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Magnets Improve Understanding of Influenza Drugs
Using powerful magnets [sponsored link] to scan proteins’ atomic structures, scientists at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah are close to understanding why some drugs to treat the influenza A virus have become less effective, and how new drugs can replace them. FSU has patented this magnet-screening process…
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DoD Awards Contract for Bioweapon Therapies
Morphotek Inc., a developer of protein and antibody products in Exton, Pennsylvania, said it received a $2.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to fund further development of the company’s monoclonal antibody therapies against disease-causing staphylococcal strains and toxins. In February 2008, Morphotek received funding to support initial development of these therapies.…
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Virginia Tech Licenses DNA Delivery Platform
Techulon Inc., a life sciences company in Blacksburg, Virginia, has signed an agreement with Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. to license and market a new, traceable DNA delivery platform created to deliver genetic medicine to cells while carrying a tracker beacon so scientists can follow its progress. Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties is the university’s technology…
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Implanted Device Treats Balance Disorder
On 21 October, a University of Washington Medical Center (UW Medicine) patient will receive the world’s first device designed to quell vertigo associated with Ménière’s disease. The UW Medicine team that developed the implantable device plans a 10-person surgical trial of Ménière’s patients, which they hope will lead to its eventual use with other common…
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Small Business Admin Awards Science-Tech Support Grants
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $100,000 grants to 20 state and local economic development agencies, business development centers, and colleges and universities, under its Federal and State Technology (FAST) partnership program. SBA says the FAST Program is designed to stimulate economic development among small, high technology businesses through federally-funded innovation and research…
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NGOs: Technique Boosts Rice Production with Less Water
International relief and development organizations Oxfam America, Worldwide Fund for Nature, and Africare reported an improved method of rice farming known as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) that the groups say has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of millions of poor people around the world. The report released Wednesday is based on…
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Belgian Nanotech Company To Open Taiwan R&D Center
Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec), a company conducting research in nanotechnology in Leuven, Belgium said it concluded an agreement with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs to open the Imec Taiwan Innovation Centre (ITIC). The ministry announced it will co-fund the facility with Imec. ITIC is expected to expedite applied research projects with industry and academia to…
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European Approval Given for Cancer Pain Drug
BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI), a drug delivery technology company in Raleigh, North Carolina, said today its drug BREAKYL received approval for marketing by the German review authorities. Meda, a Swedish pharmaceutical company, partnered with BDSI on the development of the drug. The approval of BREAKYL by Germany will apply to all Europe Commission countries, since…
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NSF: Companies Investing in R&D Made More Innovations
Preliminary data from the National Science Foundation’s 2008 Business R&D and Innovation Survey (BRDIS) show large differences in making innovations when companies in the U.S. with R&D activity are compared to those without any R&D activity. These data are based on respondents to the survey and represent an estimated 1.5 million for-profit companies, publicly or…
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FDA Approves Anti-Coagulant Drug
The German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its drug Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate), an oral-administered direct thrombin inhibitor to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The company says this is the first such approval of a new oral anti-coagulant in the U.S.…