Bionow Newsletter July
Companies
Advanced Medical Solutions secures site for
major new facility in North West
Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc has agreed a
pre-let for a 138,500 sq. ft bespoke building on the Premier Park
Industrial complex in Winsford, Cheshire. There will
be development into a new facility comprising of offices, R
& D Laboratories, manufacturing and warehousing. The project,
which is a major commitment to R & D and manufacturing in the
UK has been supported by the North West Development Agency.
GSK signs up University of Manchester expertise
The University of Manchester and pharmaceutical giant
GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK) have agreed a new research alliance to identify research and
drug therapy opportunities. The partnership will also allow them to
collaborate on projects that aim to better understand particular
diseases and should help both organisations win research funding
bids. There will be special focus on research methodologies like
biomedical imaging and systems biology.
Epistem announce collaboration with Humanetics
Corporation
Manchester based Epistem announced on 24 July that it has been selected
by Humanetics Corporation of Minnesota, USA, to provide
specialised preclinical efficacy testing services for agents likely
to protect the intestinal epithelium from subsequent radiation
damage. Under an appropriation award to Humanetics from
US Department of Defence, over the next 12 months Epistem will screen
potential drug candidates that may ultimately be adopted by the
Armed Forces as prophylactic agents to be taken where there is risk
of radiation exposure or nuclear attack.
Renovo received positive feedback from Europe
Manchester based Renovo, has received positive feedback and advice on
its Juvista Phase 3 clinical programme. The European Medicines
Agency committee for medicinal products for human use, has
given the green light to perform two pivotal double blind tests.
Renovo, which
specialises in scar prevention and reduction, will also undertake a
separate safety study using higher dosages of Juvista. The company,
who recently took an extra 25,000 sq ft of space at the University of Manchester
Incubator Company's Core Technology Facility, hopes to
market and sell Juvista in Europe.
Profits more than double at Tepnel
Tepnel Life Sciences, the Wythenshawe-based molecular
disgnostics group announced on 31 July that it had seen a 118 per
cent rise in profits for the six months to June 2008. The company
said in a stock market statement that its biopharmaceutical
and genotyping services had been a great success with strong
customer demand.
Novartis sees net sales rise by 11%
Novartis,
which has a manufacturing base in Liverpool, has reported a strong
performance in the first half of the year, with net sales up by 11
per cent to £10 billion. Operating income, driven in part by
expansion in fast growing markets has grown by 12 per cent.
According to a study by Datamonitor, Novartis completed
more deals than any other pharmaceutical company in the year
2005-06.
Astrazeneca posts $4.42bn profit for first half
Astrazeneca, the international drug giant that employs
around 7,500 people in the North West, reported a 4 per cent
increase in first half pre-tax profits, as lower restructuring
costs were partically offset by outgoings associated with the
acquisition of MedImmune in the US. The share prices climbed by 2.6
per cent.
University Alliance
Liverpool Science Park based ULive, which was
established to commercialise intellectual property (IP) generated
by Liverpool
University's research activities, has received a £2.5m
investment from Alliance Fund Managers (AFM) through the MSIF's Liverpool Seed Fund. The University will now
transfer all existing and future IP rights to ULive for a minimum
of 15 years, enabling the company to exploit the IP through the
development of spin-out businesses and the licensing and sale of
technology.
Fresenius to acquire APP Pharmaceuticals for $3.7B
Runcorn based Fresenius is intending to acquire APP Pharmaceuticals
in a transaction that could be worth $4.6 billion. APP will become part
of the Fresenius
Kabi division, facilitating entry into the US market. The firm
has also reported that it will obtain a leading position in the US
injectable generics market.
Cyprotex to raise £1m
Macclesfield based Cyprotex, the drug discovery company, is to raise
£1m in a share placing to fund the expansion of its commercial
sales and infrastructure and laboratories.
Thermo Fisher Scientific takes over Affinity BioReagents to
Bolster Proteomics Offerings
Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Runcorn, reported on
21 July the acquisition of Affinity BioReagents to complement its protein
research efforts. The company will be integrated into Thermo
Fisher's analytical technologies segment. With over 35,000
reagents, Affinity BioReagents reportedly had revenues of
approximately $6 million in 2007. The firm's reagents are
mostly monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The company also
provides recombinant proteins and custom anti-body-production
services.
Manchester Science Park builds links with Korea
Manchester Science
Park is building its network of contacts across the world,
having signed a mutually beneficial agreement with Daedeok
Innopolis, the hub of South Korea's science and technology
sector. The bilateral Memorandum of Understanding was signed by MSP
Chairman, Peter Folkman and In Chul Park, Daedeok Innopolis
President and CEO, in May this year.
Protherics begins trial of hypertension treatment
Runcorn based Protherics Plc, announced on 24 June that they have
enrolled the first patient in a phase 2a study of its
Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine (ATV) for the treatment of
hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor for serious and
common cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
The global market for anti-hypertensive therapies is estimated to
be worth around $30 billion.
PZ Cussons relocates to South Manchester
Stockport based PZ Cussons has signed up for 40,000 sq ft at the
Manchester Business Park near the city's
international airport. The move from Stockport to Manchester should
be complete by 2010.
People & Jobs
New Chief Executive for BBSRC
The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and
Skills announced on 7 July the appointment of Professor Douglas
Kell as the next Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and
Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC). Professor Kell is
a leading figure in the field of systems biology, the
multidisciplinary approach to tackling complex biological problems
using theory, computer modelling and experimentation. He is
currently Professor of Bioanalytical Science at the University of
Manchester and Director of the BBSRC-funded Manchester Centre for
Integrative Systems Biology.
DxS announces appointment of Non-Executive Director
Manchester based DxS announced
on 30 July, the appointment of Ron Long as non-executive director.
With companion diagnostics becoming increasingly important for the
pharmaceutical industry, Mr Long's 40 years of experience in
the sector will be invaluable as DxS expands. He
has previously worked with the Wellcome Foundation plc, holding
divisional director appointments in Wellcome Biotechnology Ltd and
Coopers Animal Health Limited.
Bionow website launches a new job advertising
section
Bionow are pleased to announce
that we have launched a new 'Job' section onto the website. We will be
listing biomedical related vacancies within the Northwest, to our
members. If you would like further information, please do not
hesitate to contact Helen Williams on 01925 400345.
Events
Health Tech Hub (Medical Sector), University of Central
Lancashire
Managing Directors of firms in or diversifying into
the medical sector are cordially invited to the next Health Tech Hub event on Wednesday 10 September
2008. Topics to be covered include Equity, Patent protection,
Clinical trials and Medical devices. The event is free of charge
and places are allocated on receipt of a completed registration
form. For further information contact Dawn oliver at dkoliver@uclan.ac.uk or 01772
894517.
Critical success factors for high growth companies - risk
awareness and due diligence
The
University of Manchester Incubator Company invites you to a
free risk awareness workshop held September 18 in Manchester.
UMIC has teamed
up with asset and risk management experts to help you navigate
through the pitfalls of minimising business risk and dependency.
These include Bartlett, Coverdale Business Development, Kavanagh
and T&P Ventures. Presentations cover key areas of risk
including continuity planning, IT dependency, asset management
strategies, insurance implications and investor confidence in due
diligence. You can also book one-to-one confidential meetings with
our experts for advice on the day. Please contact Fiona at barker
pr if you would like to attend at fiona@barkerpr.co.uk or on 07789
520997
NHS Technology Adoption Centre - Annual Conference 2008
Following a successful launch in 2007, the NHS
Technology Adoption Centre are hosting their annual conference
on Thursday 25 September at the Wellcome Trust,
London. The event will provide an excellent opportunity for the
NHS and UK
Healthcare Community to discover more about the work of the Centre
and engage with its growing programme of work.
International Biotech business development event
If you are a biotech company with an interest in
Malaysian, Indian or Bangladeshi markets, then Liverpool John Moores
in partnership with the British Council invites you to attend an
International Biotech business development event. The event is
taking place on Thursday 21 August at Byrom St Campus, Liverpool.
For further information and to reserve your place please contact Dr
Jenny Sneddon on 0151 231 2191.
2008 Bionow Awards Dinner
Preparation for the 2008 Bionow Awards Dinner is underway, and as per previous
years we are hoping for a fantastic evening, giving recognition to
the excellent work that is being done in the Northwest. If you wish
to sponsor a table at the awards or indeed to nominate a
company/individual for one of the prestigious awards please contact
Helen Williams on 01925 400345 or email helen.williams@nwda.co.uk
Information
NHS seeks new technology to beat hospital bugs
Biomedical companies which have products or
technologies that could help to prevent the spread of MRSA or
similar infections are being asked to come forward to take part in
a new NHS
programme. The Smart Solutions for HCAI programme offers
companies the change to have their product assessed by a team of
independent experts, with a view to evaluate it in a hospital
setting and potentially supply it across the NHS. To submit
applications visit www.smartsolutionsforhcai.co.uk
by 26 September.
Trade Mission to Japan
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is organising a trade
mission to Japan on 29 September - 3 October 2008 for UK companies
active in the pharma and biotechnology sector. All UK registered
pharma/bio companies are eligible to participate in the mission. To
register your interest in attending please contact Mina Joshi at
mina.joshi@uktibiotech.org.uk.
The deadline for expressing interest is Monday 4 August.
Government pledges £65m Daresbury Campus
Daresbury Science and Technology Campus have secured
major government investment worth £65 million. The capital
contribution will finance a world leading computer sciences centre
and a research facility to develop detector systems for use in
biomedical imaging and security systems. Ministers say that they
are committed to developing Daresbury as a focal point for
collaboration between researcher and industry.
Northwest doubles job figures
The
Northwest Regional Development Agency can reveal that
England's Northwest is again one of the UK's leading
regions for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Figures released
nationally on 2 July by UK Trade & Investment show that the number
of jobs created and/or safeguarded in the region over the past year
have doubled compared to previous years.
Bionow Readers
Bionow are
constantly striving to produce the most up to date monthly
newsletter for our colleagues, and would welcome any news stories
or information relating to biomedical businesses and individuals,
which highlights the fantastic work that is being done in the North
West. If you would like to include a short article in the May
edition of the newsletter, please forward the story to helen.williams@nwda.co.uk.
Research
Manchester gains funding for
€170m biobank
The University of Manchester has been awarded €5
million in EU funding for a major €170 million international
biobank project. Researchers at the University's Centre
for Integrated Genomic Medical Research will work alongside
scientists and funding agencies in other EU member states to plan
how millions of biological samples, such as DNA, can best be
managed and made available to research scientists across Europe.
Sugar study is sweetener for stem cell science
Scientist at The University of Manchester are striving to
discover hoe the body's natural sugars can be used to create
stem cell treatments for heart disease and nerve damage - thanks to
a £370,000 funding boost. Dr Catherine Merry from The School
of Materials has been awarded a prestigious 'New
Investigators' Research Grant by the Medical Research Council
to investigate how different cell make different sugar types and to
test out theories on how sugars can influence cell behaviour.
Hypnosis shown to reduce symptoms of dementia
A scientist at the University of
Liverpool has found that hypnosis can slow down the impacts of
dementia and improve quality of life for those living with the
condition. Forensic psychologist, Dr Simon Duff, invesitgated the
effects of hypnosis on people living with dementia and compared the
treatment to mainstream health-care methods. He found that people
living with dementia who had received hypnosis therapy showed an
improvement in concentration, memory and socilaisation.
Research to reduce side effects of chemotherapy drugs
University of Manchester researchers are investigating
exactly how chemotherapy drugs kill cancerous tumours in a bid to
reduce side effects and test the effectiveness of safer new agents.
Dr Stephen Taylor and Karen Gascoigne at the University's
Faculty of Life Sciences have taken a new systematic approach
to studying ant-mitotic drugs, which are used extensively for
breast or ovarian cancer in the UK.
Datamonitor
Datamonitor is pleased
to support the work of Bionow. By reporting on the shape of the
Biotech industry, Datamonitor aims to help Northwest firms stay one
step ahead in the global marketplace.
Oxford University has announced a partnership with multinational
biotech firm Emergent BioSolutions to develop a new tuberculosis
vaccine. The partnership will entail the formation of a joint
venture, Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium Ltd, which will
have an exclusive license to the drug. The partnership agreement
stipulates that if the vaccine gains regulatory approval, Emergent
will have the rights to market it in the US and Europe. This
indication is new territory for the biotech firm, which gains the
majority of its current revenue from a unique anthrax vaccine.
In related events, Bavarian Nordic has filed a lawsuit against
Oxford BioMedica, the biopharmaceutical spin-off of Oxford
University. The lawsuit alleges that the British company has
infringed upon three of Bavarian Nordic's patents pertaining to
its smallpox vaccine, Imvamune. According to Bavarian Nordic,
Oxford BioMedica has commercialized its patented technology,
yielding substantial payments from Sanofi-Aventis.
Vivalis grants research license to Acambis
Vivalis has granted Acambis rights to the avian
embryonic stem cell derived eb66 cell line to evaluate it as a
production platform of viral vectors and vaccines.
Read full article
Antisoma advances Phase II leukemia trial to higher dose
stage
Cancer drug developer Antisoma has announced
initial findings from its Phase II trial of AS1411 in relapsed and
refractory acute myeloid leukemia.
Read full article
Cyclacel's Xclair found to be effective against
radiation dermatitis
Align Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, has announced results of a
double-blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical study
showing that Xclair cream is safe and effective in the treatment
and prevention of radiation dermatitis.
Read full article
Bavarian Nordic files patent infringement suit against Oxford
BioMedica
Bavarian Nordic has filed a patent infringement
suit against Oxford BioMedica plc, Biomedica Inc and Oxford
BioMedica Ltd in the US District Court of California.
Read full article
Oxford announces DSMB's recommendation for
Phase III renal cancer study
Oxford BioMedica has announced that the independent
data safety monitoring board for the Phase III Trist study of
TroVax in renal cancer has recommended that the trial should
continue but that further vaccinations be discontinued.
Read full article
Roche and Oxford BRC join to evaluate genetic technologies
Roche Diagnostics has announced that it will
support the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre - a partnership
between the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and University of
Oxford - in the development of solutions enabling improved genetic
and cytogenetic testing.
Read full article
Emergent BioSolutions and University of Oxford to develop TB
vaccine
The University of Oxford and Emergent BioSolutions
have formed a joint venture, The Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis
Consortium, to further develop MVA85A, a clinically advanced
vaccine candidate for the prevention of tuberculosis.
Read full article
Stem Cell Sciences wins new patent for stem cell culture media
Stem Cell Sciences has announced that the UK Patent
Office has granted it a patent covering the company's new range
of stem cell culture media. The new Culticell iSTEM range uses the
inhibitor based technology discovered by Austin Smith.
Read full article
For your free biotechnology report please
click here.
To qualify for your Bionow
discount on Datamonitor products, please register by email
to: websales@datamonitor.com
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Website of the Month
Connotea: Online Reference Management
Connotea is a free information-sharing service for
researchers, clinicians and scientists, providing online storage,
access and sharing of references for bibliographies.
Joke of the Month
A physicist, a chemist and an economist are stranded
on an island with nothing to eat. A can of soup washes ashore. The
physicist says, "Let's smash the can open with a
rock." The chemist says, "Let's build a fire and heat
the can first." The economist says, "Let's assume
that we have a can-opener..."
