Category Archives: BioEngineering

MEQUON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company focused on the development of innovative spinal interbody fusion implants, announced today that it has acquired two patents related to its current and future surface modification techniques. The first patent protects the company’s existing manufacturing process that has been shown to produce superior bone-forming activity when compared to standard PEEK and titanium implant materials during in-vitro cellular studies and has been commercially available in the United States since 2006. The second patent protects Titan Spine’s next-generation surface technology that further refines its nano features, which the company expects to produce an even more robust osteogenic response.

Barbara Boyan, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, is conducting in-vitro cellular studies on the company’s newer surface. She commented, “Nano technology is beginning to come to the forefront of the spinal industry. Even small modifications to the surface of a spinal implant at the micro and nano levels can have a profound effect on the biological response to the device, which, in turn, can influence the patient’s surgical outcome. Titan Spine has been pioneering this effort for many years and is continuing to evolve surface modification techniques to elicit increasingly beneficial results.”

“The acquisition of these two patents is important to the company on several fronts,” said Kevin Gemas, President of Titan Spine. “Not only does it significantly strengthen our Intellectual Property profile and protect our next-generation surface through 2023, but it also demonstrates our commitment to the growing belief in the spinal industry that interbody devices should do more than just act as a spacer in a marketplace where spine surgeons are increasingly being forced to change from their biologic material of choice. And lastly, but perhaps most important of all, these acquisitions create the potential for us to apply our scientific and manufacturing know-how to other medical device applications.”

About the Company – Titan Spine, LLC is a privately-owned medical implant surface technology company in Mequon, Wisconsin that is focused on the design and manufacturing of proprietary interbody fusion devices for the spine. The company is committed to advancing the science of surface engineering to enhance the treatment of various pathologies of the spine that require fusion. Visit http://www.titanspine.com to learn more and to view an animation that depicts the cellular response to the company’s surface technology.

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Titan Spine Acquires Additional Patent Protection for its Spinal Implant Surface Technologies

If you haven't accomplished enough in your life, it may be because you're not getting enough caffeine.

David Edwards starts his days with a couple of shots of espresso, and by the afternoon he is more or less inhaling caffeine.

The result has been impressive for a Midwestern boy from Ann Arbor, Mich., who admits he used to drag along in school.

Now, at 50 years of age, Edwards has published papers, books and novels. He's earned a PhD in chemical engineering. He teaches bioengineering at Harvard University, but he lives in Paris, where he is married to a French woman and serves as director of Le Laboratoire, a contemporary art and design center. His life's work spans the arts and sciences, from the culinary to the pharmaceutical. And lately he's been spinning off his greatest ideas into venture-capital-financed companies.

One of these companies is peddling an alarming new product called Aeroshot.

It comes in what looks like a shotgun shell. You huff on it like a pipe for an instant blast of caffeine powder. It's now on sale for $2.99 in Boston and New York, and at http://www.aeroshots.com.

So far, sales have been brisk, Edwards says. His product targets the young and the experimental, from college kids to 30-somethings--you know, the same people you see downing shots of 5-Hour Energy or slamming cans of Red Bull, Rockstar and Reload.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer calls Aeroshot a "club drug" and a "party enhancer." Schumer has asked the Food and Drug Administration to have a look at it. A similar request the senator once made put a sudden end to the idea of loading malt liquor drinks with caffeine, such as Jooze and Four Loko. Thanks to Schumer, consumers now have to find a corner where there is both a bar and a Starbucks.

Schumer is afraid children may get their hands on this stuff.

"This was an easy shot for him," Edwards says. "We completely agree with the senator that encouraging caffeine use among kids is not healthy, and it's not what we want to do."

For all of Schumer's grandstanding, Aeroshot is but an incremental technological improvement that merely changes the delivery mechanism of a substance found in Coke and Pepsi.

Why do we have to drink caffeine? Why not huff it like glue? Snort it like cocaine? Smoke it crystal meth? Or shoot it up like speed? How else are we supposed to get our work done?

Edwards says it's not quite like that. With Aeroshot, no caffeine enters lungs because the grains are too large to go down the windpipes, he says. The act of breathing simply coats the mouth and tongue, where the caffeine powder is quickly absorbed.

Each tube comes with 100 milligrams, or about the same dose as a cup of coffee. Since it's typically consumed in multiple breaths, consumers can more easily control their intake.

"This helps you use caffeine more wisely," Edwards says. "You take what you need when you need it, and you can actually get more for less."

I can't be sure how much of this stuff Edwards has inhaled, but some of his ideas seem a little trippy. One of his works of fiction, for instance, explores the question of whether an artist would discover the meaning of intelligence if he became a stem cell and then divided into a neuron.

Edwards also has invented breathable chocolate. "It's chocolate stimulation without the calories of pure chocolate," he explains.

And Edwards is developing breathable medicines, breathable vitamins, breathable foods and even breathable cocktails. The breathable caffeine, he says, was just to target a market where he thought he could get instant traction. At least he got instant Congressional attention.

"Inevitably, there are those who are comfortable with this, and those who are not," Edwards says. "We think this is a billion-dollar business."

That's more than enough to keep him up at night.

"There's a long history of caffeine being a creative stimulant," he says.

"It's probably part of the reason why I only sleep five hours a night....I'm not a big sleeper."

Al Lewis: 212-416-2617 or al.lewis@dowjones.com; read his blog at tellittoal.com.

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Lewis: Fully caffeinated professor dreams up business

LONDON, February 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Senior representatives from leading pharmaceutical companies including Roche Diagnostics, Lonza, Abbott, F. Hoffman-La-Roche LTD and Novartis MIT will meet at the Pharma Qbd Forum in Berlin, Germany on 24th-25th April 2012 to share their expert knowledge on how Quality by Design can be implemented in pharmaceutical development.

One of the main points of discussion will be the findings of the Merck Serono case study and how the lessons learned from this FDA Pilot Programme can shape the way for QbD projects in Europe and abroad. This session will be led by Pascal Valax, Group Head, Biotech Process Sciences, Merck Serono SA.

Speakers include:

Dr. John R Donaubauer, Director, Scientific Affairs Development Sciences Process R&D - Abbott Dr.Richard Lakerveld, Associate - Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing Serj Vartanian, Head of Global Quality Systems MBB - Baxter Healthcare Corporation Dr. Gawayne Mahboubian-Jones, Program head - Excellence in Science and Design - Philip Morris International Dr.Paul Stonestreet, Global Drug Substance Project Co-ordinator, Small Molecule Technical Development - F.Hoffman-La-Roche Ltd Dr. Dirk Pamperin, VP R&D - Synthon Pharmaceuticals Dr. Alessandro Butte, Head of DSP - Lonza Sarah Mercier, Scientist USP - Crucell Holland BV Dr. John Crowley, Head of Cell Culture Development - Lonza Biologics Dr. Andreas Schneider, Vice President Life Science Alliances - Roche Diagnostics Prof. Gary Montague, Professor of Bioprocess Control - Newcastle University Dr. Mel Koch, Executive Director - CPAC Centre for Process and Analytical Control (University of Washington) Prof. Mathieu Streefland, Professor Bioprocess Engineering - Wageningen University Prof. Jose Cardoso de Menezes, Department of BioEngineering - Institute of Biotechnology & Bioengineering

Conference topics include:

Building quality earlier in the process Improving process understanding Successfully defining criticality Defining continuous verification and the expanded change protocol Lifecycle strategies for biopharmaceutical QbD Implementing continuous manufacturing with QbD to reduce production timelines Translating established development practice into QbD

To view the complete programme, speakers and topics visit http://www.pharmaqbdforum.com

For all press enquiries, email sarah.brzezicki@wtgevents.com or telephone +44(0)207-202-7727.

Link:
Understand the Lessons Learned from the FDA QbD Pilot Programme - Case Study Merck Serono

February 15, 2012

Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Surgery Keefe Manning is scheduled to address student leaders at tonight’s UPUA meeting.

Manning plans to give a special presentation regarding the Honor Code and Academic Integrity Task Force, Chairwoman of the Assembly Kelly Terefenko wrote in an email.

Terefenko (senior-international politics and national security) said the task force has been charged with formulating a university-wide honor code, and Manning will present an initial progress report at the general assembly meeting.

Manning is a co-chair on the task force alongside Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Pamela Hufnagel. The task force was introduced on Nov. 1 in order to look into the possibility of creating an honor code at Penn State, Manning said.

The task force began by looking at various institutions across the country to see which had honor codes and which honor codes were successfully employed, Manning said. He added that the presentation to the University Park Undergraduate Association is the next step in the task force’s progress.

As of now, the task force is still gathering feedback from students and staff and plans on presenting their ideas to other student groups such as the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments.

Manning said that if an honor code is installed, it will not be looked at as a “code,” but more so a statement summarizing the ideals that Penn State, as a university, stands for.

“We’re looking at it as a statement of honor and integrity,” Manning said. “This is an all-encompassing umbrella — it is a central theme of Penn State principles.”

Apart from Manning’s presentation, one new piece of legislation will be introduced at the meeting.

The resolution, which Terefenko said she wrote personally, involves releasing funds for the 2012 student handbook, referred to as “The ‘S’ Book.” Terefenko said the project was already budgeted at the beginning of the semester, and this new legislation outlines specific details regarding the student handbooks.

Terefenko said the legislation stipulates that UPUA will print a total of 8,500 books — 7,500 to be distributed to all incoming freshman at the earliest FTCAP meeting on May 5, and 1,000 to be used for student activities and programs such as LinkUP and Winter Welcome.

UPUA spent about $14,000 on “S Books” for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The book includes a small campus map, screen shots of the eLion and Angel websites, interesting facts about Penn State and the lyrics to Penn State’s Alma Mater and fight songs.

Governmental Affairs Chair Adam Boyer said he thinks it’s a good idea that student handbooks will be distributed during the FTCAP day.

In 2010 and 2011, UPUA didn’t distribute all of the books to freshman as scheduled.

Boyer (senior-history and political science) added he thinks it’s too overwhelming for new students to receive the handbooks in their mailboxes at a time when they will be “flooded” with so much new information at the start of a semester.

Boyer said that the handbooks are not just meant for freshmen, but all incoming students to utilize.

Collegian staff writer Aria Moyer contributed to this report.

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Speaker to discuss Honor Code at UPUA meeting

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) announced today that the organization will hold its 9th Annual World Congress on Brain, Spinal Cord Mapping, and Image Guided Therapy from June 2-4, 2012 in Toronto, Canada.  The world's top brain and spinal cord scientists and surgeons will converge on the Toronto Metro Convention Center to find solutions to some of the most difficult to treat neurological disorders, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and neurological cancers. 

The 2012 World Congress of SBMT is jointly supported by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Government of Canada, the University of Toronto, and MaRS innovation; it is endorsed by the International Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Medicine.

The theme of this year's World Congress is "Nano-Bio-Electronics," which focuses on the integration of nanotechnology, stem cell research, and biomedical engineering, and imaging of the brain and spinal cord to make progress in the fight against neurological diseases. The aim of the Congress is to provide a multidisciplinary forum for health professionals in the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, radiology, neuroscience, engineering, as well as policymakers, to collaborate as a global alliance to rapidly advance treatment of neurological disorders.

"The meeting will help us kick start a unique and efficient consortium, which will unite scientists and consolidate resources in order to help us quickly come up with solutions for the devastating neurological diseases affecting millions and costing billions in the US alone," said Babak Kateb, Chairman of the Board of SBMT, President of the Brain Mapping Foundation, and Director of the National Center for Nano-Bio-Electronics (NCNBE). Dr. Kateb states, "The purpose of the Nano-Bio-Electronic alliance is to facilitate integration of nanotechnology, Stem cell and cellular therapy with medical devices and imaging. This consortium will impact global biomedical science and healthcare delivery through national and international partnerships with governments, universities, leading organizations and industries."

Among the notable participants of the 2012 World Congress includes Canadian Surgeon General Hans W. Jung, U.S. Navy Surgeon General Matthew Nathan, and Canadian Parliament Member Kirsty Duncan.  Dr. Duncan, an advocate for brain research in Canada and a global voice for neuroscience initiatives, stated "I am honored to participate in this important conference.  It is vital that we work to enhance our understanding of brain health through research and collaboration."  She added, "We must also affirm our commitment to improving the quality of life of those who live with a brain condition and of their families and informal caregivers."

Toronto was chosen for this year's meeting because of the city's strong and globally-connected network of neuroscientists, biomedical engineers, and investors in the biomedical and nanotechnology fields.   Michael Fehlings, chairman of the local organizing committee, Professor of Neurosurgery, and Director of the Neuroscience Program at the University of Toronto, said "The meeting will showcase Canadian and international neuroscience talent in a broad range of disciplines and will highlight the latest advances in imaging, molecular and cellular mechanisms, bioengineering and surgical intervention."

Parimal Nathwani, Vice President of MaRS Innovation, added, "Forums like this represent an excellent opportunity for reviewing technologies and supporting collaboration across different institutions for more effective translation and commercialization opportunity."

The 9th Annual World Congress is still accepting abstract proposals for the meeting's workshops, lectures, and presentation sessions. Abstract submission  is open now until March 15th 2012.

For the full list of 2012 speakers to register, or support of the 9th Annual World Congress of SBMT on Brain, Spinal Cord Mapping, and Image-Guided Therapy, please visit http://www.worldbrainmapping.org  or call (310) 500-6196.

Society of Brain Mapping and Therapeutics
SBMT is a non-profit society organized for the purpose of encouraging basic and clinical scientists who are interested in areas of Brain Mapping and Intra-operative Surgical planning to improve the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients afflicted with neurological disorders.

This society promotes the public welfare and improves patient care through the translation of new technologies into life saving diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The society is committed to excellence in education, and scientific discovery. The society achieves its mission through multi-disciplinary collaborations with government agencies, patient advocacy groups, educational institutes and private sector (industry) as well as philanthropic organization. http://www.IBMISPS.org

University of Toronto Neuroscience Program
The University Of Toronto Faculty Of Medicine established the U of T Neuroscience Program (UTNP) as a new academic program and appointed Professor Michael G. Fehlings as its first Director on September 1, 2008. The UTNP is a robust, integrated and collaborative academic program in neurosciences that leverages the unparalleled health science network at the University of Toronto, which includes U of T's many departments and institutes, health science faculties, 9 fully-affiliated research hospitals and 20 community-affiliated hospitals and clinical care sites.

MaRS Innovation
MaRS Innovation provides an integrated commercialization platform that harnesses the economic potential of the exception discovery pipeline of 16 leading academic institutions in Ontario. MaRS Innovation is a not-for-profit organization with an independent industry- led board of directors, funded through the Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence, the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Research and Innovation, and contributions of its member institutions. Designed to enhance the commercial output of Toronto's outstanding scientific research cluster, MaRS Innovation will make a significant contribution to Canada's economic outlook and the quality of life for Canadians and others around the world. MaRS Innovation will advance commercialization through industry partnerships, licensing and company creation. The MaRS Innovation mission is to put Canada on the global innovation stage, by better connection of research with industry and strengthening Canada's competitive capacity in the knowledge based business – in short, to launch a new generation of robust high growth Canadian companies.  www.marsinnovation.com

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is the organization that speaks for all of neurosurgery. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to promote the highest quality of patient care.  http://aans.org

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U.S. and Canadian Scientists Form a Global Alliance for Nano-Bio-Electronics in Order to Rapidly Find Solutions for ...

Brand Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products Corporation (the "Company") (TSXV symbol: BMW.V) is pleased to provide updates in the Company in the following areas:

1. OEM Contracts

The Company wholly owned subsidiary, Beijing Marvel Cleansing Supplies Co. Ltd. ("BMC") recently signed a master OEM contract with a subsidiary company of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. for producing different types of wet wipes under their private label for two years. Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has two subsidiaries listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. integrates pharmaceutical manufacturing, trade, and scientific research as a whole, covering the seven industrial fields of antibiotics, chemical pharmaceutical preparations, non-prescription drugs and health-care products, traditional Chinese medicines, bioengineering medicines, animal vaccines and veterinary drugs, and pharmaceutical circulation. Its products are of more than 1,000 varieties, over 20 kinds of dosage formulations, and 7 major series, involving antibiotic bulk drugs and powder for injection, Chinese patent drugs, Chinese medicine powder for injection, and comprehensive preparations.

The first order with an amount of RMB805,400 (approximately C$129,903) was received and is now in production.

The Company is currently in negotiation with other companies to produce OEM wet wipe products for them. The Company expects to sign the final agreements in the next few weeks.

2. New Production Line

The new automatic production line of large size wet wipes was delivered to our new factory. These machinery and equipment were installed and has been set up for testing and fine tuning. The Company expects that this new automatic production line will be in normal production in around a week's time.

The total number of production lines is now increased to seven. As compared with the production capacity before, overall total production capacity will increase by 300% when running at full capacity.

3. Company Website

Due to the regulatory controls in China, the Company experienced delay in having its new website goes alive. The Company expects the new website will go alive in around one week's time. The website address is http://www.brandmarvel.com or http://www.beijingmarvel.com .

About Brand Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products Corporation ("BMW")

Beijing Marvel Cleansing Supplies Co. Ltd. ("BMC"), the wholly owned subsidiary of BMW, was incorporated as a wholly foreign owned enterprise in Beijing, China in 2003. The Company was the first to introduce wet wipes to the Chinese market and has traditionally manufactured and sold a family of non-woven wipe products for personal and household applications. BMC currently develops and produces non-woven wet wipes for both domestic and international markets under the brand name "Dreamboat". BMC produces unique wipe products in a range of sizes and containers and the current product line includes universal and generic wipes, sterilizing wipes, baby wipes, cleaning wipes and feminine hygiene wipes. BMC is a leading brand in China with a national distribution network of approximately 132 distributors and a portfolio of wipe products sold in approximately 22,000 retail outlets including Wal-Mart and Carrefour.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Liao Yongliang"

Liao Yongliang,

President and Director

Cautionary Statements

Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statement. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements or information. We do not expect to update forward-looking statements or information continually as conditions change, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Brand Marvel Worldwide Consumer Products Corporation Update