Posts Tagged ‘biotechnology’

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The Ninth Biotechnology Industry Organization Investor Forum Saturday, August 21st, 2010

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Investor Forum is a national investor conference held in the US. Participants of the forum include leading private and emerging public biotech companies, venture and private equity investors in healthcare, and investors interested in buying or selling. Business development executives from leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies participating in the forum will have the opportunity for networking and exploring for the kinds of deals they are looking for.

At this year’s conference, Chairman/CEO of Advaxis Inc., a biotechnology company developing proprietary, live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) vaccines that deliver engineered tumor antigens, will discuss recent developments in the areas of clinical trials and financing.

Other topics slated to be discussed include:
– First patient group dosing in US-based, Phase II cervical dysplasia (CIN) trial

– Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) clearance to proceed with a India-based, Phase II cervical cancer trial

– National Cancer Institute — Gynecologic Oncology Group’s trial in cervix cancer

– CRUK trial in Head and Neck cancer

– Collaborative research and development agreement (CRADA) signing with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to study Listeria in animals

– $7.5 million in financing agreement with life science fund

Read the news release at Market Watch.

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Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology | 2 Comments »

Scientific Development in Your Community: How do you Help? Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization’s stated objective is to “to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of the world’s top life sciences center.” The organization makes annual iBIO Institute iCON Awards to “celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding science teachers and researchers whose work provides the basis for biotechnology developments worldwide.”

The fourth annual awards recipients of 2010 illustrate the kinds of contributions individuals can make to their community in the area of scientific development.

The Innovator Award (University Level) winner this year is Dr Brenda Russell, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology, Biophysics, Bioengineering and Medicine, and Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr Russell has:

* spent several years guiding some of the brightest and most highly motivated research students in the state
* chaired several cross-disciplinary task forces at UIC including regenerative medicine with stem cells, environmental science, tobacco-related research (prevention psychology, clinical treatment and more), bioinformatics and structural biology
* lectured in the iBIO Institute’s TalentSparks! teacher development program and iBIO IndEx conferences
* lent her talent to Chicago’s Science in the City community outreach efforts

The Knowledge Builder Award (Grades 6-12) winner this year is Elizabeth Babcock, Ph.D., Vice President, Education and Library Collections at The Field Museum in Chicago. Dr Babcock:

* is responsible for the development and implementation of education programs, outreach initiatives and digital programming to over 800,000 adults, families, teachers and students each year
* helps improve the public’s understanding of natural history and to serve diverse audiences by leveraging the Museum’s exhibitions, collections and scientific research
* focuses on increasing the public’s access to and utilization of the Museum’s rare book collection, photo and institutional archives, and general collection of over 300,000 items

StockNod.

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Market Reports on Biochips, Stem Cell Research and more Monday, August 16th, 2010

Market Publishers Ltd has just announced release of new market reports on drugs and biotechnology. The new reports cover Biochips, Stem Cell Research, Prions, Intravenous Solutions and Bionanotechnology.

Biochips: Biochips is a major thrust area under biotechnology along with such areas as genomics, protenomics and pharmaceuticals. Combining the understanding of cell functioning gained from the latter studies and the advanced micro-miniaturization capabilities of the semiconductor industry, one can develop biochips that act as sensors inside the body, where they can perform even thousands of biochemical reactions. Biochips have applications in various fields including disease diagnosis to detection of bioterrorism agents.

Stem Cell Research: Stem cells are cells in the body that can renew themselves through miotic cell division and grow into specialized cell types. Such specialized cells can help repair damaged organs by replenishing dead cells, for example. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into cells of all the embryonic tissues while adult stem cells are more specialized. Bone marrow transplant is an example of adult stem cell therapy. Researchers hope to treat diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and more using stem cell therapy in the future.

The above and other market reports from the publishers provide the type of information that prospective entrepreneurs need.

Read the news release at Market Publishers Website.

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Posted in biotechnology, diseases, stem cell research | 7 Comments »

Bt Brinjal and the GM Crops Dilemma Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

The Indian government has put an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified Bt Brinjal (egg plant). The moratorium was imposed in response to a situation where “there is no clear consensus within the scientific community itself, when there is so much opposition from the state governments, civil society organizations and eminent scientists have raised many serious questions not been answered satisfactorily,” according to the central government minister.

Critics of Bt Brinjal argue that the new engineered crop could destroy the vast bio-diversity of the numerous varieties of local brinjal. Preserving bio-diversity is critical because many of the genetic traits of the different varieties could prove invaluable. For example, new high-yielding varieties of rice that led to the Indian green revolution made governments neglect several local rice varieties that had traits like drought-resistance (though not high yields).

On the other hand, opponents of the moratorium point out that with the “uncertainty prevailing about GM crops, the companies wanting to invest in bio technology in agricultural sector would be hesitant to do so.” They complain that “there has been no palpable, effective and time bound effort to resolve the uncertainties caused by the moratorium.”

The case is an excellent example of the dilemma caused by GM crops with fears such as destruction of bio-diversity and unknown risks on one part and the risk of losing the benefits of scientific research on the other.

Read the news at Financial Express.

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Posted in biotechnology, crop science, genetic modification | No Comments »

Biotechnology Industry Issues Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

The 2011 Call for Session Proposals – Educational Track released by convention.bio.org gives an insight into the issues facing the biotech industry.

The impact of regulatory and compliance requirements on the ability of the biotechnology industry to research and develop healthcare products is one major issue. In addition to R&D, marketing is also affected by regulations, not only of FDA of the U.S. but also of regulatory bodies in other countries.

Developing eco-friendly alternative solutions, in the forms of new materials and cleaner manufacturing processes is another issue. Bio-based products from biomass, biofuels and food ingredients are examples and the issues involved with each of these solutions need to be explored in detail. For example, the once promising biofuel is facing criticism on the ground that it reduces the availability of food crops in a world where a large number of people do not get adequate food.

Detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases are helped by developing, validating and qualifying biological markers. Personalized medicine that decides the best treatment for each individual based on the person’s genetic characteristics is another area of major significance.

Intellectual property protection, global biotech licensing, technology transfer, and collaborations is another key issue for the industry. So is a clear picture of emerging trends in business development through partnering and alliances.

Read more by downloading the document from convention.bio.org website.

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Biotechnology: What is its real Significance? Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Biotechnology is attracting attention in more and more countries with research facilities being set up in universities and other institutions in developing countries as well as developed nations. What exactly is its significance? What contributions has the industry made? What is its future potential?

A recent report from BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, titled “Healing, Fueling, Feeding: How Biotechnology is Enriching Your Life” seeks to answer these questions. The intro page of the report starts with some great statistics:

* reduce CO2 emissions annually by 32 million tons simply by lowering the temperature of washing clothes and dishes
* protect 241 million people worldwide from malaria
* ensure no child ever goes hungry
* stop chronic diseases from causing seven out of every ten deaths every year
…

The biotechnology industry believes that it can meet these and other goals that thinking people consider as absolutely essential to create a world that is a better place to live, compared to the planet that we live in now. Biotechnology has already created many “breakthrough products and technologies to combat disease, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, and make useful products.” Most of us are not even aware of the many biotech applications we see in our homes and workplaces.

Learn how the ability of biotechnology to work with cellular and molecular processes are changing everything from the Value of Biotechnology Report.

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Biotechnology Applications in the Textile Industry Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Biotechnology improves crops by tailoring their properties or transferring properties from one organism to another. Both these processes involve working with the organisms’ genes (that determine genetic characteristics), made possible by advances in genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering has already benefited the textile industry and promises much more. For example, cotton, which is the leading fiber used by the textile industry, is vulnerable to attacks by many insects. Cotton also has poor tolerance against herbicides used to kill weeds in irrigated cotton fields. By working with the genes of the crop, scientists are hoping to develop insect and herbicide resistant varieties of cotton.

Another objective is to develop cotton varieties that will be naturally colored, say blue or vivid red, so that bleaching and dyeing of textiles can be eliminated. Research is also going on to provide other desirable properties at a genetic level.

In Australia, sheep is being “engineered” to secrete an insect repellant from its hair follicles to resist attacks from blowfly, and also stop hair growth so that wool can be “pulled off” instead of being sheared. Shearing wool from sheep is a cumbersome and time-consuming process.

Biotechnology is helping not only such genetic engineering results but is also helping in disease diagnostics and new forms of therapy, for example.

Read the great post on biotechnology applications in textile industry at The World of Snark.

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Posted in biotechnology, crop science, genetic modification | No Comments »

The Importance of Finding a Vaccine for HIV Sunday, July 18th, 2010

As things stand now “for every two patients who begin receiving treatment for HIV, five people are newly infected.” What this means is that HIV cannot be controlled through treatment alone. Instead, it is necessary to prevent the infection from occurring through appropriate means.

One theoretical approach to do this is by getting people to practice safe sex. In practice, however, this has not been found successful as indicated by the increasing incidence of the infection.

It is in this context that finding a vaccine for HIV becomes important. If a vaccine could immunize people against HIV, the prospect of controlling its incidence becomes more realistic.

The biennial International Aids Conference from July 18 to July 23, 2010 in Vienna will review the current state of the war against HIV, which we are presently losing. Despite massive infusion of resources into HIV research, the number of HIV patients continues increasing.

A vaccine that is not only effective but also safe is the best defense in this war. And the hopeful news is that there are some exciting developments on this front. A vaccine regimen consisting of a canary-pox-vector prime plus a protein-subunit boost in the RV144 is on trial in Thailand. New vaccine approaches for improved control over Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) is advancing to clinical trials. Novel approaches to HIV vaccine design are also being explored.

Read a perspective on this issue at
New England Journal of Medicine.

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BioBusiness Asia Conference in Taipei Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

The 2010 BioBusiness Asia (BBA) conference is to be held at Grand Hyatt, Taipei during July 20-21. Organized by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the conference theme this year is “Energizing BioBusiness in Asia.”

A major feature of the conference will be the participation of Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill & Company, the global venture capital firm focusing on biotech investments. Mr Burrill will share his vision about global biotech trends and will also explore the topic of biotech venture capital. Another feature will be the exploration of success factors in generic drug development by Allen Chao, former CEO of Watson Pharmaceuticals.

Venture capital experts from China, Japan, Germany, US, Australia and Taiwan will participate in the conference. They will exchange information and views about biotech developments in different countries. The conference will also include one-on-one “Business to Business Partnering” sessions between major international biotech companies, expected to number over 23.

BioBusines Asia has been attracting major players in the biotech industry since 2002 and has become the largest Asian platform for information exchange and meetings. Business models suited to the emerging biotech industry and strategies to leverage global resources are some of the key topics discussed during the sessions.

Of particular focus will be the insights generated for the future biotech opportunities in Taiwan and Greater China. Read the news release at MarketWatch

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Posted in biotechnology, business | 4 Comments »

Patenting Genes and Other Biotech Development Issues Monday, June 28th, 2010

Genes are “products of nature” which are not legally allowed to be patented. Additionally, giving monopoly to a company on a human gene is immoral. Thus go the arguments of those like American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others who have filed suits against gene patenting.

A U.S. District Court ruled in favor of ACLU, and the company concerned, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, have gone in appeal.

The basic argument of gene patenting advocates is that developing biotech drugs is a highly expensive process, and that companies will have an incentive to do this and develop lifesaving diagnostics and therapies only if their discoveries are protected as intellectual property. The Patent Office has been granting patents on genes on the ground that once these are isolated from their natural environment in the body, they cease to be products of nature.

Other cases in courts include patentability of business methods, such as methods of analysis, data interpretation, and performing certain tasks including the administering of diagnostic tests and therapeutics.

Personalized medicine is a new development related to genes. A person’s genetic makeup can determine which treatments will be most effective for that person, as identified through genetic diagnostic tests. Companies have been developing such tests in the laboratory and these laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) are now being increasingly overseen by the Food and Drug Administration to assess the risks involved.

Read the article at TechJournal South.

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Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, business, genetic modification, intellectual property | No Comments »

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