News for July 2011

News Archive

New cancer treatment device goes into service New cancer treatment device goes into service

A treatment system called the Novalis® Tx™ has gone into service, which has the ability to destroy cancerous cells virtually anywhere in the body in a single, 20-minute session, without the need for a single cut of the scalpel.

Pharmaceutical R&D in the next decade: a perpetually moving storm Pharmaceutical R&D in the next decade: a perpetually moving storm

The pharmaceutical industry is facing tremendous challenges moving forward into the new millennium. These range from expiring patents on blockbuster drugs, to thin pipelines and stiffer regulatory hurdles, to name but a few; if it sounds like a major crisis then it probably is. In general, crisis management, which involves dealing with threats after they have occurred, is the result of poor risk management or inadequate strategic planning. As a result, the industry has seen an increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, which has resulted in job losses, mandatory efficiency campaigns across all R&D disciplines and an explosion in tapping emerging markets through outsourcing and acquisition-based market penetration.

Celebrating success: 2011 announced as the International Year of Chemistry Celebrating success: 2011 announced as the International Year of Chemistry

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced in 2008 that The International Year of Chemistry (IYC) would be celebrated in 2011. This exciting initiative celebrates success in chemistry hopefully to spark renewed excitement for the future of discovery in chemistry. IYC 2011 is an opportunity to encourage young, enthusiastic scientists, to celebrate the contribution of advancements in chemistry within our society and promote appreciation for women in science. By Ellen Smyth

Convergence Pharmaceuticals announces start of Phase II study for CNV1014802 Convergence Pharmaceuticals announces start of Phase II study for CNV1014802

Convergence Pharmaceuticals today announced that the Phase II proof of concept study with CNV1014802 for treating pain associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR) has started.

Gilead licence expands access, but several countries left out Gilead licence expands access, but several countries left out

An agreement announced today by pharmaceutical company Gilead to licence several HIV/AIDS drugs to the Medicines Patent Pool could improve access to medicines for patients. However, this agreement excludes several countries with large numbers of people living with HIV, the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said today.

‘Detox protein’ is collaborator in pancreatic and lung cancer development ‘Detox protein’ is collaborator in pancreatic and lung cancer development

Cancer Research UK scientists have revealed that a ‘detox’ protein which mops up harmful ‘reactive oxygen’ in cells could also trigger pancreatic and lung cancer development, according to a study published in Nature.

Government to invest in new research to tackle threat caused by sepsis Government to invest in new research to tackle threat caused by sepsis

The Technology Strategy Board and the Department of Health are to invest up to £7.5 million in new research and development that aims to improve the future diagnosis, detection and management of sepsis, a life-threatening illness caused by the body overreacting to an infection.