Tag: Europe
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Sugar Beet Genome Sequenced, Human Impact on Species Noted
Geneticists and computer scientists in Germany, Spain, and Sweden sequenced the genome of the sugar beet, a plant contributing a large segment of the world’s sugar production. The study offers an analytical reference for advances in biotechnology with implications for agriculture and renewable energy. The team led by biology professor Bernd Weisshaar at Bielefeld University…
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Bayer Acquires Cancer Drug Developer Algeta for $2.9B
The global pharmaceutical company Bayer Group based in Germany is buying the specialty drug company Algeta ASA in Oslo, Norway for NOK 17.6 billion (USD 2.9 billion). Algeta, developer of a radium-based drug to treat prostate cancer, says its board of directors approved the sale, subject to confirmation by shareholders. Bayer and Algeta collaborated on…
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Immunotherapy Shown Effective in Brain Tumor Animal Test
Researchers at University of Zurich in Switzerland tested a therapy in lab mice that harnesses the immune system to fight glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The team led by Zurich immunologist Burkhard Becher reported its findings yesterday online in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (paid subscription required) and seeks commercial partners for accelerated…
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Roche, Biotech Ink Cancer Vaccine/Immunotherapy Deal
The company immatics biotechnologies GmbH in Tuebingen, Germany and the global pharmaceutical maker Roche will collaborate on discovery and development of cancer vaccines and therapies that harness the human immune system. The deal will provide immatics (spelled in all lower case) an immediate payment of $17 million, but future payments to the company could reach…
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Simple Test Cuts Antibiotic Use Among Sore Throat Patients
Researchers at University of Southampton and other institutions in the U.K. and Australia found a simple nine-item test can help clinicians better determine if patients complaining of a sore throat need antibiotics. The team led by Southampton’s Paul Little, professor of primary care research, published its findings in a recent issue of the British Medical…
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Myelin Foundation to Assess Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Myelin Repair Foundation in Saratoga, California is collaborating with drug development company Bionure Inc. in Barcelona, Spain to evaluate Bionure’s compound BN201 as a therapy candidate for multiple sclerosis. Financial aspects of the agreement were not disclosed. Multiple sclerosis is a condition where the immune system attacks the central nervous system and damages the fatty,…
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Peptide Developed to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Researchers at University of Copenhagen in Denmark and University of British Columbia in Canada developed and tested in the lab a substance they say quickly and effectively kills multiple types of bacteria, including those resistant to current antibiotics. The team led by Copenhagen’s Henrik Franzyk and UBC’s Robert Hancock published their findings last week in the…
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Trial Underway Testing Genetic Disease Stem Cell Therapy
A clinical trial is underway testing a therapy based on a patient’s own stem cells to treat childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD), a rare genetic disease affecting mainly boys. The trial began treating the first of an expected 15 patients testing the therapy made by bluebird bio, a biotechnology company in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Paris, France.…
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St. Jude Medical Acquires Leadless Pacemaker Developer
St. Jude Medical, a medical device company in St. Paul, Minnesota, is acquiring Nanostim Inc., a developer of self-contained leadless heart pacemakers in Sunnyvale, California. Shareholders in the privately owned Nanostim can receive up to $188.5 million in upfront cash and milestone payments as a result of the purchase. St. Jude Medical has a relationship…
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Fortified Hydrogel Cartilage Regeneration Technique Devised
Researchers at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland developed a method for delivering regenerative drugs at the right place and time to repair damaged cartilage tissue. The team from EPFL’s biomechanical orthopedics and polymers labs published advance results this week of their proof-of-concept tests in the journal Biomaterials (paid subscription required). Because cartilage has…