Category Archives: Biotechnology

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0870808/Global-Markets-for-Media-Sera-and-Reagents-in-Biotechnology----Focus-on-Emerging-Markets.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=In_Vitro_Diagnostic

INTRODUCTION

This report explores present and future strategies within the media and sera market, including reagents used in biotechnology. The improvisation of the market, the setbacks and the needs of the market are discussed in this report. The types of cell cultures and the products from cell culture technology are also presented in this report. The advantages and disadvantages for the use of various types of media are also covered in this report.

A detailed analysis of the cell culture industry structure has been conducted. This includes the biotechnology reagents, media and the sera used. Revenues are broken down by global region. Sales figures are estimated for the five-year period from 2011 through 2016.

Applications for the cell culture industrymedia, sera and reagents used in biotechnologyare also discussed in the report, with an emphasis on the usage in the research, production and contract segments. The report also covers significant patents in each segment.

REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY

Demand for cell culture products, namely media, sera and reagents, is increasing, with the increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals. Cell culture, a crucial component of the life sciences industry, has witnessed major development during the past three decades. R&D spending, along with increasing competition, patent expiries, new technologies and an international marketplace are moving the cell culture process in a new direction. As cell culture technologies evolved, a number of disciplines such as cell biology, genetic engineering, protein chemistry, genomics and chemical engineering have been successfully incorporated into the cell culture field.

Acquisition strategies and collaborations by companies are also covered in this report. This study also discusses the strength and weaknesses of the different types of media used in light of the new technologies, growing competition and changing customer needs.

The lead consultant for this project was Dr. Kapil A. Setia, who holds a doctoral degree in the life sciences. She has a number of research publications to her credit.

Continued here:
Global Markets for Media, Sera and Reagents in Biotechnology -- Focus on Emerging Markets

NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Global Markets for Media, Sera and Reagents in Biotechnology -- Focus on Asia

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0870807/Global-Markets-for-Media-Sera-and-Reagents-in-Biotechnology----Focus-on-Asia.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=In_Vitro_Diagnostic

INTRODUCTION

STUDY OBJECTIVES

BCC's goal in conducting this study is to provide an overview of the current and future characteristics of the global market for media, sera and the reagents used in biotechnology. The key objective is to present a comprehensive analysis of the current market and its future direction in the media, sera and biotechnology reagents markets as an important tool for the cell culture industry.

This report explores present and future strategies within the media and sera market, including reagents used in biotechnology. The improvisation of the market, the setbacks and the needs of the market are discussed in this report. The types of cell cultures and the products from cell culture technology are also presented in this report. The advantages and disadvantages for the use of various types of media are also covered in this report.

A detailed analysis of the cell culture industry structure has been conducted. This includes the biotechnology reagents, media and the sera used. Revenues are broken down by global region. Sales figures are estimated for the five-year period from 2011 through 2016.

Applications for the cell culture industrymedia, sera and reagents used in biotechnologyare also discussed in the report, with an emphasis on the usage in the research, production and contract segments. The report also covers significant patents in each segment.

REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY

The rest is here:
Global Markets for Media, Sera and Reagents in Biotechnology -- Focus on Asia

PLANTATION, Fla. and HOUSTON, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Goodwin Biotechnology, Inc. (GBI) and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center jointly announce a collaboration for process development and GMP manufacturing of a fusion protein composed of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the recombinant toxin, Gelonin (rGel), conjugated to a DOTA chelator. The fusion protein targets the tumor neovasculature, or blood supply, and inhibits tumor growth, and the DOTA chelator facilitates the subsequent labeling with a radioisotope for diagnostic imaging and/or therapeutics.

GBI has completed process development and is readying for the GMP manufacture of the drug conjugate. The GMP manufactured drug conjugate will subsequently be radiolabeled with 64Cu and evaluated in an early stage, human clinical trial.

"Contributing to such a medical advance is exciting," noted Muctarr Sesay, PhD, Vice President of Process Development at GBI. "We have a long history of collaborating with Dr. Rosenblum and MD Anderson for GMP manufacturing of therapeutic antibody : drug conjugates that have been used in human clinical trials. With the current project, we are also leveraging our extensive experience with preparing conjugates for subsequent radioisotope labeling to develop this important product for diagnostic and therapeutic applications."

"I have worked with GBI for over 10 years producing antibody : drug conjugates, and have been impressed with their bioconjugation expertise and the service they provide," noted Michael G. Rosenblum, Ph.D. Professor of Medicine; Head, Immunopharmacology and Targeted Therapy Laboratory and Director of Research Development in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at MD Anderson. "The conjugate we are developing will hopefully enhance our ability to detect and treat primary cancers sooner, but it may also more accurately identify and inhibit metastatic spread earlier in the course of the disease."

About Goodwin Biotechnology, Inc. Goodwin Biotechnology is a fully integrated cGMP contract manufacturer of monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins and vaccines. GBI has the expertise and experience in cell line development, process development and GMP manufacturing of recombinant proteins and antibodies, as well as conjugated therapeutic proteins (e.g., antibodies conjugated to linkers for radioimmune therapy and diagnostics, other antibodies, proteins, chemotoxins, or plant toxins) by leveraging our proprietary conjugation technology. By working with GBI, our clients can enhance the value of their product candidates with clear development and manufacturing strategies and a road map to meet product requirements from the milligram, gram and kilogram range as the product candidates move along the clinical approval pathway. With nearly 20 years of experience as an independent contract manufacturer, GBI has worked with companies of all sizes from small university spin-offs to major research institutes, government agencies and large, established biopharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit http://www.goodwinbio.com/.

For more information on the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, please visit http://www.mdanderson.org/

For more information, please contact:

Goodwin Biotechnology:

Dave Cunningham

Director of Marketing

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Goodwin Biotechnology and MD Anderson Cancer Center Collaborate on the GMP Manufacturing of a Fusion Protein Conjugate ...

Background:
Switchgrass is one of the most promising bioenergy crop candidates for the US. It gives relatively high biomass yield and can grow on marginal lands. However, its yields vary from year to year and from location to location. Thus it is imperative to develop a low input and sustainable switchgrass feedstock production system. One of the most feasible ways to increase biomass yields is to harness benefits of microbial endophytes.
Results:
We demonstrate that one of the most studied plant growth promoting bacterial endophytes, Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN, is able to colonize and significantly promote the growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under in vitro, growth chamber, and greenhouse conditions. In several in vitro experiments, the average fresh weight of PsJN-inoculated plants was approximately 50% higher than non-inoculated plants. When one-month-old seedlings were grown in a growth chamber for 30 days, the PsJN-inoculated Alamo plants had significantly higher shoot and root biomass compared to controls. Biomass yield (dry weight) averaged from five experiments was 54.1% higher in the inoculated treatment compared to noninoculated control. Similar results were obtained in greenhouse experiments with transplants grown in 4-gallon pots for two months. The inoculated plants exhibited more early tillers and persistent growth vigor with 48.6% higher biomass than controls. We also found that PsJN could significantly promote growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under sub-optimal conditions. However, PsJN-mediated growth promotion in switchgrass is genotype specific.
Conclusions:
Our results show B. phytofirmans strain PsJN significantly promotes growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under different conditions, especially in the early growth stages leading to enhanced production of tillers. This phenomenon may benefit switchgrass establishment in the first year. Moreover, PsJN significantly stimulated growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under sub-optimal conditions, indicating that the use of the beneficial bacterial endophytes may boost switchgrass growth on marginal lands and significantly contribute to the development of low input and sustainable feedstock production system.Source:
http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/rss/

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Optivia Biotechnology Inc., a leader in transporter sciences and in vitro transporter assay services, proudly announces that it has received the 2012 CRO Leadership Award from Life Science Leader Magazine, winning Productivity, Reliability, Regulatory and Accessibility award categories.

Life Science Leader Magazine based the awards upon extensive customer surveys and in-depth interviews of more than 2600 outsourcing-facing biopharmaceutical executives, that were independently conducted by Nice Insight on a quarterly basis to assess the relative qualities of over 100 CROs.

Optivia is honored to receive this award as a validation of our leadership in the increasingly important field of Transporter Sciences, said Yong Huang, Ph.D., president and Chief Executive Officer of Optivia Biotechnology, Optivia has strived to deliver innovation, quality assay service and uncompromised customer support in meeting client needs. It is extremely gratifying that our efforts have been recognized by members of the biopharmaceutical industry we serve.

Optivia is the right company at the right time, added Dominique Bridon, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Optivia, The field of transporter sciences is rapidly growing in light of increasing recognition of its utility in multiple aspects of drug discovery and development, especially in accessing drug-drug interactions (DDI) as evidenced by the recent FDA DDI Guidance (draft).

Optivia will continue to invest in innovation and business practice, delivering clients best-in-class assay services, value-added solution and remarkable client experience," Dr. Huang added.

About Transporter Sciences

Transporter sciences study membrane transporter proteins and their roles in (patho)physiology and pharmacology. Transporters are a class of 300 to 400 membrane proteins that act as natures gatekeepers, regulating trafficking of important endogenous substances and drugs in the body. As such, transporters not only play a vital role in drug response and safety, they can be pursued as therapeutic targets for various diseases.

About Optivia Biotechnology

Based in Menlo Park, CA, Optivia Biotechnology, Inc. is a leader in transporter research and transporter assay services. Optivia develops and provides an array of transporter assays, database and models to help in the discovery and development of drugs with improved safety and efficacy. For more information, visit http://www.optiviabio.com

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Optivia Wins CRO Leadership Award from Life Science Leader

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (PBYI), a development stage biopharmaceutical company, announced that results from an ongoing Phase I clinical trial of its lead drug candidate PB272 (neratinib) given in combination with the anticancer drugs paclitaxel and trastuzumab in patients with metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer were presented in a poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting. This trial was sponsored by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a clinical trials cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

A phase I dose-escalating study evaluating weekly paclitaxel with neratinib and trastuzumab in women with metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer, NSABP FB-8.

The goal of the Phase I clinical trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of PB272 that could be given in combination with paclitaxel and trastuzumab to patients with metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer. The study enrolled patients with confirmed HER-2 positive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer, and documented disease progression following prior treatment with trastuzumab and taxane chemotherapy. Patients were administered PB272 at doses of 120 mg, 160 mg, 200 mg or 240 mg per day, respectively, in combination with paclitaxel given intravenously at a dose of 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28 day cycle until disease progression and trastuzumab administered intravenously weekly using a 4 mg/kg loading dose, then 2 mg/kg weekly until disease progression.

The results of the study showed that of the 120 mg PB272 dose group, 1 of 3 patients developed a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) consisting of grade 3 diarrhea. Three additional patients were enrolled and none experienced DLT. At PB272 dose levels of 160 mg and 200 mg, there were no DLTs. At the PB272 240 mg dose level, 2 of 3 patients had DLTs involving grade 3 diarrhea. The efficacy results from the trial showed that for the 15 evaluable patients, 8 patients showed clinical activity. This included 1 patient with a complete response (CR) as per the RECIST criteria; 1 patient with non-measurable metastatic disease (skin metastases) who demonstrated a complete resolution of disease; 4 patients with a partial response as per the RECIST criteria; and 2 patients with ongoing stable disease, of whom 1 has been ongoing for over 4 months and 1 has been ongoing for over 10 months.

Alan H. Auerbach, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma Biotechnology, said, "We are pleased to present the results of this Phase I trial at the ASCO Annual Meeting and to see such a strong indication of efficacy for PB272. In trials of other anti-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitors given in combination with paclitaxel and trastuzumab, the dose of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor needed to be greatly reduced, by as much as 50%, from the dose typically given as a single agent due to tolerability issues.

Based on the results of this trial it appears that we may be able to administer PB272, when it is given in combination with paclitaxel and trastuzumab, at doses very close to the dose typically used when PB272 is administered as a single agent. This could position the drug well against other anti-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitors in various settings, including the neoadjuvant setting. We look forward to continuing to study this combination as we continue to advance PB272 into further development in the HER-2 positive breast cancer population.

About Puma Biotechnology

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company that acquires and develops innovative products for the treatment of various forms of cancer. The Company focuses on in-licensing drug candidates that are undergoing or have already completed initial clinical testing for the treatment of cancer and then seeks to further develop those drug candidates for commercial use. The Company is initially focused on the development of PB272 (oral neratinib), a potent irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer.

Further information about Puma Biotechnology can be found at http://www.pumabiotechnology.com.

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Puma Biotechnology Presents Positive PB272 Clinical Data at ASCO 2012 Annual Meeting