The Dish’s Weekly Biotechnology News Wrap Up – September 19, 2014
This week’s biotechnology news headlines include, iPSCs cleared for human studies, academic-pharma aliances, ten volunteers receive Glaxo’s Ebola vaccine, Gilead licenses Hepatitis therapy in India, Roche begins Phase III for age related macular degeneration, stem Cell Therapy update and new antibody-drug conjugate deal.
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.
October
Bioproduction – October 8-9, 2014 – Barcelo Sants Hotel – Barcelona, Spain
BioProduction 2014 is Europe’s leading and largest event for a comprehensive update on operational strategies, technologies, regulatory challenges, manufacturing production and process development in biological manufacturing.
http://www.informa-ls.com/event/bio-production14?xtssot=0
BioProcess International Conference & Exhibition
Conference: October 20-23, 2014, Exhibition: October 21-23, 2014
Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA
Complete programming coverage of the full bioprocessing continuum – featuring 65 innovative case studies and 70 new data presentations intended for companies of all sizes and at every stage of development.
The world’s largest bioprocess exhibition – featuring over 150 exhibitors, lounges, and the BPI Theater with live product launches to help you plan future purchasing decisions.
Face-to-Face Networking opportunities that no other bioprocessing event can offer, plus access BPI’s event specific partnering tool to schedule meetings.
Headlines:
“Next-generation stem cells cleared for human trial,” Nature
“A Japanese patient with a debilitating eye disease is about to become the first person to be treated with induced pluripotent stem cells, which have generated enthusiastic expectations and earned their inventor a Nobel Prize. A health-ministry committee has vetted researchers’ safety tests and cleared the team to begin the experimental procedure.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease – Considerations for the Future“
“Gilead Licenses Hepatitis Therapy in India Amid Price Criticism,” Bloomberg
“Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) licensed seven India-based generic drugmakers to bring cheaper versions of Sovaldi to 91 countries, expanding the reach of a hepatitis C drug that is sold for $84,000 in the U.S.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Innovations Abound at the 2014 Annual International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Meeting”
“10 volunteers receive Glaxo Ebola vaccine with no adverse effects yet,” Fierce Vaccines
“As the death toll of West Africa’s Ebola outbreak reaches 2,500, GlaxoSmithKline’s ($GSK) experimental Ebola vaccine is being tested at the U.S. National Institutes of Health with no apparent ill effects so far, health officials report.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “New Study Compiles Extensive Database that Supports the Importance of Vaccination”
“Roche starts Phase III trials of eye drug lampalizumab,” PharmaTimes
“Roche is beginning Phase III trials of lampalizumab, the first potential treatment for geographic atrophy, the advanced form of age-related macular degeneration.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Raw Material Sourcing for Cell Culture Media – Important Considerations”
“The Trials of Stem Cell Therapy,” The New York Times
“Edgar Irastorza was just 31 when his heart stopped beating in October 2008. A Miami property manager, break-dancer and former high school wrestler, Mr. Irastorza had recently gained weight as his wife’s third pregnancy progressed. “I kind of got pregnant, too,” he said. During a workout one day, he felt short of breath and insisted that friends rush him to the hospital. Minutes later, his pulse flatlined.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Novel Stem Cell Technologies Presented at the 2014 Annual International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Meeting”
“Sutro ‘armed antibody’ technology nabs potential $300M deal,” Silicon Valley Business Journal
“Sutro Biopharma Inc.’s “armed antibody” technology — aimed at creating the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates — nabbed a potential $300 million deal with Merck KGaA subsidiary EMD Serono.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Flexible Facilities for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing”
“Notable academic-pharma alliances of 2014,” Fierce Biotech Research
“In an era of cutbacks in basic research by Big Pharma, companies are increasingly relying on academic and nonprofit collaborations for basic science and drug discovery research as output and productivity in the industry are declining.”
If you like this story, please see our blog titled “Interactive Scheduling is Key to Successful Biomanufacturing Operations”