International news
- Gradipore introduces long-life electrophoresis gels into US market
- MSBI Inc. establishes venture capital fund for biotechnology
- Provalis signs Glycosal supply agreement with Takeda
- Repligen commences Phase 3 clinical trials of paediatric autism drug
- Sequenom chooses Queensland for Asia-Pacific headquarters
Gradipore introduces long-life electrophoresis gels into US market
22 February - Gradipore, a global biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures and markets haematological and separation technologies for the world life sciences market, has announced that it has introduced a new line of long-life electrophoresis precast gradient gel products, called LongLife Gels, into the US market. Gradient electrophoresis is an increasingly popular and widespread laboratory technique. The main features of the LongLife Gels are a longer shelf life (12 months, compared to around 3 months for traditional pre-cast gels), plus decreased run and transfer times of up to 50 percent. Gradipore's electrophoresis gels range, marketed as iGel and LongLife Gels, are used in conjunction with its patented Gradflow separation technology, and are essential in most biological separations.
[Source: Company Announcement]
MSBI Inc. establishes venture capital fund for biotechnology
20 February - MSBI Inc., an emerging Canadian company which provides early stage venture capital for the commercialisation of innovations in life sciences, has announced the establishment of a $26m (Canadian) early-stage venture capital fund to invest in technology-based businesses in sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and bioinformatics. MSBI involves McGill University, Universite de Sherbrooke and Bishop's University and their affiliated institutes, in partnership with Valorisation-Recherche Quebec. The structure of MSBI places the company in an advantageous position, as it has right of first review to invest in technologies derived from the participating institutes.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Provalis signs Glycosal supply agreement with Takeda
19 February - Provalis plc, an international leader in the development of point of care tests for chronic diseases, announced today that it has signed an agreement with research-based pharmaceutical company, Takeda UK Ltd to supply it with its Glycosal device which tests for diabetes. Takeda will use Glycosal to test for HbA1c, formed when haemoglobin in red blood cells binds glucose over the cells' typical 90 day life span, in the 'Legacy' program- a diabetes disease management program that Takeda is sponsoring. Andrew Wilkinson, Head of Healthcare Development at Takeda, said Glycosal was selected as the device is specifically designed for use at the point-of-care, plus at the same time provides laboratory quality test results.
[Source: Company Announcement]
Repligen commences Phase 3 clinical trials of paediatric autism drug
18 February - Repligen, a US-based company that develops new drugs for debilitating paediatric disorders (including autism, immune and metabolic disorders), has announced the initiation of its Phase 3 clinical trial program for the paediatric autism drug Secretin, Biospace reported. Repligen intends to conduct two clinical trials, each of which will enrol approximately 175 children aged 2 years 8 months to 4 years 11 months with moderate to severe symptoms of autism. Each patient is to be comprehensively evaluated at baseline, and then receive six injections of Secretin or a placebo over 18 weeks and then be re-evaluated for improvements in the symptoms of autism.
[Source: Biospace]
Sequenom chooses Queensland for Asia-Pacific headquarters
15 February - Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie has announced that United States-based genomics research company, Sequenom, has chosen Queensland as the location for its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters, Biomedoz has reported. According to Mr Beattie, the Sequenom decision confirms Queensland's world-wide reputation as an 'ideal' location in the Asia-Pacific for biotech companies, regional headquarters and global innovators. Sequenom's headquarters will be based in the new Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
[Source: Biomedoz]
