Biotage AB, Sweden, has announced that the company will enter the peptide synthesis business, through two new agreements with the German company MultiSynTech GmbH. The agreements concern both the distribution rights for MultiSynTechs systems and the establishment of a joint development project.

The agreements with MultiSynTech will grant Biotage distribution rights for all the current peptide synthesis systems of MultiSynTech. The companies have also agreed on a joint development project to design and market a new microwave-aided peptide synthesis system that will increase yield and speed in peptide synthesis.

Source: www.bionity.com

In the United States, Chiron, a Novartis business unit, has agreed to extend and expand its blood screening collaboration with Gen-Probe until 2025. The companies will continue to work together to develop and commercialize molecular technologies that safeguard donated blood supply.

The collaboration between Novartis and Gen-Probe was established in 1998. It was previously scheduled to expire in 2013. Under the original terms of the agreement, the companies shared revenue from the sale of blood screening assays. Gen-Probe was responsible for manufacturing costs, while Novartis was responsible for commercial expenses. The companies shared research and development (R&D) costs.

Under the revised agreement, Gen-Probe will continue to be primarily responsible for R&D and manufacturing. Novartis will remain responsible for sales and marketing of the products, but will collaborate more closely with Gen-Probe on sales, marketing and distribution strategies. In addition to sharing R&D costs, the companies will share manufacturing expenses. Gen-Probe also will receive a percentage of end-user revenue.

As part of the expanded agreement, Novartis has agreed to help fund development of Gen-Probes PANTHER instrument, a fully automated molecular testing platform for blood screening units. The companies also have agreed to evaluate, using Gen-Probes technologies, the development of companion diagnostics for current or future medicines from Novartis.

Source: www.bionity.com

Honda Motor Company, Japan, has announced its plans to build a new research facility for bio-ethanol production technology from non-edible cellulosic material, such as the stems and leaves of plants. The facility will be built in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan. The new facility of Honda R&D will be a single building (1,050 sq. m), with construction scheduled to begin in April 2009. The companys goal is to begin operations in November 2009.

Honda has been collaborating on research into bio-ethanol production technology since 2006 with the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) and has been conducting research on a bio-ethanol conversion process in an experimental plant since April 2007. The new building will allow for research using a large-scale experimental facility, enabling more accurate evaluations.

Source: bioenergy.checkbiotech.org

Wockhardt, Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology major, has launched Glaritus, a novel recombinant long-acting human insulin analogue. With this, Wockhardt has become the first company in the world after the innovator to launch Glaritus that works slowly for over 24 hours. The new insulin has been successfully clinically tested on 300 diabetic patients for safety and efficacy parameters, and is approved by the Drug Controller General of India, the news release says.

The launch of Glaritus is a significant landmark for India, which has one of the highest diabetes affected populations in the world. The advantage of the new insulin is that it is a once daily dose that provides basal glucose control for 24 hours. Glaritus can hence be easily combined with other oral medications of diabetes for effective blood glucose control. Glaritus is a meal-independent, peakless insulin, which reduces incidences of hypoglycaemia significantly. All these translate into more compliance to insulin therapy, improved blood glucose control and therefore slower progression of diabetes-related complications.

Glaritus is available to the patients as reusable and disposable pen delivery devices. Wockhardt is one of the few select companies in the world to patent the technology of pen-based insulin delivery devices, which is one of the most preferred modes of insulin injection across the globe today. Wockhardt insulin pen devices are ISO 11608 approved and have won awards for excellence in packaging technology.

Source: www.biospectrumasia.com

The two oncology-focused biotechnology companies GPC Biotech AG, Germany, and Agennix Inc., the United States, have signed a Business Combination Agreement under which GPC Biotech is to be merged onto a new German company, which will hold all of the shares of Agennix and a 15 million cash contribution by dievini Hopp BioTech holding GmbH & Co KG.

The merger combines the oncology pipelines of both companies, with the clinical development and financial resources of GPC Biotech and dievini Hopp BioTech holding. The Boards of both GPC Biotech and Agennix have voted unanimously to support the proposed merger, which is subject to the approval of the shareholders. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. The new company will focus on the development of new anti-cancer therapies. The lead compound will be Agennixs Talactoferrin, a novel oral agent being developed for lung, kidney and other cancers, as well as for severe sepsis. Talactoferrin has entered Phase 3 clinical testing for non-small cell lung cancer. The new company will also focus on the clinical development of topical Talactoferrin for treating diabetic foot ulcers, and RGB-286638 from GPC Biotech, a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor for advanced solid tumours.

Source: www.bionity.com