Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category

Inaugural Advances in Synthetic Biology 2008 6-7 March 2008, Cambridge, UK

Last Updated on Monday, 7 January 2008 12:59 Written by admin Monday, 7 January 2008 12:59

The essence of synthetic biology is that techniques used to build non-biological systems in the engineering and computational sciences could potentially be used to build novel synthetic biosystems. The sessions will develop the following topics:

Regulatory, IP, Ethical and Business Issues
Protein, Metabolic & Therapeutic Engineering
Design & Fabrication of Parts: Devices and Systems
Cell & Tissue Engineering

Advances in Synthetic Biology, will be held on 6-7 March, at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, home to the Sanger and European Bioinformatics Institutes in Cambridge suburb. Both historically and today, the beautiful city of Cambridge is positioned at the forefront of scientific advancement and appears to be an ideal venue for such a meeting.

Alongside an exhibition of selected scientific posters and service providers, Select Biosciences is organising a two day event gathering world players in the field.

Peter Ghazal, Director of Division of Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh University, UK
Andreas Herrmann, Professor for Polymer Chemistry and Bioengineering, University of Groningen, NL
Alfonso Jaramillo, Assistant Professor, Ecole Polytechnique, FR
Juan Poyatos, Associate Professor, Spanish National Research Council, ES
Laurie Zoloth, Professor, Northwestern University, US
And many more…

To guarantee a high attendance at Europe’s largest conference dedicated to synthetic biology, Select Biosciences will maintain their traditional low registration fees and group booking discounts. Students will also benefit from special rates.

All conference passes include entrance to the sessions, the exhibition, as well as conference documentation, lunch and refreshments

To further increase the value of their trip, delegates can opt to attend a free guided tour of the Sanger Institute, the largest sequencing facilities in Europe! Early booking is necessary as numbers are strictly limited.

SyntheticBiologyAdvances.com

About Select Conferences http://www.selectconferences.com

The conferences division of Select Biosciences Ltd. is focused on organising specialist biomedical meetings each year. Experts from both academia and commerce are invited to present timely information from current research through to commercial implementation of new technologies. These events also provide a unique networking facility and the opportunity to reach a highly targeted scientific audience.

Posted under Europe, Europe, Press Releases | Comments Off

AIDS researchers find protein that greatly boosts HIV infection

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 December 2007 05:04 Written by Fred Tuesday, 18 December 2007 05:04

German AIDS researchers have discovered a protein common in semen that boosts the infectious potential of HIV 100,000-fold – a remarkable finding that may show how the virus can spread through sexual contact and also suggests new strategies to stop the epidemic.

If scientists can find a drug or chemical that blocks these infection-promoting proteins, it would go a long way toward development of a microbicide, a vaginal cream or gel that could protect sex partners against AIDS.

What is catching scientists’ attention is the 100,000-fold increase. “I was so surprised that I did not believe the numbers,” said Dr. Frank Kirchhoff, leader of the University of Ulm laboratory that found the protein. “But we did the experiment multiple times, and the results were always the same.”

The discovery was made possible by advanced techniques in laboratory screening for tiny proteins. There are more than 900 different kinds in human semen, and these proteins in turn break down into smaller molecular chains that also may carry out important biological tasks.

In this case, researchers at the University of Ulm were screening hundreds of different molecules from semen samples in the hope of finding some that naturally blocked HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Instead, they stumbled upon protein fragments that do the opposite. The fragments dramatically boost HIV infection by clustering into microscopic rafts that ferry crowds of virus particles to cell surfaces, like landing craft disgorging invaders on a beach.

Their findings were released today in advance of Friday’s publication of the journal Cell.

Although HIV has been understood to be a sexually transmitted disease for a quarter century, relatively little work has been done in analyzing what role semen may play in its transmission. And, it seems, few scientists have spent much time analyzing what Kirchhoff calls “pools” of donated semen. “People haven’t dissected the individual components of semen,” he said.

The latest work is the product of an emerging field in biotechnology called proteomics, the study of the molecular structure and function of proteins.

The new study suggests that scientists may have been missing something very important. “This is one of the most interesting new perspectives on HIV transmission to emerge in years,” said Dr. Warner Greene, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology in San Francisco.

Greene said the work may solve a mystery that has puzzled AIDS researchers – why a virus that appears weakly infectious in laboratory dishes can spread explosively through sexual contact.

When researchers try to infect human cells under a microscope with HIV, it takes between 1,000 and 100,000 particles of the virus to cause a successful infection. That’s weak, as viral infectivity goes. But when the proteins found by Kirchhoff are added to the mix, it is possible to start a successful infection with as few as three particles of virus.

If such a weak virus can be turned into a monster by a molecule present in semen, it raises the possibility that knocking that molecule out – or even hobbling it – could make HIV suddenly much more difficult to spread.

Greene is so enthusiastic about this discovery that he has started a project to find ways of blocking the protein. But he concedes that this search will not be quick or easy.

Dr. Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the science behind the German study is impressive, but the laboratory dish findings are a long way from producing a practical solution for people. “It is a surprising finding, but I would be cautious about how important this is going to be,” he said.

Fauci also noted that sexual transmission is only one route of HIV infection. Women can pass the virus to their newborns with breast milk, where presumably no similar HIV-promoting proteins exist. It is also clear that other factors, such as genital ulcers caused by diseases including herpes and syphilis, have a well-documented role in enhancing transmission of the virus.

University of Pittsburgh researcher Dr. Ian McGowan, a principal investigator with the Microbicide Trials Network – which coordinates National Institutes of Health studies in that field – was skeptical that the results would lead to any immediate advances in HIV prevention. He noted that a new generation of microbicide made from AIDS drugs has already blocked the virus in test tube studies and is headed for clinical trials, so there may be no advantage to a new approach targeting the infection-promoting proteins.

What happens in the laboratory, he said, may have little bearing on what works in people. “New compounds may block HIV in the test tube or in blood cells, but in reality these (microbicide) products need to be used intra-vaginally or intra-rectally,” he said.

The latest findings, however, are almost certain to prompt a closer look at the role these proteins play in HIV transmission. UCSF virologist Dr. Jay Levy, one of the first to isolate the AIDS virus in the early years of the epidemic, said studies may now be conducted to see how prevalent the protein is among at-risk populations. One example could be among HIV-positive men who have sex with unprotected partners, who nevertheless remain uninfected. Semen from the infected men could be tested to see if the protein is there, or is somehow naturally blocked.

The German researchers acknowledge that they do not know precisely how or why the protein they found has such a marked effect on HIV infectivity. The tiny rafts of protein fragments are called fibrils. They are created when sections of a large and common protein in semen, known as PAP, break off and cluster.

Fibrils are thought to resemble a loose collection of sticks, and numerous virus particles hitch a ride on them. It is possible that the sticky fibrils themselves attach to cell surfaces and make it easier for their HIV passengers to gain entry.

One of the more curious twists about the findings is a link between the HIV-enhancing fibrils and Alzheimer’s disease. These fibrils are structurally very similar to biological debris that clutters up the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients. It was a totally unrelated finding, that the amyloid fibrils in the brain disease seemed to promote HIV, that led researchers to suspect it when screens found similar fibrils in semen.

Kirchhoff named the structures Semen-Derived Enhancer of Virus Infection, or SEVI.

The discovery is the second major finding of note in HIV research by Kirchhoff’s laboratory. In April, researchers there used a somewhat similar screening process to find in the waste products from kidney dialysis a human protein that appears to naturally block many strains of HIV.

Posted under Drug Development, Europe, Europe, HIV Research, Press Releases | Comments Off

XXth International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry EFMC-ISMC 08

Last Updated on Saturday, 1 December 2007 07:33 Written by admin Saturday, 1 December 2007 07:33

Vienna, Austria, August 31 – September 4, 2008
The EFMC-ISMC 2008 Symposium is organized by the Austrian Chemical Society on behalf of the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC).

This symposium is recognized worldwide as one of the leading Medicinal Chemistry meetings, as proven by its large international attendance, which varies between 1200 and 1500 participants from all over Europe, but also from the United States and Asia.

The Symposium will focus on important new scientific and technological developments in the drug discovery process; particularly those relevant to medicinal chemistry. The meeting will create an environment for in-depth, informed discussions highlighting the importance of medicinal chemistry in the pharmaceutical industry, academia and drug research. It will also provide opportunities to re-emphasise the crucial position of medicinal chemistry in the drug discovery process and its pivotal role in linking and exploiting the associated biological sciences. Therefore, ISMC-2008 intends to create a forum for all scientists interested in medicinal chemistry and related fields.

Programme

Plenary Lectures

Dr. Magid ABOU-GHARBIA
(WYETH RESEARCH, Princeton, United States)

Prof. Chris DOBSON
(UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, Cambridge, United Kingdom)

Prof. Paul HERRLING
(NOVARTIS INTERNATIONAL, Basel, Switzerland)

Prof. Barbara IMPERIALI
(MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Cambridge, United States)

Prof. Steven V. LEY
(UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, Cambridge, United Kingdom)

GlaxoSmithKline Award forOutstanding Achievement in the Field of Chemical Biology
EFFMC Award Lectures

The Nauta Award for Pharmacochemistry

The UCB-Ehrlich Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry

The Prous Institute-Overton and Meyer Award for Technologies in Drug Discovery
1. Novel Lead Finding Approaches 2. Chemistry Strategies to Reduce Attrition in Drug Discovery 3. Emerging Drugs

Session Chair
Dr. Hans-Ulrich STILZ
(SANOFI-AVENTIS, Frankfurt/Main, Germany)
Title to be determined
Dr. Jeff BLANEY
(STRUCTURAL GENOMIX, San Diego, United States)
Title to be determined
Prof. Roderick E. HUBBARD
(UNIVERSITY OF YORK, York, United Kingdom)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Geoffrey STEMP
(GLAXOSMITHKLINE, Harlow, United Kingdom)
From Fragment to Clinic
Dr. David REES
(ASTEX THERAPEUTICS, Cambridge, United Kingdom)
Chemical Strategies for Successful Clinical Development
Dr. Christopher N. JOHNSON
(GLAXOSMITHKLINE, Harlow, United Kingdom)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Bernd RIEDL
(BAYER HEALTHCARE, Wuppertal, Germany)
The Discovery and Development of Rivaroxaban
Dr. Susanne ROEHRIG
(BAYER HEALTHCARE, Wuppertal, Germany)
The Discovery and Development of a Selective PI3K-Alpha Inhibitor
Dr. Carlos GARCIA-ECHEVERRIA
(NOVARTIS PHARMA, Basel, Switzerland)
Discovery of TMC278: a Next Generation NNRTI Drug, Highly Active against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1
Dr. JÃ©rÃ´me GUILLEMONT
(JOHNSON & JOHNSON PRD, Val de Reuil, France)

4. Kinase Selectivity-Is it Necessary? (ACS) 5. Predictive ADME/Tox Methods: What to Apply When? 6. Macromolecular and Polymeric Drugs

Session Chair
Prof. David ROTELLA
(WYETH RESEARCH, Princeton, United States)
Title to be determined
Dr. Dennis POWELL
(WYETH RESEARCH, Pearl River, United States)
Title to be determined
Dr. Louis LOMBARDO
(BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, , United States)
Title to be determined
Dr. Andrew THOMAS
(ASTRAZENECA R&D, Macclesfield, United Kingdom)

Session Chair
Dr. Scott BOYER
(ASTRAZENECA, MÃ¶lndal, Sweden)
Predictive ADME: Examples from the Real World
Dr. Andrew Mark DAVIS
(ASTRAZENECA R&D, Loughborough, United Kingdom)
Virtual Methods for Predicting Off-Target Pharmacology
Dr. Jordi MESTRES
(IMIM AND UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA, Barcelona, Spain)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Prof. Abraham J. DOMB
(HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM, Jerusalem, Israel)
Keynote
to be selected
Title to be determined
Dr. Ronit SATCHI-FAIRANO
(TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

7. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (ACS)Â 8. Imaging Ligands and Biomarkers (EUFEPS) 9. Natural Products as Starting Points in Drug Discovery

Session Chair
Dr. Jeffrey ALBERT
(ASTRAZENECA, Wilmington, United States)
Building the Perfect Beast: Designing a Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Paradigm
Dr. Edward ZARTLER
(MERCK RESEARCH LABORATORIES, Rahway, United States)
Fragment-Based Discovery: What Has it Achieved so far?
Dr. Alexander ALEX
(PFIZER, Sandwich, United Kingdom)
Fragment-Based Methods and the Discovery of BACE-1 Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s
Dr. Jeffrey ALBERT
(ASTRAZENECA, Wilmington, United States)

Session Chair
Prof. Pia VUORELA
(Ã…BO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY, Turku, Finland)
Fluorometry and FRET in Measuring Biomarkers and Monitoring Cell Signaling Cascade
Dr. Ilkka HEMMILA
(PERKINELMER LIFE SCIENCES, Turku, Finland)
Mass Sensitive Ligands Useful for Biomarker Discovery and Validation
Dr. Peter SCHULZ-KNAPPE
(PROTEOME SCIENCES, Cobham, United Kingdom)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Erden BANOGLU
(GAZI UNIVERSITY, Ankara, Turkey)
Natural Products as Tools to Identify Novel Drug Targets and Novel Therapeutic Interventions
Dr. Gunda I. GEORG
(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, United States)
How to Use The Structural Diversity of Natural Products for Drug Discovery
Dr. Philipp KRASTEL
(NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, Basel, Switzerland)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

10. Novel Approaches for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases 11. Type 2 Diabetes: The Incretin System 12. Progress in COPD and Asthma Therapy

Session Chair
Dr. Magid ABOU-GHARBIA
(WYETH RESEARCH, Princeton, United States)
Title to be determined
Prof. Hilal A. LASHUEL
(EPFL – ECUBLENS, Lausanne, Switzerland)
Title to be determined
Dr. Steve JACOBSEN
(WYETH RESEARCH, Princeton, United States)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Prof. Koen AUGUSTYNS
(UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP, Antwerp, Belgium)
Discovery of Sitagliptin and Rational Design of Other Novel DPP-4 Inhibitors
Dr. Tesfaye BIFTU
(MERCK & CO., Rahway, United States)
Peptidic and Nonpeptidic Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists
Dr. Jesper LAU
(NOVO NORDISK, Maaloev, Denmark)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Matthias GRAUERT
(BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM, Biberach, Germany)
Recent Developments in CCR3 Antagonists
Dr. George V. DE LUCCA
(BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, Princeton, United States)
Discovery of Potent and Highly Isoform Selective PI3Kg Inhibitors
Dr. Thomas RÃœCKLE
(MERCK SERONO, Geneva, Switzerland)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

13. Allosteric Modulation and GPCR Drug Discovery 14. Oncology 15. Immunology & Immunomodulation

Session Chair
Prof. Rob LEURS
(VU UNIVERSITY AMSTERDAM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
The Potential of Allosteric Modulation for GPCR Drug Discovery
Prof. Arthur CHRISTOPOULOS
(MONASH UNIVERSITY, Clayton, Australia)
Therapeutic Opportunities for Small Molecule Modulators of Chemokine Receptors
Dr. Thomas J. SCHALL
(CHEMOCENTRYX, Mountain View, United States)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Graham WARRELLOW
(UCB SA, Cambridge, United Kingdom)
Eg5 Inhibitors
Dr. Christopher COX
(MERCK RESEARCH LABORATORIES, West Point, United States)
Allosteric Akt Inhibitors
Dr. George HARTMANN
(MERCK RESEARCH LABORATORIES, West-Point, United States)
PLK1 Inhibitor (BI-2536)
Dr. Matthias HOFFMANN
(BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM, Biberach, Germany)

Session Chair
Dr. Katerina LEFTHERIS
(BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, Princeton, NJ, United States)
Current Aspects and Future Trends in Immunomodulation
Dr. Murray MCKINNON
(BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, Princeton, United States)
Advances in Targeting Glucocorticoids
Dr. Hartmut REHWINKEL
(SCHERING, Berlin, Germany)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

16. Antispsychotic Targets 17. Antivirals 18. Pain

Session Chair
Prof. Klaus P. BOGESO
(H. LUNDBECK, Valby, Denmark)
NK3 Receptors
Prof. Klaus SIMONSEN
(H. LUNDBECK, Valby, Denmark)
PDE10 Inhibitors
Dr. Patrick Robert VERHOEST
(PFIZER GLOBAL RESEARCH, Groton, United States)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Maria Jose CAMARASA
(SEQT, Madrid, Spain)
Title to be determined
Dr. Jan BALZARINI
(REGA INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, Leuven, Belgium)
Lethal Mutagenesis as a New Antiviral Strategy
Prof. Esteban DOMINGO
(UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID, Madrid, Spain)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Dr. Mark DUGGAN
(AMGEN, Cambridge, United States)
Title to be determined
Dr. Stefan MCDONOUGH
(AMGEN, Cambridge, United States)
Nav1.7 Inhibitors â€“ Discovery and Development
Dr. Joseph L. DUFFY
(MERCK RESEARCH LABORATORIES, Rahway, United States)
Oral communication
Dr. Graham N. MAW
(PFIZER, Sandwich, United Kingdom)

19. Exploring the Chemical Space 20. Chemokines 21. Systems Level Research Informs Drug Target Identification and Therapy Design

Session Chair
Profs. Herbert WALDMANN & STEFAN WETZEL
(MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Dortmund, Germany)
Title to be determined
Prof. Gisbert SCHNEIDER
(JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE UNIVERSITY, Frankfurt, Germany)
Title to be determined
Dr. Antonio MACCHIARULO
(UNIVERSITY OF PERUGIA, Perugia, Italy)
Title to be determined
Prof. Jean-Louis REYMOND
(UNIVERSITÃ„T BERN, Bern, Switzerland)
Title to be determined
Dr. Stefan WETZEL
(MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Dortmund, Germany)

Session Chair
Prof. Gerhard ECKER
(UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA & EFMC, Vienna, Austria)
Title to be determined
Prof. Nobutaka FUJII
(KYOTO UNIVERSITY, Kyoto, Japan)
Selective Dual CCR2/5 Antagonists
Dr. Wolfgang MILTZ
(NOVARTIS PHARMA, Basel, Switzerland)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Prof. Harel WEINSTEIN
(CORNELL UNIVERSITY, New York, United States)
Drug Discovery, Drug Delivery and Therapeutic Monitoring by Molecular, Cellular and Functional Imaging of Atherothrombosis
Dr. Zahi A. FAYAD
(MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, New York, United States)
Understanding Drug Mechanisms and Designing Therapy at the Systems Level of the Functional Human Interactome
Prof. Gianni CESARENI
(UNIVERSITY OF ROME ‘TOR VERGATA’, Rome, Italy)
Special Structural, Dynamic and Functional Characteristics of Membrane Proteins and their Signaling Partners that Determine the Mode and Putative Success of Therapy Design Targeting Cellular Signaling Systems.
Prof. Harel WEINSTEIN
(CORNELL UNIVERSITY, New York, United States)

22. New Computational Approaches Supporting Drug Design 23. Druggability of Protein-Protein Interactions 24. Systems Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

Session Chair
Dr. Jordi MESTRES
(IMIM AND UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA, Barcelona, Spain)
Overview on New Computational Tools Supporting Drug Design
Prof. Tudor I. OPREA
(UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, Albuquerque, United States)
Novel Tools for Data Gathering
Dr. Muthukumarasamy KARTHIKEYAN
(NATIONAL CHEMICAL LABORATORY, Pune, India)
Novel Tools for Data Classification
Dr. Ansgar SCHUFFENHAUER
(NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, Basel, Switzerland)
Novel Tools for Data Exploitation
Dr. Elisabet GREGORI-PUIGJANE
(CHEMOTARGETS, Barcelona, Spain)

Session Chair
Dr. Peter NUSSBAUMER
(NOVARTIS, Vienna, Austria)
Title to be determined
Dr. Leonard J. PAGLIARO
(BIOIMAGE, Soeborg, Denmark)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Prof. Christian NOE
(UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA, Vienna, Austria)
Network Based Drug Discovery
Prof. Hans WESTERHOFF
(VU UNIVERSITY AMSTERDAM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Title to be determined
Prof. Christian NOE
(UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA, Vienna, Austria)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

25. Structure Based Drug Design (AFMC) 26. Modulators of Adenosine and P2Y Receptors 27. Addressing Therapeutic Complexity in Oncology with Med. Chem.

Session Chair
Prof. Esin AKI-SENER
(ANKARA UNIVERSITY, Ankara, Turkey)
Quantum Chemical Calculation of Protein-Ligand Interaction
Prof. Isao NAKANISHI
(KYOTO UNIVERSITY, Kyoto, Japan)
Title to be determined
Dr. Jose VARGHESE
(CSIRO, Parkville, Australia)
Oral communication
to be selected from submitted abstracts

Session Chair
Prof. Kenneth A. JACOBSON
(NIDDK, Bethesda, United States)
Engineering of Purine Receptors and Their Ligands
Prof. Kenneth A. JACOBSON
(NIDDK, Bethesda, United States)
Title to be determined
Prof. Pier Giovanni BARALDI
(UNIVERSITY OF FERRARA, Ferrara, Italy)
Allosteric Modulation of Purine Receptors
Prof. Ad P. IJZERMAN
(LEIDEN/AMSTERDAM CENTER FOR DRUG RESEARCH, Leiden, The Netherlands)

Session Chair
Dr. Graeme ROBERTSON
(SIENA BIOTECH, Siena, Italy)
Alternatives to Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Therapies
Prof. Giovanni GAVIRAGHI
(SIENA BIOTECH, Siena, Italy)
Endothelin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents for Human Glioblastoma. A Comparison with Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
Dr. Lucienne JUILLERAT
(CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE VAUDOIS, Lausanne, Switzerland)
Novel Kinase Inhibitors
Dr. Dirk HEERDING
(GLAXOSMITHKLINE, Collegeville, United States)

Posted under Europe, Press Releases | Comments Off

BIO-Europe 2007 Draws Record Crowd of Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry Leaders

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 November 2007 08:06 Written by admin Thursday, 15 November 2007 08:06

The conference included 19 interactive workshops, panel discussions, international seminars and company presentations. The Opening Plenary focused on the anticipated convergence between biotech and the pharmaceutical industry. Panelists discussed the opportunity for biologics to enable pharmaceutical companies to achieve greater market share, as well as overlaps and convergence between biotech and Big Pharma.

â€œThis year’s BIO-Europe was the largest held to date with over 2200 delegates.Â This highly successful event brought together biotech and pharmaceutical industry leaders from around the globe to develop partnerships, share insights on business trends, and discuss policy issues and other factors that impact the biotech industry,” said Jim Greenwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of BIO.

Attendees came from around the world to participate in over 8500 partnering meetings geared toward exploring mutually beneficial deals. A Plenary Session entitled, â€œA Day in the Life of Experienced Dealmakers,â€ [http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/] featured leading dealmakers highlighting recent case studies and discussing the externalization of research and development, trends within mergers and acquisitions and licensing opportunities.

BIO-Europe 2007 has exceeded expectations with over 2,200 delegates. The priority for all conference delegates is sitting down with potential partners to discuss projects for licensing, molecules, financing and other collaborative programs. â€œThis is the key to the success we are seeing today,â€ said Carola Schropp, Managing Partner, EBD Group. “The success of BIO-Europe sets the stage for an exciting and productive BIO-Europe SpringÂ® partnering conference in Madrid, Spain, April 7-9, 2008â€.

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 Groupâ€™s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Groupâ€™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. EBDâ€™s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Groupâ€™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

ACIâ€™s Clinical Drug Safety Conference February 6-7 2008 London, UK

Last Updated on Saturday, 1 December 2007 08:48 Written by admin Sunday, 4 November 2007 09:54

ACIâ€™s Clinical Drug Safety Conference will address the challenges in monitoring and maintaining drug safety strategies throughout clinical trials. Understand how to apply innovative strategic approaches to effectively manage clinical safety; discover key developments in the handling, analysis and reporting of adverse events during trials and understand the regulators requirements with the aim of speeding drugs to market whilst mitigating the risk of recall.
The programme will focus on key topics including:
Â· Implementing a progressive pharmacovigilance strategy

Â· Key technological advances to support effective management of clinical safety issues during development

Â· Effective handling and analysis of adverse event data â€“ best practices for capturing and reporting safety data

Â· Reducing risk earlier to mitigate the threat of post-marketing recall

Â· Meeting the regulatorâ€™s safety requirements

The expert panel of speakers comprises principal decision-makers and researchers from leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies, giving you an insight into the latest developments in drug safety strategy and research within clinical trials, through key industry case study presentations.

Among the speakers:
Â· Dr. Lisbeth Tofte Hemmingsen, Group Director, International Clinical Quality Assurance, Nycomed Group

Â· Dr. Hans Mosberg, Director Medical Safety Strategy, Nycomed GmbH

Â· Dr. Bledar Haderi, Drug Safety & Epidemiology Manager, AstraZeneca

Â· Dr. Jill Robinson, Vice President, Global Pharmacovigilance Operations , Wyeth

Â· Dr. Thomas Stoehr, Scientific Leader, Pharmacology, Schwarz BioSciences

Â· Dr. Nilima Justice, Senior Director, Product Safety Surveillance, Novo Nordisk

Â· Dr. Valerie Shaw, Director and Product Safety Risk Management Lead, Pfizer

Â· Dr. William Maier, Director of Epidemiology, Elan Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Who will attend?

Attendees will be drawn primarily from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract research organisations and include VPs, Directors and Managers/Scientists working in Drug Safety, Toxicology, Pharmacology, Pharmacovigilance, Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Development, Clinical Trial Management, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance, Strategy and Business Development.

Information & Registration

The program is written by end-users for end-users. That means that you will be attending with only 80 to 100 of your peers from the Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry and will not be surrounded by suppliers trying to sell their products. The success of our conferences is based on a limited number of delegate spaces and a very restricted group of targeted vendors.

To book or to get additional information on the conference, please contact Melanie Mulazzi of ACI on +44 20 7981 2504 or email her at mmulazzi@acius.net.

www.acius.net

Posted under Europe, Press Releases | Comments Off

7th Annual Protein Kinases Congress 10-12 March 2008 in Crowne Plaza Berlin City Centre, Berlin, Germany

Last Updated on Sunday, 4 November 2007 09:41 Written by admin Sunday, 4 November 2007 09:41

Innovating kinase inhibitor development is the key to successful clinical development. At Informa Life Sciences 7th Annual Protein Kinases Congress hear the latest thinking and strategies towards creating a selective inhibitor. Learn about new targets, industry trends in structure-based drug design, clinical case-studies and discuss the issue of cardiotoxicity.

For more information visit: http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-Conf/page.aspx?id=9547

Posted under Clinical Trials, Europe, Press Releases, Proteomics, Targeted Libraries | Comments Off

BIO-Europe 2007 Announces New Program Highlights on Hot-Button Industry Topics

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 October 2007 12:26 Written by admin Thursday, 25 October 2007 12:26

Conference partnering system already features an astounding 1600-plus licensing opportunities

Carlsbad, CA and Washington D.C., Oct. 22, 2007 â€“ EBD Group and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced the addition of more compelling highlights to the conference program.

BIO-Europe 2007 stands to be the most important and exciting stand-alone life sciences partnering event of the year.Â With four weeks to go until the start of the conference, attending biotech companies have already listed over 1,600 partnering projects in the BIO-Europe conference partnering system.

The new content highlights include:

â€¢Â Â Â Â Global Drug Pricing â€“ A Way Out of The Dilemma?

Moderated by Dr. Karen Bernstein, Chairman & Editor in Chief, BioCentury Publications Inc., this panel will feature speakers Dr. Christopher Earl, President and CEO, BIO Ventures for Global Health, Dr. Erik Tambuyzer, SVP, Corporate Affairs Europe & International, Genzyme, Boris Simkovich, President, Light Management Consulting, Wayne Critchley, Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and David Sykes, Principal, PRMA Consulting. These business leaders will explore how the industry and individual companies should approach global drug pricing and figure out ways to maintain the profits necessary to spur R&D while being fair and equitable in the eyes of poor and middle income countries.

â€¢Â Â Â Â Beyond Antibodies: Building on Protein Scaffolds

Antibodies represent a turning point in the biopharmaceutical dream of finding the perfect drug: an effective disease treatment with minor side effects and a patient friendly administration. Several biotechnology companies are now working on the next generation of potential medicines based on alternative protein scaffolds such as derivatives of natural proteins or engineered proteins and are progressing in clinical trials. The pharma industry has now recognized the potential for these novel scaffolds, as illustrated by recent acquisitions and high value deals.Â Led by Mike Ward, Senior Editor, BioCentury Publications Inc., this panel will include Dr. Edwin Moses, CEO, Ablynx NV, Evert J.J. Kueppers, CEO, Pieris AG, Dr. Olivier Litzka, Partner Life Sciences, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, Dr. Christian Zahnd, CEO, Molecular Partners AG.Â They will explore opportunities and difficulties in implementing next generation antibody technologies towards fostering a better understanding of the benefits of these new techniques and how to capitalize on this emerging trend.

â€¢Â Â Â Â An Experts’ View on the State of the Industry

A distinguished panel of industry leaders will discuss the state of the biotech industry in the face of the state of the general healthcare industry.Â Dr. Ken Noonan, Senior Partner, LEK Consulting will moderate a panel featuring Dr. Hubert Birner, General Partner, TVM Capital GmbH, Ian Nicholson, CEO, Chroma Therapeutics Ltd, James C. Greenwood, President & CEO, BIO, Dr. Siegfried Bialojan, Industry Leader Health Sciences, E&Y Germany.Â These leaders will look at past successes and failures and will give some perspectives on current market challenges, as they affect the biotech industry.Â Topics will include the R&D productivity gap and the role of partnering in addressing that gap, the missing IPO window for biotechs with a focus on AIM and its changing dynamic, reimbursement for novel pharmaceuticals/biopharmaceuticals, and, emerging technology/business model trends among biotech companies, â€œbiosimilarsâ€ in the EU and U.S. and surrogate markers.

â€¢Â Â Â Â Innovative Partnerships for Global Health Product Development

Moderated by Dr. Christopher D. Earl, President and CEO, BIO Ventures for Global Health, this session will discuss the formation of new industry partnerships to increase discovery research for neglected diseases. Despite increased partnering and industry collaborations, the real question remains: How should incentives be used as a vehicle to benefit global health?Â From generating motivation for industry investment in R&D to addressing concerns of IP and access, there are many complex issues impeding the progress from A to B.Â This session will highlight some of these pioneering partnerships as well as stress the difficult questions that need answers so that millions of lives can be saved.Â Session panellist will feature JÃ¶rn Aldag, President and CEO, Evotec, Dr. Ted Bianco, Director, Technology Transfer, The Wellcome Trust, Dr. Chris Hentschel, CEO, Medicins for Malaria Venture, Kate Bingham, Managing Partner, SV Life Sciences.

â€¢Â Â Â Â David vs. Goliath – How Can Mid-Size Pharma Compete in an Environment Dominated by Big Pharma?

As mega-mergers have made Big Pharma bigger, the mid-size pharmaceutical company faces bigger than ever challenges in differentiating and justifying itself, not to mention competing for new products. With comparatively paltry R&D budgets, are these companies too reliant on corporate alliances? A panel featuring Dr. Don Lucas, Associate Director, Licensing & Alliances, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Gunther Winkler, VP, Strategic Initiatives, Biogen Idec and Mr. Yoshio Tanabe, Operating Officer and Director, Corporate Planning, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., will and answer this question by exploring how selected mid-size companies can address these issues, and why certain biotech companies might find them appealing as partner candidates. The lifeblood of this industry is innovation, and with both internal and external access squeezed, it is critical that alternative ways our found for mid-size companies to survive and thrive.

â€¢Â Â Â Â Pharmaâ€™s Franchise View on Novel Medicines for CNS Disease

Disease franchise planning for CNS disorders requires a balance of innovation and reduction of risk associated with developing diagnostics and therapies for the complex pathophysiology of CNS disease. This session will discuss new target validation technologies, such as RNAi, that are demonstrating value and are being incorporated into discovery operations and how it may possible to leverage market pressures for novel medicines to bring the R&D and commercial leadership into new alignment, generating stronger support for innovative therapeutic and diagnostic approaches on multi-factorial CNS disease. Led by Gardiner Smith, Partner, SHI Link, this session will feature Dr. Sarah Holland, Director Global Business Development, Hoffmann-La Roche, Dr. Patrick Burke, Director Business Development, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Christine de los Reyes, Founder and Managing Director, Biotech Partnering Solutions, and Dr. David Nicholson, Executive VP Research & Development, Organon International.

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 yearâ€™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 yearâ€™s BIO-Europe partnering event will draw 2,200 industry attendees from over 40 countries, representing more than 1,100 companies for three days of high-level networking. BIO-Europe features the industryâ€™s most advanced Web-based partnering system that delegates will use to generate in excess of 8,000 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 Groupâ€™s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Groupâ€™s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)Â 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. EBDâ€™s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Groupâ€™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

Posted under Europe, Press Releases | Comments Off

BIO-Europe 2007 to Offer Free Access to DMS Biotech Industry Database

Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 October 2007 06:45 Written by admin Tuesday, 16 October 2007 06:45

Carlsbad, CA, and Washington D.C., Sept. 27, 2007 â€“ EBD Group and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced a collaboration with DMS Data Systems, a provider of online life sciences industry data, to provide BIO-Europe 2007 attendees with access to the DMS Data Center, which contains information on specific diseases, technologies and other market-specific data. The DMS Data Center is now accessible at http://www.dmsdatacenters.com/beddc/

The BIO-Europe 2007 International Partnering Conference will be November 12-14, 2007 in Hamburg, Germany at the Congress Center Hamburg.

â€œWe are pleased to further enhance the BIO-Europe partnering experience by offering delegates access to comprehensive, current and in-depth industry information. DMS Data Center provides yet another dimension of information to consider when evaluating specific partnering opportunities and developing successful partnering strategies,â€ said Carola Schropp, Managing Partner, EBD Group.

â€œDMS is a perfect complement to the partnering opportunities offered by the BIO-Europe conferences,â€ said Richard Franklin, chairman of DMS Data Systems. â€œDMS Data Center gives BIO-Europe delegates the in-depth and comprehensive industry data they need to make educated decisions about the deals they consider and pursue.â€

About BIO-Europe 2007

BIO-Europe 2007 is the largest stand-alone partnering conference for the global biotech 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 yearâ€™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 industryâ€™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 Biotechnology Industry Organization, in partnership with European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises.

About DMS

DMS Data Systems designs, develops, and sells on-line, searchable, industry-specific databases, with a focus on the Biomedical industries, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioinformatics, diagnostics, medical device, equipment, drug delivery, and contract research and manufacturing sectors.

Its products, including the NewsAnalyzer, the IndustryAnalyzer, Clinical Trials Plus, and the DMS Data Center, are valuable tools for business development, clinical development, competitive intelligence, strategic planning, and due diligence.

These products are used by biomedical companies, licensing and competitive intelligence professionals, investment banks, venture capital companies, contract research organizations, and University technology transfer offices, as well as executive search firms, publishing companies, public relations and advertising companies, and consulting and law firms.

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 Groupâ€™s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Groupâ€™s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)Â 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. EBDâ€™s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Groupâ€™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

Posted under ChemInformatics, Europe, North America, Press Releases | Comments Off

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.Â 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:Â BIO-Europe 2007 to Bring out Biotechâ€™s Biggest Names and Explore Key Issues for the Industryâ€™s Future

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

Carlsbad, CA and Washington D.C., Oct. 1, 2007 â€“ 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 industryâ€™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:

â€¢Â Â Â Â 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 Pharmaâ€™s struggles to meet the financial worldâ€™s growth expectations on the up and coming, higher growth biotech sector.

â€¢Â Â Â Â Alternative Financing â€“ 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.

â€¢Â Â Â Â The Trend Toward Early Stage M&A and Licensing – What are the New Rules to the Dating Game? Dr. RÃ¼diger 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.

â€¢Â Â Â Â 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.Â Thatâ€™s why the prices of Phase II deals are rising so sharply (upfronts increased more than 50% year over year according to Windhoverâ€™s Strategic Transactions Database) and why biotechs, big pharmas and major investors are changing their strategies.Â 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.

â€¢Â Â Â Â 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.Â 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.
â€¢Â Â Â Â 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:

â€¢Â Â Â Â What is Translational Medicine and How Can Your Company Exploit It?
â€¢Â Â Â Â USand European Patent Law: Anticipated Changes and the Impact for the Life Sciences Industry
â€¢Â Â Â Â What You Wish You Knew Before Going to Market in the United States
â€¢Â Â Â Â From Target to Clinic â€“ Reduce the Time to Your First Important Milestone
â€¢Â Â Â Â Global Drug Pricing â€“ A Way Out of the Dilemma?
â€¢Â Â Â Â How Do Recent Changes Within the FDA Affect Your Companyâ€™s Business Strategy?
â€¢Â Â Â Â An Experts’ View on the State of the Industry
â€¢Â Â Â Â Pharmaâ€™s Franchise View on Novel Medicines for CNS Disease
â€¢Â Â Â Â David vs. Goliath – How Can Mid-Size Pharma Compete in an Environment Dominated by Big Pharma?
â€¢Â Â Â Â Beyond Antibodies: Building on Protein Scaffolds
â€¢Â Â Â Â Post-Merger Integration â€“ 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 yearâ€™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 yearâ€™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 industryâ€™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 Groupâ€™s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business. EBD Groupâ€™s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)Â 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. EBDâ€™s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Groupâ€™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

Posted under Europe, Europe, Press Releases | 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 , OctoberÂ 09, 2007 â€“Â 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.Â InnoVet will use EBD Groupâ€™s PartneringOneâ„¢ 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 industryâ€™s most trusted and intuitive web-based partnering system with best practice implementation services.Â PartneringOne enables conference delegates to efficiently and effectively identify partnering opportunities and pre-arrange private one-to-one meetings with targeted firms and representatives.Â 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 worldâ€™s largest partnering conferences, including BIO-Europe Spring, ERBIâ€™s BioPartnering Exchange and AdvaMed 2007.

â€œWe are excited to work with InnoVet 2007 as the partnering engine for this highly respected conference,â€ said Carola Schropp, Managing Director, EBD Group. â€œStrategic 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.â€

â€œWe 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,â€ 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 â€œmust attendâ€ 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 Groupâ€™s partnering conferences, technology and services to identify business opportunities and develop strategic relationships that drive their business.

EBD Groupâ€™s conferences (run in collaboration with leading industry partners and international trade associations such as BIO and Eucomed) include BIO-Europe, the worldâ€™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.Â EBDâ€™s novel, web-based, partnering software system is also used at numerous third-party events around the world. Outside of the conference format, EBD Groupâ€™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

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 â€“ 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:

Â· Determine the importance of imaging in therapy monitoring

Â· Consider key strategies in image data handling and analysis

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

Â· Examine the role of imaging across therapeutic areas â€“ including oncology, cardiology and CNS

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

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

An Interactive 2 Days

ACIâ€™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.
Â· Hear from an outstanding line-up of the sectorâ€™s leading researchers involved in industry and academia â€“ and leading the field in imaging studies

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

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

Â· Participate in roundtable sessions â€“ giving you the chance to discuss the latest issues with your colleagues â€“ 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

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 Companyâ€™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:Â

â€œWe 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.â€Â

Yannick Carfantan, Managing Director of System C Industrie, commented:Â

â€œCellexus Biosystemsâ€™ 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 Lite2â„¢, in its 10-50 litre version will be introduced in France during the EUROBIO exhibition in Lille from September 26^th to 28^th. 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 Industriesâ€™ 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.â€

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 â€“ 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.

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

Part of the anticipated 2,000 attendees from 40 countries – making BIO-Europe 2007 the worldâ€™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.

â€œThe 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,â€ 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 yearâ€™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 industryâ€™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

About BIO

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

Secure Pharma supply chain key to blocking entry of counterfeit medicines

Last Updated on Saturday, 15 September 2007 08:30 Written by admin Saturday, 15 September 2007 08:30

-Â Â Â Demand planning and supply chain network moves from cost outgoing towards revenue generation
-Â Â Â Developing a robust and resilient distribution strategy and ensuring patient safety essential for Pharma manufacturers

10th September 2007 London,

As the Demand Planning and Supply Chain networks of major Pharma Manufacturers becomes more and more of a revenue generator, it’s role as a direct link between customers and patients has never before been more severely tested in ensuring patient safety and being able to resist counterfeit medicines, as now.
For the Pharma supply chain, the challenges are vast in that there are a variety of needs across multiple functional areas, diverse geographical areas and differing timelines which means it can be daunting to begin to put a secure network in place.
As a result, Eye for Pharma , world renowned for providing business information and conferences for the Pharma Industry are hosting the forthcoming ‘Demand Planning and Supply Chain Management Excellence Summit ” in Prospero House, London, 4th-5th December 2007.
Over 20 Pharma experts in this field are attending to put forward their views and excellence such as
Philip Till,Â Demand and Supply Chain ManagerÂ Â Novartis
Alejandro Portilla, Business Excellence Manager at Abbott and
Christian Borel, head of Supply Chain Integration at Merck-Serono
In areas covering the complete Demand Planning and supply chain domain in
Inventory management and safety stocks, supply chain security, strategic planning, demand planning, sales and operations planning, parallel trade and long term perspectives- where the market is heading.
Eye for Pharma is also offering a FREE 30 page report on the findings of the market called ‘Pharma Futurology, Joined Up Healthcare 2016 and beyond’ which focuses on where Supply chain management will be essential in the future.

For more information visitÂ www.eyeforpharma.com/supplychain07/txt

About EyeforPharma

Eyeforpharma is a globalÂ pharmaceutical business strategy information provider with a highly reputable and worldwide presence in the Pharma industry. It is renowned for producing top level conferences that attract the highest level of speakers to deliver presentations on cutting edge pharmaceutical business strategies. We provide business intelligence and analysis online at www.eyeforpharma.com and through an email briefing twice a month. Eyeforpharma also has a very strong foothold in the European, US and Japanese markets.

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Eyeforpharma announces new speakers and podcast series for their Pharma Marketing Congress

Last Updated on Friday, 14 September 2007 08:27 Written by admin Friday, 14 September 2007 08:27

Eyeforpharma announces new speakers and podcast series for their Pharma Marketing Congress

London, UK.–(Targetwire)-30 August 2007 – eyeforpharma, the global source of information and education for the pharmaceutical industry, announced today that they have recruited new speakers for the 7th annual Pharma Marketing ROI Congress in Barcelona on25th and 26th October.
Since launching the conference, 3 excellent and insightful pharma executives have agreed to speak at Marketing ROI.Â They are:
-Â Â Â Marta Wieldonk, Global Brand Manager, Novartis
-Â Â Â Paul Hooper, Marketing Director, Lundbeck
-Â Â Â Dave Clarke, Global eMarketing Manager, Established Brands, Astra Zeneca
In addition, eyeforpharma warmly welcomes the participation of IMS as Global Sponsors.
The latest updated brochure is available to download now at www.eyeforpharma.com/marketing07/43
Eyeforpharma are also working with their Gold Sponsors DigiRedo to produce a series of insightful podcasts with leading thinkers in the pharma industry.Â The first, with Fonny Schenck, is set to be ready before the end of August, with more to come in September.Â Updates will be sent to anyone asking to be kept updated: http://www.eyeforpharma.com/marketing07/info.shtml
Eyeforpharma’s Early Bird discount is also set to expire soon, on September 28TH with the â‚¬200 discount.
The secure registration page is: https://secure.firstconf.com/pharma/marketing07/register.htm
Further updates, full information on presentations and speakers, and details on ticket options can all be found by downloading the brochure a www.eyeforpharma.com/marketing07/brochure.shtml
About eyeforpharma
eyeforpharma is a leading global source of information for the pharmaceutical industry.Â Our reputation has been built on quality, in-depth conferences that have distinguished themselves from competitors by the depth and breadth of research we put into each conference to ensure it is covering the hottest and most pertinent issues of the industry.Â Months are spent talking directly to senior executives in the industry, as well as relevant consultants and journalists and well respected solutions providers.
eyeforpharma also provides a fortnightly newsletter to over 11 thousand leading executives from every major pharmaceutical company in the industry, and of course consultants, sponsors and academics as well.
The eyeforpharma wiki, launched last month, highlights our dedication to improving the communication between people in the industry and furthering learning and development within it.
Please visit www.eyeforpharma.com to find out more about us.

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EYE FOR PHARMA LOOKS TO INCREASE PHARMA SALES FORCE ROI THROUGH ONLINE MEANS AT FORTHCOMING SUMMIT

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 September 2007 03:11 Written by admin Thursday, 13 September 2007 03:11

2ND Ecommunications and Online Marketing 2007 for Pharma
Summit to be held in Philadelphia Convention Centre, November 12-13th.

-Â Â Â Emarketing Web 2.0 links web technology to the bottom line through the latest advanced strategies and methods .

-Â Â Â Leading speakers such as Simon Goldberg, Director, Electronic Communications, Abbott; Preeti Pinto, Sr. Director, Head of Promotional Regulatory Affairs,talk of the benefits of eDetailing and Online Promotion

14th August 2007 London,

In the rush to gain Share of Voice by increasing the frequency and reach of sales calls, pharmaceutical companies may have lost sight of the value that the “detail person” has given to physicians in past years.
The declining sales force return on investment may signal that a significant adjustment will take place in how pharma companies market and sell their products to physicians. Many experts believe that areas such as eDetailing and ePromotion fits the bill for a solution to declining physician marketing ROI.

EyeforPharma, world renowned leader in providing business strategy information and conferences for the Pharmaceutical Industry has announced dates for the 2nd Ecommunications and Online marketing 2007 Summit which will address such issues and provide a greater insight into how to take advantage of the new tools available through an impressive list of expert speakers.

The event promises to give key understand to the importance of ‘e’ strategies as part of a broader cross channel integrated marketing strategy

Eye for pharma brings together all the latest online developments and strategies to improve ROI such as,

Physician Relationship Marketing: Attendees will hear a strategic approach to eDetailing as a complimentary component of an integrated physician relationship marketing campaign
Create eDialog with your customers: How to create genuine two-way interactions with physicians to meet their needs and exceed their expectations
Examine the most effective metrics to evaluate, monitor and interpret an online marketing campaign
Web 2.0: Monitor and interpret user-generated content from social networks, blogs and forums to enhance your marketing strategy
Pharma eMarketing 2.0: Participants will understand how to harness and interpret the power of social media to ensure you brand leads the way.

Key speakers include Simon Goldberg, Director, Electronic Communications, Abbott; Preeti Pinto, Sr. Director, Head of Promotional Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca; Christoph Ferse, Global eMarketing Director, Bayer Healthcare
For further information visit http://www.eyeforpharma.com/ecomm2007/

About EyeforPharma

Posted under Europe, Europe, Press Releases | Comments Off

More than 90% of Pharma Companies in the US and 80% in Europe Are Thinking about or Already Implementing Physician-Centric Service Models.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 September 2007 09:48 Written by admin Wednesday, 12 September 2007 09:48

Eye for Pharma launches New live webinar aimed at Re engineering Physician Relationship Models

-Â Â Â Features NEW Research on Physicians’ Experience Preferences and Sales Force Ratings.Â .
-Â Â Â Takes place 26th September 2007 12.00 EST / 18.00 CET

31st August 2007 London,

Physicians today want a new set of experiences from pharma, an integrated mix that includes patient support, educational programs and practice management services, as well as effective representative interactions.
The vast majority of companies recognize the need to transition to a service model that meets physicians’ new expectations. But most still struggle with how to move from traditional sales approaches to a physician-centric orientation.
EyeforPharma, world renowned leader in providing business strategy information and conferences for the Pharmaceutical Industry has announced an ALL NEW webinar called
‘Re-Engineering Physician Relationships:
Putting the New Service Model into Action
TheÂ webinar will feature new research conducted with Physicians to understand exactly what doctors want, what changes are they seeing in the Pharma market and who is not delivering. Expert help will also be given on how to transition to a successful Physician -centric model.
Key speakers include
Andrew Brana, Senior Global Consultant, Sales Performance Optimization, TNS Healthcare
Simon Roberts, Strategic Partnerships/Market Access, Roche
Tobias Weizel, Sales & Marketing Effectiveness, Amgen
Gregg Ciarelli, Executive Director – Sales Administration, Boehringer Ingelheim
Brad Fackler, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals

The webinar will be of particular interest where companies are already thinking about or already implementing Physician-Centric Service Model. Attendees will discover what changes doctors are reporting in their rep interactions, learn which sales forces doctors say deliver the best experiences and understand how to create a successful physician-centric model .

The webinar will take place 26th September 2007 -
12.00 EST / 18.00 CET
For more information visit www.eyeforpharma.com/virtual/salesmodel/

About EyeforPharma

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

Secondary Screening

Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 July 2007 12:39 Written by Fred Wednesday, 25 July 2007 12:39

The market for in vitro toxicology testing is approximately $200 million and expected to grow to more than $300 million by 2005. 90% of compounds fail in drug development because of four reasons. 41% of those fail because of poor ADME; 31% because of insufficient efficacy; 22% because of toxicity; and only 6% because of market and/or commercialization complications. The earlier in the development process that an inadequate compound can be removed, the less time and money wasted, usually on the order of five to ten years and hundreds of millions of dollars.

The triage process thus represents a large opportunity with significant unmet needs, and new technologies are defining and expanding this market. Triage starts immediately after primary high-throughput screening, and the market opportunity for re-screening of hits is approximately $190 million worldwide and expected to grow to more than $250 million by 2005. The market opportunities for toxicology and ADME currently total approximately $3 billion, most of which is spent on animal studies. The market for in vitro toxicology testing, the segment within secondary screening, is approximately $200 million and expected to grow more than $300 million by 2005. The market for in vitro ADME testing represents a conversation opportunity and is forecasted to remain relatively stable.

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

Cisbio internationalâ€™s upcoming third annual â€œHTRFÂ® In Drug Discoveryâ€ Symposium will be held September 26-28 in Sonoma, California

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 July 2007 02:13 Written by Fred Thursday, 19 July 2007 02:13

Over the course of three days, experts in drug screening from around the globe will assemble to discuss the latest applications of Cisbioâ€™s proprietary HTRFÂ® technology in the drug screening, target discovery and mechanistic fields.Â A number of scientific sessions will specifically examine GPCR and kinase screening, cell-based biomarker detection and functional assays.Â

HTRFÂ® (homogenous time-resolved fluorescence) technology is a highly sensitive, robust technology for the detection of molecular interactions and is widely used for the high throughput stage of drug development. As part of its ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality technical support to HTRFÂ® customers, Cisbio established its annual symposium in 2005 as a forum for exchanging ideas on drug screening and the latest in HTRFÂ® innovation

Posted under Compound Libraries, Europe, HT Screening, Targeted Libraries | Comments Off

Tecan and the Monash Antibody Technologies Facility join forces to produce the largest monoclonal antibody production facility in the Southern hemisphere

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 July 2007 02:11 Written by Fred Thursday, 19 July 2007 02:11

MÃ¤nnedorf, Switzerland, July 11 2007: Tecan, the leading provider of advanced automation and detection systems, and the Monash Antibody Technologies Facility (MATF) at Monash University, Australia, have announced a partnership to create one of the largest, most sophisticated monoclonal antibody production systems in the world today. Plans are already underway to develop the system, which will be based around multiple, integrated liquid handling workstations and will fully automate all the stages of the production process.

The importance of monoclonal antibody production is reflected by the breadth of use, which includes research applications, diagnostic applications and successful use as therapeutic agents. In the research world, the use of monoclonal antibodies has proven crucial to the understanding of a myriad of physiological processes, and has led to new approaches in the treatment of diseases with great unmet clinical need. In the medical world, they are currently used as diagnostic agents to detect cancers or infectious diseases; as vaccines to boost the body’s immune response; and as therapeutics, to target cancerous cells or to decrease the bodyâ€™s own immune response in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

The MATF is one of the only high throughput production facilities in the world offering custom-made, high-affinity monoclonal antibodies. The new system will increase the production capacity at MATF from original estimates of 500 panels of novel antibodies a year to potentially 5,000, helping to alleviate the bottleneck of antibody supply experienced by many researchers working on protein function and physiological processes.Â

The new system, partially funded by the Victorian State Government and Monash University, National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Australian Stem Cell Centre, is the first major step towards an extensive assay development program planned for 2008, which will further strengthen Monash Universityâ€™s rising profile as a centre of excellence in the international medical research community.

Alan Sawyer, Director of MATF, who was instrumental in establishing a similar world-renowned facility for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), said: â€œProbably the main bottleneck in biomedical sciences right now is a lack of affinity reagents like antibodies – we wanted to remove that bottleneck and open up new ways for investigators and pharmaceutical companies to think about doing science. This is a colossal step towards accomplishing that.â€ Deputy Director Michael Spiegel added: â€œTecanâ€™s involvement on this project has far exceeded a simple supplier/client relationship. They have embraced this challenging project becoming a fundamental partner, contributing innovative project design, competent expertise and a flexible working attitude.â€

Carl Severinghaus, Senior Vice President at Tecan, said: â€œWe are delighted to be co-developing this exciting new system with the MATF and look forward to working together on this as well as any future endeavours.â€

Tecanâ€™s team of experienced application specialists and engineers will build the new system at the companyâ€™s headquarters in MÃ¤nnedorf, Switzerland, ready for installation at the MATF in April 2008.

Posted under Collaborations, Equipment & Supplies, Europe, Europe, New Products, Press Releases | Comments Off

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Inaugural Advances in Synthetic Biology 2008 6-7 March 2008, Cambridge, UK

AIDS researchers find protein that greatly boosts HIV infection

XXth International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry EFMC-ISMC 08

BIO-Europe 2007 Draws Record Crowd of Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry Leaders

ACIâ€™s Clinical Drug Safety Conference February 6-7 2008 London, UK

7th Annual Protein Kinases Congress 10-12 March 2008 in Crowne Plaza Berlin City Centre, Berlin, Germany

BIO-Europe 2007 Announces New Program Highlights on Hot-Button Industry Topics

BIO-Europe 2007 to Offer Free Access to DMS Biotech Industry Database

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

InnoVet Selects EBD Group to Power its Conference Partnering

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

Cellexus Biosystems appoints System C Industrie as its distributor in France

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

Secure Pharma supply chain key to blocking entry of counterfeit medicines

Eyeforpharma announces new speakers and podcast series for their Pharma Marketing Congress

EYE FOR PHARMA LOOKS TO INCREASE PHARMA SALES FORCE ROI THROUGH ONLINE MEANS AT FORTHCOMING SUMMIT

More than 90% of Pharma Companies in the US and 80% in Europe Are Thinking about or Already Implementing Physician-Centric Service Models.

Secondary Screening

Cisbio internationalâ€™s upcoming third annual â€œHTRFÂ® In Drug Discoveryâ€ Symposium will be held September 26-28 in Sonoma, California

Tecan and the Monash Antibody Technologies Facility join forces to produce the largest monoclonal antibody production facility in the Southern hemisphere

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Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category

Inaugural Advances in Synthetic Biology 2008 6-7 March 2008, Cambridge, UK

AIDS researchers find protein that greatly boosts HIV infection

XXth International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry EFMC-ISMC 08

BIO-Europe 2007 Draws Record Crowd of Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry Leaders

ACIâ€™s Clinical Drug Safety Conference February 6-7 2008 London, UK

7th Annual Protein Kinases Congress 10-12 March 2008 in Crowne Plaza Berlin City Centre, Berlin, Germany

BIO-Europe 2007 Announces New Program Highlights on Hot-Button Industry Topics

BIO-Europe 2007 to Offer Free Access to DMS Biotech Industry Database

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

InnoVet Selects EBD Group to Power its Conference Partnering

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

Cellexus Biosystems appoints System C Industrie as its distributor in France

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

Secure Pharma supply chain key to blocking entry of counterfeit medicines

Eyeforpharma announces new speakers and podcast series for their Pharma Marketing Congress

EYE FOR PHARMA LOOKS TO INCREASE PHARMA SALES FORCE ROI THROUGH ONLINE MEANS AT FORTHCOMING SUMMIT

More than 90% of Pharma Companies in the US and 80% in Europe Are Thinking about or Already Implementing Physician-Centric Service Models.

Secondary Screening

Cisbio internationalâ€™s upcoming third annual â€œHTRFÂ® In Drug Discoveryâ€ Symposium will be held September 26-28 in Sonoma, California

Tecan and the Monash Antibody Technologies Facility join forces to produce the largest monoclonal antibody production facility in the Southern hemisphere

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Last Modified

Cisbio internationalâ€™s upcoming third annual â€œHTRFÂ® In Drug Discoveryâ€ Symposium will be held September 26-28 in Sonoma, California