Argenta expands collaboration with Genentech to include BioFocus

Argenta, a service division of Galapagos NV, announced today it has signed a contract extension with Galapagos NV, a member of the Roche Group. The extended agreement expands the portfolio of projects which are in collaboration with Genentech and allows Genentech to place projects directly into Galapagos’ other service division, BioFocus.

Study supports screening in men at higher genetic risk of prostate cancer

Men at higher risk of prostate cancer due to genetic changes may benefit from regular screening, according to preliminary results from the first multinational study of patients with known prostate cancer predisposition genes.

Scientists have already found a number of genetic factors that increase prostate cancer risk, including heritable mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. These mutations are not common but can have major impact, as a BRCA2 mutation increases risk by up to seven-fold while a BRCA1 mutation is thought to double risk in men under 65.

New 1-to-4 Reagent MultiFlo Microplate Dispenser smplifies dispensing processes

BioTek’s new MultiFlo Microplate Dispenser uses multiple technologies to dispense multiple reagents into multiple microplate types. This all-in-one dispenser saves bench space and transfer time, and also eliminates plate setup steps, thus simplifying the dispensing process.

The MultiFlo dispenses up to four independent, parallel reagents in volumes from 1µL to 3mL, and microplates from 6- to 1536-well, including low-profile, standard height, deep well and even microtubes.

Nexxis iLAB 5.02: instrument integration into a single package

Labtronics Inc has released Nexxis iLAB 5.02, a total lab automation system.  It is the first product of its kind that integrates ELN, SDMS and instrument integration into a single package that is ready to go, out of the box. It enhances the value of any existing LIMS by providing missing functionality not found in the LIMS.

Specialist business unit of university spins-out to form R&D oncology company

Preclinical Oncology Services Limited (PRECOS), a pre-clinical research and development service with a specific focus on oncology, announces its official launch following its spin-out from the University of Nottingham.

The newly formed company combines the innovation of one of the UK's leading universities with the scientific background and expertise of multi-disciplinary scientists.

Autoclave range launched providing sterilisation of glassware, culture media, discard

Astell, the autoclave manufacturer, has launched a new “E” range, for the cost conscious microbiology laboratory, providing sterilisation of glassware, culture media, discard and similar items.

Available in three standard sizes – 125, 216 and 360 litres – the affordable “E” range features, as standard, a manual temperature-interlocked sliding door, over-temperature protection, media holdwarm, delayed start and assisted air cooling.

People want to be asked before sharing genetic data

People want to be informed and asked for consent before deciding whether to let researchers share their genetic information in a government database. This is according to a team of investigators at Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington. The team’s report, called “Glad You Asked,” is in the September 2010 Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics.

To the team’s knowledge, it is the first to ask research participants’ opinions about the need for informed consent for sharing their own information. The team explored participants’ preferences while collaborating on the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network. The Network involves volunteers enrolled in the joint Group Health-UW Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. ACT is a longitudinal cohort study that tracks aging-related changes in thousands of older Group Health patients over time.

Solution improve batch-to-batch consistency and stability in large scale

Novozymes Biopharma will highlight its sodium hyaluronate and recombinant human albumin products at CPhI Wordwide 2010, Paris Nord Villepinte, October 5-7, Paris, France. These solutions offer a range of advantages for medical devices, drug delivery and formulation.

Novozymes' sodium hyaluronate is 100% free of animal-derived raw materials and organic solvent remnants and offers a range of benefits including increased safety, batch-to-batch consistency and stability in large scale.

Components, consumables and instruments for HPLC, uHPLC and LC/MS

Dorton Analytical has announced the availability of a new 140-page catalogue describing a broad range of reliable, high performance components, consumables and instruments for High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (uHPLC) and related separation techniques.

Available in hard copy or downloadable pdf format the catalogue details a comprehensive range of HPLC replacement parts and accessories, HPLC pumps, static mixers, pulse dampers and Flow Splitters. To ensure the reliability and performance of these products a commitment to 100% inspection of every critical dimension on every part that affects product performance is given.

Robot-compatible blowdown evaporator

The open-access design of Porvair Sciences' Ultravap Microplate Evaporator, combined with full RS232 control of every parameter, enables integration with laboratory robotics.

In response to customer feedback - Porvair have refined the Ultravap design to further ease integration with laboratory robots, increase operational versatility and to enable simple safe venting of removed solvents.

Open communications boost pharmaceutical manufacturing plant productivity

Mantecorp is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in Brazil. It produces widely recognised product lines and brands that are valued by physicians and consumers for primary care, specialty care, and consumer use.

The Mantecorp facility in Rio de Janeiro produces over 100 million units of products and medication for human use. With a total area of 300,000 square metres and 50,000 square metres of industrial facilities, it is one of the most modern plants in the country’s pharmaceutical industry. As a centre of scientific and manufacturing excellence, the Rio de Janeiro complex benefits from the company’s forward-thinking investment policy, which focuses on increasing the quality and reliability of its brands. Over the last 15 years, for example, the unit has invested roughly US $70 million in modernisation and technological evolution projects.

Olympus releases v1.4 of its Stream materials science microscopy imaging software

Olympus has today launched an update for the highly successful Stream materials science microscopy imaging software family. Stream v1.4 provides a number of new and improved features, which not only increase workflow efficiency, but also enhance the overall capabilities of the software.

Stream v1.4 and the associated Olympus hardware components are now compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, and there is improved interfacing with Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 programmes. Users will also benefit from functional improvements to the processing and measurement tools and database utilities. The Olympus Stream family is a comprehensive series of materials science software products, offering a peerless combination of imaging, analysis and microscope control features for superior performance and user-friendly operation.

Keithley earns Metrology Reaccreditation; among first labs to earn new US accreditation

Keithley Instruments Inc has announced that its Metrology Services department has achieved renewal of its ISO 17025 accreditation, having completed a rigorous three-and-a-half-day ISO 17025 re-accreditation assessment by A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation).

As part of the A2LA assessment, Keithley has also been successfully accredited to the new ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 American standard.

Thermo Fisher Scientific adds new sizes to biological safety cabinet product line

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc today introduced two new sizes of Thermo Scientific MSC-Advantage biological safety cabinets. Expanding on the existing range of energy efficient Thermo Scientific Class II biological safety cabinets, the 0.9 metre and 1.5 metre models provide an additional level of choice and flexibility.

The new 0.9 metre model is ideal for personal use in a space-restricted laboratory, while the 1.5 metre cabinet provides a larger usable workspace in a compact footprint. With up to 75 percent lower operating costs than traditional biological safety cabinets, the complete range of Thermo Scientific MSC-Advantage biological safety cabinets are good for you and good for the environment.

Drug Information Association 4th Annual Clinical Forum

The Drug Information Association (DIA) in Europe will host the 4th Annual Clinical Forum from 11-13 October 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Representatives from industry, academia, and regulatory agencies will explore best strategies, processes and technologies across nine themes including: CDM/eClinical; Clinical Operations; Clinical Research; Peri- and Post-Approval Studies; Drug Safety and Risk Management; Quality Assurance; Clinical Endpoints; e-Technology and Validation; Medical Information and Communications.

Signature validation for the development of biomarkers

Ariana Pharma has started a collaboration with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Ariana Pharma is providing its KEM Biomarker technology to help enable FDA reviewers to analyze pharmacogenomic data combined with patient characteristics for biomarker signatures submitted through the FDA’s Voluntary Exploratory Data Submission (VXDS) program. This collaboration directly relates to the FDA’s desire to develop better tools for the analysis of genomic data in the context of the development of personalized medicine.

Généthon to use Polyplus-transfection’s jetPEI transfection reagent for producing viral vectors

Polyplus-transfection SA, which specializes in the development of solutions for cellular and molecular biology research, announced today that Généthon, a not-for-profit biotherapy laboratory run by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM – Association Française contre les Myopathies) and which is financed by donations raised through the annual Téléthon, has selected Polyplus-transfection’s jetPEI transfection reagent for the production of its viral vectors. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Trial offers new hope in battle against superbugs

A major new trial at a London hospital has shown dramatic improvements in controlling hospital superbugs, including MRSA and C-Difficile. The results are being presented to the Reducing Healthcare Acquired Infections conference in London today. The conference aims to “examine why mistakes continue to be made” in patient safety.

Microbiologist Stephen Falder presented the results of a new technology trial, which comes at a time when the UK's National Health Service (NHS) is under pressure to combat superbugs, as well as save money. The Health Service is increasingly looking to new technologies instead of relying on traditional cleaning practices that have been in use since the Second World War.

Automated preparation of analytical samples

Agilent Technologies Inc's 7696 Sample Prep Workbench is a new instrument for automated preparation of analytical samples.

The 7696 Sample Prep Workbench offers customers increased productivity through automation as well as easy-to-use of software and hardware. In addition, the 7696 reduces the cost per sample because it consumes smaller amounts of chemicals and solvents, produces less waste, and does not require glassware other than sample vials. Finally, the 7696 reduces laboratory workers’ exposure to chemicals, providing potential safety benefits in the workplace.

Paperless lab solutions

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc has announced that it has extended its reach across Central Europe by making Vialis AG the latest member of its Informatics Global Partner Alliance. Vialis AG, based in Switzerland, will provide local services and support for the full range of Thermo Scientific informatics solutions, including laboratory information management systems, chromatography data systems, electronic laboratory notebooks and spectroscopy software, as well as comprehensive laboratory automation and integration solutions.

Study on the aggregation of protein drugs and vaccines

Coriolis PharmaServices GmbH is using NanoSight’s LM-20 nanoparticle characterization system to investigate the aggregation behaviour of protein drugs and vaccines.

Coriolis is a contract research organization for the formulation and analytics of pharmaceutical proteins and vaccines for their customers from national and international pharmaceutical companies. A special focus during formulation development is set on the characterization of subvisible particles and aggregation.

BioFocus and Usher III Initiative announce collaboration

 BioFocus and the Usher III Initiative Inc, a not-for-profit organization, announced today that they have embarked on a drug discovery project focused on Usher Syndrome Type III. Usher Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes the loss of hearing and vision. Under the agreement, BioFocus will perform an integrated programme encompassing medicinal chemistry and biological sciences.

Jennerex and Transgene Enter into an Exclusive Partnership for the development and commercialization of JX-594 for the treatment of cancers

Jennerex Inc, a private clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on the development and commercialization of first-in-class targeted oncolytic products for cancer, and Transgene, a bio-pharmaceutical company specialized in the development of immunotherapeutic products, today announced that they have entered into an exclusive partnership to develop and commercialize JX-594 for the treatment of solid tumours in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Middle East.

American Society of Human Genetics to Host 60th Annual Meeting

The world’s top scientists and clinicians in the human genetics field will gather in Washington, DC, USA, to present their latest research findings at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, from Tuesday, November 2, through Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the Walter E Washington Convention Center.

Biochrom Libra S80 UV-Vis spectrophotometer

Biochrom is targeting its new UV-Visible spectrophotometer, the Biochrom Libra S80, at customers looking for the flexibility and future-proofing that a variable bandwidth optical system offers.

Featuring double beam optical design and variable bandwidth (0.5nm, 1nm, 2nm, 4nm), Biochrom’s new “top of the range instrument” is fully EP (European Pharmacopoeia) compliant and is the ideal choice for both research and method development laboratories.

CNV array with whole chromosome uniparental disomy detection

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, has today introduced the CytoSure ISCA UPD 4 x 180k array.

This offers the ability, for the first time, to simultaneously detect DNA copy number variation (CNV) using OGT’s ISCA consortium endorsed 4 x 180k aCGH array, along with whole chromosome uniparental disomy (UPD) using SNP probes, on a single array. The array format, ease-of-use and intuitive data interpretation via the complimentary CytoSure Interpret Software, combine to make the CytoSure ISCA UPD array an obvious choice for the next stage in cytogenetic research.

Vials let users anticipate unexpected peaks

Agilent Technologies Inc today introduced Agilent MS Analyzed Vials , the first vials and closures to have been analyzed by GC/MS and LC/MS and shipped with their mass spectra in a single package. The new vials allow scientists to anticipate any ghost peaks caused by the vials, thereby eliminating unnecessary rework. The vials, caps and septa, and their analytical data are lot-specific and fully traceable.

Conference on mass spectrometry

Results of new approaches to drug metabolism studies and Vitamin D analysis, the latest biomarker research, novel strategies for food contaminant testing and improved screening for environmental toxicity are among the mass spectrometry-based applications that will be presented at the first AB SCIEX European Conference on MS/MS. This conference will be held in the Netherlands, 6-7 October. 

More than 45 leading scientists from across Europe will share results and best practices from their research to advance life science.

Methylation profile of certain gene sets can reveal key information on tumour growth and treatment

Qlucore has today announced that Dr Helena Carén has been using its Qlucore Omics Explorer to research tumour growth and treatment wh ilst at the Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. The Sahlgrenska Academy is the faculty of health sciences at the University of Gothenburg, where education and research are conducted within the fields of pharmacy, medicine, odontology and health care sciences.

Understanding how cell division mistakes lead to human disorders

Imaging technology supplied by Image Solutions (UK) Ltd (Imsol) is helping scientists at the University of Sussex’s Centre for Genome Damage and Stability (CGDS) to get a better understanding of how mistakes made during the process of cell division can lead to disorders and diseases within humans.

The CGDS houses 16 research groups, all focused on different aspects of DNA damage responses and genome instability. One of the groups, managed by Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow Dr Helfrid Hochegger, uses Imsol’s DeltaVision Core and Personal DV imaging systems in order to better understand the activities of enzymes known as kinases. Successful cell separation depends on kinase activity and as a result they are one of the most studied of all enzyme families.

Immutep announces final results in phase I/II chemoimmunotherapy trial in metastatic breast cancer

Immutep SA announced today the publication of a clinical research paper showing that its lead product, IMP321, given with first-line paclitaxel achieved clinical benefit in 90 per cent of metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) patients.

Is hand washing enough to stop the spread of disease?

Not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them, could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor. Frequently people give up drying their hands and wipe them on their clothes instead, but hand-hygiene is a key part of infection control and drying hands after washing is a very important part of the process.

The Cambridge Phenomenon Award for IT and Bioscience

Four IT and four Bioscience companies have been shortlisted for the Cambridge Phenomenon Award 2010 – selected as the most exciting companies of the future - by a panel of judges. The companies are all located within the UK's greater Cambridge area, have been in existence for at least two years and are privately owned. The winners, one IT and one Bioscience company, will be selected at the Cambridge Phenomenon 50th anniversary conference by the delegates.

Protagen raises €10.0m for diagnostic developments

Protagen AG, a specialist for in-vitro diagnostics and GMP-compliant protein analysis announced today a second round of finance totalling a volume of € 10.0 million. After closing a first round of € 3.7 million in August 2009, the NRW.BANK, Düsseldorf, participated as new investor and joined the consortium of MIG Fonds, Munich, S-Capital Dortmund, S-Venture Capital Dortmund and KfW, Bonn, to finalize the actual round. Also the existing investors contributed significantly to the second closing.

Thermo Fisher Scientific opens UK office for microanalysis business

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc today announced the establishment of a sales and support office for microanalysis products sold in the United Kingdom. The office will be located at the UK commercial headquarters in Hemel Hempstead, and will focus on providing local customers with superior sales and service support within the UK marketplace.

Myconostica announces CE Marking of MycAssay Aspergillus For Serum

Myconostica Ltd, the UK-based medical diagnostic company developing and commercialising rapid and highly specific tests for life-threatening fungal infections, today announced the CE marking of its lead product MycAssay Aspergillus for detection of Aspergillus DNA in serum.

GE Healthcare introduces ÄKTA avant 150 Liquid Chromatography System for accelerated scale-up

With flow rates up to 150ml/min, the ÄKTA avant 150 is designed for process development and scale up. The UNICORN 6.1 control software enables seamless method transfer between ÄKTA avant 25 and ÄKTA avant 150. UNICORN 6.1 also comes with integrated Design of Experiments (DoE) functionality that provides time and cost savings by capturing the information required for decision making in fewer experiments. ÄKTA avant includes several features for optimal operational security such as a cooled fraction collector and traceable column handling.

Acacia Pharma announces two clinical development programmes: for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting; and xerostomia (dry mouth)

Acacia Pharma, a pharmaceutical company specialising in the development of drugs for cancer supportive care, announces the initiation of two clinical development programmes: APD421 for the prevention and treatment of nausea & vomiting; and APD515 for the treatment of xerostomia (dry mouth). Clinical studies will commence in the final quarter of 2010.

Novel potential treatment option for retinal disorders

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for eye disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, announces that the pooled results from the successful microplasmin MIVI-TRUST Phase III programme have been presented today at the EURETINA (European Society of Retina Specialists) Congress in Paris, France. The MIVI-TRUST program is the largest interventional clinical program ever performed to specifically evaluate the vitreoretinal interface in patients with retinal disorders, recruiting a total of 652 patients at 90 centres across the US and Europe.