developing and supplying new technological advances in law enforcement and consumer ancestry heritage interests. Please refer to www.dnaprint.com for information on law enforcement and consumer applications which include DNAWITNESS(TM), RETINOME(TM), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito are two tests offered by the Company. The results from these tests may be used as identification tools when a DNA sample is deteriorated or compromised or other DNA testing fails to yield acceptable results.

About BioServe

BioServe (www.bioserve.com) is a leader in the processing, development, and validation of diagnostic tests for the practice of personalized, predictive and preventive medicine. Leading pharma, biotech and diagnostic firms collaborate with BioServe to identify and validate markers that cause disease while correlating clinical and molecular data to develop new diagnostic tests promoting wellness around the world. BioServe offers the Global Repository®, a growing library of over 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data from 140,000 consented and anonymized patients from four continents. Leveraging BioServe’s robust genomic analytical services, technology, Global Repository and CLIA-certified laboratory, collaborators gain a complete, highly efficient platform for processing diagnostic test results and identifying genomic markers for powerful new assays. BioServe has headquarters in Beltsville, MD and Hyderabad, India. For more information please visit www.bioserve.com, e-mail info@bioserve.com or call 301-470-3362.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint’s products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation. DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

Posted under Business and Investment, Clinical Trials, Collaborations, DNA Reasearch, North America, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

Nanion’s Technology Nominated for Presidential Innovation Award

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:43 Written by admin Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:43

Munich , Oct 11, 2007 :  The planar patch clamp technology used in a family of automated electrophysiology products developed and marketed by Nanion Technologies GmbH in Munich , Germany , is among four technological and scientific innovations that have been nominated for this year’s Deutscher Zukunftspreis (German Future Award). The nomination of the project “Small Holes – Big Effects: Cell Physiology in a Chip Format” represented by Nanion’s CEO, Niels Fertig as well as CSO Andrea Brüggemann and Chairman of the Board Jan C. Behrends (University of Freiburg) was today announced in a press conference by Dr. Gert Haller, Secretary of State in the Office of the Federal President in Berlin. With the Deutscher Zukunftspreis, awarded once a year, the German Federal President honours outstanding achievements in Science and Technology. In their nominations for Germany’s most prestigious research award along with the Leibniz Prize, the Jury also appraises the commercial and employment-creation potential of scientific innovations. The prize will be bestowed on one of the four nominated teams by Federal President Horst Köhler on December 6.

Nanion Technologies is a start-up company founded in 2002 by a team of researchers (Dr. Niels Fertig, Dr. Robert H. Blick and Dr. Jan C. Behrends) from the Center for Nanoscience of the University of Munich and the company is run by the management team consisting of Dr. Niels Fertig (CEO), Dr. Andrea Brüggemann (CSO) and Michael George (CTO). Nanion has developed and successfully marketed the Port-a-Patch, a miniaturized patch clamp device, and, since 2006, the Patchliner, a fully automated higher throughput patch-clamp robot. Both devices use the NPC- patch clamp chips which are based on the research which has now been nominated for the award. They replace the traditional glass pipette used in the technique of patch clamping (E. Neher, B. Sakmann, Nobel Prize 1991) and enable automated and higher-throughput testing of potentially ion-channel active substances.

Links:

http://www.nanion.de

http://www.deutscher-zukunftspreis.de/newsite/nominierte/index.shtml

Posted under Europe, Grants and Awards, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

2nd Imaging in Drug Development conference 23rd & 24th of January 2008, London, UK

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:36 Written by admin Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:36

Following on from the success of the 2007 Imaging in Clinical Trials meeting, ACI is proud to introduce the 2nd Imaging event – Imaging in Drug Development Conference.

The conference will address the latest advances and key issues driving the application of imaging technologies and techniques in preclinical and clinical drug development.
The Agenda

Throughout the 2 days you will have the opportunity to hear from your industry peers and discover the hottest developments in the employment of imaging techniques in drug development:

· Determine the importance of imaging in therapy monitoring

· Consider key strategies in image data handling and analysis

· Discover the developments in the integration of imaging biomarkers in preclinical and clinical studies

· Examine the role of imaging across therapeutic areas – including oncology, cardiology and CNS

· Understand the challenges in translating from bench to bedside through imaging

· Learn more about the role of nuclear medicine in the preclinical phase

An Interactive 2 Days

ACI’s meetings offer the perfect opportunity to discover the latest updates and to discuss your own research challenges and solutions with your peers through an interactive and informative 2 day programme.
· Hear from an outstanding line-up of the sector’s leading researchers involved in industry and academia – and leading the field in imaging studies

· Network informally with a relatively small, targeted group of senior-level researchers, executives and decision-makers from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
· Learn more about your peers’ research, network with key industry leaders and your industry colleagues

· Discuss the latest challenges and developments in this rapidly changing and growing sector of the industry

· Participate in roundtable sessions – giving you the chance to discuss the latest issues with your colleagues – and the speakers – in an open, informal and intimate setting.

Thanks to our PartnersAcademy of Molecular Imaging ; Future Drugs ; Next Generation Pharmaceutical ; Pharma Marketletter ; PharmiWeb ; Biophotonics International ; Clinical Contract Research Association ; PharmaVoice ; World Pharmaceutical Frontiers ; Clinical Contract Research Association ; Pharmaceutical Technology; HT Screenings ; GenomicsProteomics.com ; Labnews ; Drug Development Technology ; American Pharmaceutical Reviews

Posted under Europe, Europe, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

CLC bio solves bioinformatics data management challenges with release of database solution

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:27 Written by admin Sunday, 14 October 2007 07:27

Aarhus, Denmark — October 12th, 2007 — CLC bio, the world’s leading bioinformatics solution provider, today announced a November release of CLC Bioinformatics Database. This powerful and versatile database solution – currently in beta-testing – enables users of CLC bio’s DNA, RNA, and protein sequence analysis software to store and work on their sequence data in a central, shared, and secure relational database.

CLC bio’s new database solution is scalable and fully customizable, making it an ideal choice for many research organizations, from small university departments and clinical labs to large biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The solution is aimed at organizations wishing to profit from the considerable business value of selecting a modern and flexible bioinformatics platform.

Mr. Jan Lomholdt, Vice President of Global Sales at CLC bio states
With this powerful and highly customizable solution for data sharing and efficient workflow support, CLC bio is leaping forward. Many academic and industrial customers have asked for a solution to share, manage and secure their valuable bioinformatics data, and we are proud to announce that we – as always – have developed what our customers ask for.

CLC Bioinformatics Database raises the bar for what users can expect from a database solution, as the development team has focused heavily on eliminating classic obstacles such as different operating systems, limited support for database formats, or limited access to a central storage facility. As with all other of CLC bio’s solutions, CLC Bioinformatics Database is cross-platform, running on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Additionally, this solution will enable users across various workgroups to work on data in a central, shared, and secure relational database.

For the benefit of the diverse base of more than 50,000 existing users of CLC bio’s solutions, CLC Bioinformatics Database integrates and runs smoothly with several types of databases, including Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. Furthermore it is the customer’s choice whether the solution should run as a stand-alone database, or if it should be fully customized and integrated with the customer’s existing database or even multiple databases.

For more information on CLC Bioinformatics Database, go to:
www.clcbio.com/database

About CLC bio
CLC bio is the world’s leading full-service bioinformatics solution provider, solely focusing on the development of bioinformatics: software, hardware, data analysis, and custom-designed bioinformatics algorithms. CLC bio is an Apple solution provider and value added reseller.

CLC bio’s mission is to be among the most innovative bioinformatics companies in the 21st century. This is realized through:

  • Development of bioinformatics software and hardware based on the latest scientific findings
  • User-friendly, integrated and intuitive cross-platform software solutions
  • Continuous focus on customer needs and superior customer service
  • Frequent product updates including the latest IT technologies and bioinformatics algorithms
  • A flexible IT architecture, enabling customers to buy or develop individualized solutions at a reasonable price

Posted under ChemInformatics, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

Novartis weighs up label-free HTS for drug discovery

Last Updated on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:37 Written by Fred Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:37

Researchers from Novartis have published results using high-throughput screening (HTS) mass spectrometry (MS) techniques for the identification of enzyme inhibitors.

HTS techniques have become an important part of the drug discovery process allowing researchers to sift through massive libraries of compounds to find ‘hits’ that are active against a therapeutic target of interest.

This latest research, published as an early view article in the journal Analytical Chemistry by researchers from the Discovery Technologies and Diabetes and Metabolism divisions of Novartis‘ Institute for Biomedical Research, has assessed the usage of MS-HTS for large compound library screening.

Most functional activity-based programmes discover hits by detecting a change in the activity of a target enzyme in the presence of potential inhibitors or activators.

These changes in activity are commonly detected by using substrates that have been labelled with either radioisotopes or fluorescent probes.

According to the authors, labelled substrates do not always function exactly the same as native substrates and the developing methods to incorporate these labels can add significantly to method-development times.

MS can detect the products of enzymatic reactions without the need to label the substrates and the authors believe that this could potentially improve data quality achieved using the screens.

However, according to the authors, until recently throughput has been the major limiting factor in using MS for HTS and while using multiple instruments could be used to solve the problem, this would prove expensive.

“One contributing factor to the lack of large-scale [MS-HTS] studies is that instrumentation allowing unattended, fully automated analysis of thousands of samples per day with automated data analysis is not readily available,” write the authors.

The researchers looked at three different MS-HTS techniques, four-way parallel multiplexed electrospray liquid chromatography (LC) tandem MS (MUX-LC/MS/MS), four-way parallel staggered gradient liquid chromatography tandem MS (LC/MS/MS) and eight-way staggered flow injection MS/MS following 384-well plate solid phase extraction (SPE).

Each of these methods makes use of parallel autosamplers to enable more efficient use of the Waters Quattro Micro triple quadrupole MS instruments.

The techniques described in the paper allowed unattended analyses of screens of over 175,000 compounds, with a 384-well plate taking around 2 hours to analyse.

The researchers conducted two inhibitor screening campaigns using the techniques to show that they could be used reliably to detect inhibition of an (unnamed) enzyme by compounds in a library.

“In comparison to ultra-HTS methods (>100,000 wells per day), these MS methods are relatively slow (<10,000 wells per day), making single compound screening of more than 1m compounds impractical at this time,” write the authors.

However, because the screens require no custom labelling of reagents or the development of assays to measure labelling success considerable time can be saved during the method development phase.

When combined with ‘multiple compound per well’ screens that can increase analysis times by a factor of five, the MS screens compare favourably to traditional HTS methods.

“Although the MS analysis is relatively slow, overall timelines of MS-based screens from concept to hit list are similar to those of traditional HTS and ultra-HTS-based screens,” conclude the authors. 

Posted under Discoveries, Innovations and Patents, Europe, HT Screening, North America, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

Cellexus Biosystems appoints System C Industrie as its distributor in France

Last Updated on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:33 Written by Fred Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:33 

Cellexus Biosystems plc (PLUS Markets: CBIO), the specialist in the design, manufacture and commercialisation of novel disposable technology for growing cells, has entered into a distribution agreement with System C Industrie, France.
System C Industrie distributes an extensive range of instruments and applications for physico-chemical analysis and industrial bioreactors. The Company’s headquarters are located in the South of France at St Paul Trois Chateaux.
Commenting on the agreement, Dr Ian Taylor, Commercial Director of Cellexus Biosystems, said:  
“We are very excited about the relationship with System C and this continues our strategy within the European Economic area to partner with organisations that have well developed effective local sales channels. In selecting our partner for France, we looked hard for a company that had relevant experience, reputation and expertise in the fermentation and bioreactor sector. We also required a distributor that could provide our customers with the best service and support available. Cellexus Biosystems and System C will be attending EUROBIO in Lille, at which the System C team will introduce the Cellexus CellMaker family of products to their customers.”  
Yannick Carfantan, Managing Director of System C Industrie, commented: 

“Cellexus Biosystems’ range of product with its optimised air-lift technology for bioreactors and fermentors represents the perfect complement to the System C Industrie range of lab and industrial reactors. We firmly believe that this technology, along with its scale-up potential, will become a major player in the coming years throughout the Biotech and the Pharmaceutical industry in Europe and Worldwide. For this reason System C Industrie will distribute the Cellexus Biosystems bioreactors and will devote its energy and skills to promote this new range of products through the French territory, where a huge potential has been identified by our team of sales engineers. System C Industrie Biotech team is thrilled about that new relationship with Cellexus.

For the first time the CellMaker Lite2™, in its 10-50 litre version will be introduced in France during the EUROBIO exhibition in Lille from September 26th to 28th. This major Biotech event is the perfect launching platform for new systems and a gathering of the most significant players in the biotech business in Europe. System C Industries’ major accounts will be in attendance and will be introduced to the CellMaker Lite2. This new association sounds like the perfect match at the right time.”

Posted under Business and Investment, Europe, Press Releases  |  Comments Off

BIO-Europe 2007 Plays Host to the Largest Number of International Delegations in its 13 Year History

Last Updated on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:31 Written by Fred Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:31

Munich, Germany, and Washington D.C., Sept. 17, 2007 – Globalization is the nature of the life sciences industry. EBD Group and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announce that BIO-Europe 2007 will include an even greater number of international delegations of biotech companies seeking strategic biotech partnerships than previous years.

“We are very pleased that delegations from so many countries will participate in BIO-Europe this year,” said Sara Jane Demy, vice president of business development and investor relations at the Biotechnology Industry Organization. “Our attendees seek the best deal making opportunities without regard to national borders. There is no geographical stronghold for the best science.”

Part of the anticipated 2,000 attendees from 40 countries – making BIO-Europe 2007 the world’s largest stand alone biotech partnering event outside the U.S. – will comprise 21 international delegations including India, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Australia, Spain and Hungary. This provides delegates with an unprecedented opportunity to access and collaborate with key executives and stakeholders from leading biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and financial organizations from around the world.

“The BIO-Europe 2007 partnering conference is a unique nexus for biotech companies and deal makers from all parts of the world seeking to identify new business opportunities and strategic relationships essential to their future success,” said Carola Schropp, managing partner of EBD Group.

About BIO-Europe 2007

BIO-Europe 2007 is the preeminent stand alone or ex-U.S. partnering conference for the biotechnology industry developed by EBD Group in partnership with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Delegates from all parts of the biotechnology value-chain come to BIO-Europe to efficiently identify, engage and enter into the strategic relationships that drive their business successfully forward. It is anticipated that this year’s BIO-Europe partnering event will draw 2,000 industry attendees from almost 40 countries, representing more than 1,100 companies for three days of high-level networking. BIO-Europe features the industry’s most advanced Web-based partnering system that delegates will use to generate in excess of 7,000 partnering meetings. BIO-Europe features an exceptional international exhibition where companies, organizations and biotech regions can showcase their offerings. Additional networking opportunities will abound at evening and special events. BIO-Europe is co-organized by EBD Group and BIO, in partnership with European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises.

About EBD Group

EBD Group International, LLC is the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry. Since 1993, firms in the life sciences have leveraged EBD Group’s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Group’s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) include BIO-Europe (co-organized with BIO), the preeminent stand-alone or ex-U.S. partnering conference for the biotechnology industry; BIO-Europe Spring; the investor conference, BioEquity Europe (co-organized with BioCentury Publications and BIO); and the convergent medical technology partnering conference, BioDevice Partnering. EBD’s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Group’s consultants can provide hands-on assistance for firms seeking to in- or out-license products and technologies. EBD Group has offices in San Diego, Munich and London. For more information visit www.ebdgroup.com.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology. www.bio.org

Posted under Collaborations, Europe, Press Releases, USA and Canada  |  Comments Off

BioServe Signs Co-Distribution Deal with NeoCodex

Last Updated on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:24 Written by Fred Tuesday, 2 October 2007 02:24

Companies Gain Expanded Access to Human Tissue Samples Needed for Medical Research and Discovery

 
Beltsville, MD, September 17, 2007 – Bioserve today bolstered its Global Repository® of tissue, DNA and serum samples with the announcement of a joint distribution deal with NeoCodex SL.  Headquartered out of Seville, Spain, and dually focused on advancing biomarker discovery and maintaining operation of Europe’s largest commercial biobank, the synergistic alliance now provides collaborators working with both companies, expanded access to human samples deemed critical in advancing medical research. 

Through this agreement, BioServe will now be able to provide customers with access to clinically annotated human specimens from the uniquely homogenous Spanish population. Featuring a nationwide network capable of acquiring DNA, FFPE’s (fixed formalin paraffin embedded tissue), fluids, and tissues, the NeoCodex biobank continues to grow through  continual procurement of samples donated from patients afflicted with the most pharmaceutically relevant disease states, as well as from patients  affected with rare neuropsychological disorders.   

In return, NeoCodex gains access to BioServe’s Global Repository, a growing library of over 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data from 140,000 consented and anonymized patients collected on four continents.

“We are committed to making the Global Repository a prized asset for the life sciences industry by continually providing a data set unparalleled in both its integrity and comprehensiveness. Working with NeoCodex, we further extend the range of DNA and tissue samples that researchers can use to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and drugs in a myriad of diseases,” stated Dr. Kevin Krenitsky, Chief Executive Officer, BioServe.

“We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with BioServe whose Global Repository is widely considered the industry’s gold standard for biological samples. With access to the Global Repository, we are able to provide our customers throughout Spain and Europe with case/controls data sets covering most every major disease,” said Dr. Enrique Vázquez Tatay, Chief Executive Officer of NeoCodex. 

About NeoCodex SL

NeoCodex was founded in 2002 by some of Spain’s top scientists, who together, shared a vision of bringing the best of biomaterials and innovative methods to the world of genomic discovery, diagnostics and drug development.

 

Coupling Europe’s largest repository of DNA and tissue samples with a breakthrough approach to whole genome association analysis (WGA), NeoCodex provides pharmaceutical, government and academic partners with a compelling array of study services– from design, subject recruitment, biomarker discovery and validation through to patenting and publication. For more information please visit www.neocodex.com.

About BioServe

BioServe is a leader in the processing, development, and validation of diagnostic tests for the practice of personalized, predictive and preventive medicine including DNA methylation analysis services. Leading pharma, biotech and diagnostic firms collaborate with BioServe to identify and validate markers that cause disease while correlating clinical and molecular data to develop new diagnostic tests promoting wellness around the world. BioServe offers the Global Repository®, a growing tissue bank of over 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data from 140,000 consented and anonymized patients from four continents. Leveraging BioServe’s robust genomic analysis services, technology, Global Repository and CLIA-certified laboratory, collaborators gain a complete, highly efficient platform for processing diagnostic test results and identifying genomic markers for powerful new assays. BioServe has headquarters in Beltsville, MD and Hyderabad, India. For more information please visit www.bioserve.com or call 301-470-3362.

Posted under Business and Investment, Press Releases, USA and Canada  |  Comments Off

Newer Entries »