This week’s biotechnology news headlines include, Hepatitis C Combo approved, Sanofi looking to 2015 for dengue vaccine, Novo Nordisk invests in new diabetes facility, new study shows biosimilars could cut healthcare costs, new BMS lung cancer drug looks good in Ph III, and Ebola developments.

Cell Culture Events

2-Day Workshops on Modeling and Simulation in Biomanufacturing Operations

Bio-G is hosting 2-Day workshops around the country on Modeling and Simulation in Biomanufacturing Operations. Attendees work in hands-on sessions with the Bio-G Real-Time Modeling System (RTMS) to solve challenging manufacturing problems, including:

• Modeling and Optimization
• Production Planning and Scheduling
• Cycle Time Reduction and Debottlenecking
• Capacity Analysis
• Analysis of Utilities and Waste Streams

For more information on the 2-Day Workshops, including cities and dates, go to http://www.bio-g.com/post/2-day-workshops.

November

Continuous Manufacturing in Biopharmaceuticals – November 18-19th, 2014 – Dublin, Ireland

This event has been specifically designed to offer delegates an informative platform for in-depth discussion, sharing of experiences and an opportunity toexplore the latest progress and cutting edge technologies on how continuous systems have been successfully implemented in bioprocessing.

At the conference, don’t miss the panel discussion “Interface of Existing Bioprocessing Trends and Continuous Manufacturing,” panel conducted by William Whitford, Sr. Manager, HyClone Cell Culture, GE Healthcare USA.

European Antibody Congress 2014 – November 10-12, 2014 – Geneva, Switzerland

The European Antibody Congress, 10-12 November 2014 in Geneva will host a presentation on cutting-edge antibody, biosimilar, ADCs and bispecifics structural characterisation. Join the discussions and meet influential decision makers within these 3 important days. More information available at  http://bit.ly/1uh1PV7

World Orphan Drug Congress, Europe 2014 – November 12-14, 2014 – The Egg, Brussels, Belgium

The European Commission will give the latest updates on the support available for orphan drug development through Horizon 2020 at the World Orphan Drug Congress, 12 -14 November in Brussels. Be witness to the latest developments and register your place now.

Download the full brochure @ terrapinn.com/CellCultureDish

3^rd Annual Cell Culture and Bioprocessing Congress – November 17-18^th, 2014 – London, UK

This Congress is an executive platform for over 170 experts working in cell line development, cell line engineering, up and downstream operations, fermentation and biologics production. The Congress brings together leading experts to discuss ways to support this growth and overcome industry-wide challenges, and will be supported by key industry solution providers like Merck Millipore, Eppendorf, UPM, Solentim and Hamilton. Problems to be discussed include cell line stability, cell line authentication, scale-up improvements, contamination control and increasing reliability and consistency between batches.

Please take a look at the website for more detail  http://www.cellculture-congress.com/

December

Cell Therapy Manufacturing – December 3-4, 2014 – Brussels, Belgium

http://www.informa-ls.com/event/celltherapy2013

ASCB – December 6-10, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA

http://www.ascb.org/meetings-home

Headlines

“J&J Wins U.S. Approval for Hepatitis C Combo With Gilead,” Bloomberg Businessweek

“Johnson & Johnson (JNJ:US) won U.S. approval for its hepatitis C drug Olysio to be used in combination with Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD:US)’s Sovaldi, making it the second all-oral treatment available for the most common form of the virus.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “2014 BioProcess International Award Winners”

“Sanofi, armed with more strong PhIII dengue data, sets sights on 2015 rollout,” Fierce Vaccines

“Expanded results from Sanofi’s ($SNY) Latin American Phase III dengue vaccine trial are here, and the pharma giant says they confirm the high efficacy against severe dengue and the reduction in hospitalization the jab posted in its first Phase III study. And with these in tow, the company says it could have the vaccine to market by the second half of next year.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Three vaccines in development are poised to make significant impact on global public health”

“Novo Nordisk Invests $130M in New Diabetes Lab Facility,” Genetic Engineering News

“Novo Nordisk is investing around DKK 750 million ($130 million) in new laboratories at the firm’s R&D campus in Måløv, Denmark. Construction is already underway for the new facility, dubbedDiabetes Research House, which Novo Nordisk says will accommodate around 350 employees and should be ready for occupation in early 2016. The firm also expects the project to generate over 1,000 jobs outside Novo Nordisk during the construction phase.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “A High Throughput, Scalable Solution to Upstream Process Development”

“Mouse model shows genetics plays a role in Ebola severity,” Fierce Vaccines

“An individual’s genetic makeup may be the difference between life and death in patients exposed to the deadly Ebola virus, according to new research.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Last Week’s BioProcess International Conference and Exhibition”

“RAND Study: Biosimilars Could Save Health Care Billions,” Pharmacy Practice News“

The introduction of biosimilar versions of complex biologic drugs in the United States could cut spending on biologics by an estimated $44 billion over the next decade, according to a new analysis from RAND Corporation.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Flexible Facilities for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing”

“International Stem Cell Corp. Gets FDA Clearance,” San Diego Business Journal

“International Stem Cell Corp., a Carlsbad-based biotech company developing stem cell therapies and biomedical products, announced that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the company’s human parthenogenetic stem cell line for investigational clinical use.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “The Second Annual 24 Hours of Stem Cells Virtual Conference Begins Today”

“B-MS’ nivolumab impresses in Phase II lung cancer trial,” PharmaTimes Digital

“Bristol-Myers Squibb watched its stock climb 9% as investors rubbed their hands together on news that its key PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab) turned in an impressive performance in patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer.”

If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Interactive Scheduling is Key to Successful Biomanufacturing Operations”