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Pharmaceutical industry regulation undermines NICE drugs appraisal work

The pharmaceutical industry's regulatory system is criticized for lacking accountability and being evidence-based, resulting in high NHS costs and inefficient use of technology appraisal work. The Cancer Drugs Fund is also singled out for criticism due to its inequitable allocation of funds and discrimination against other diseases.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateApr 29, 2015

World's first method for continuous purification of valuable antibodies

The Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology has developed the world's first continuous purification method for recombinant antibodies from clarified CHO cultures. This breakthrough technology is expected to significantly reduce production costs for highly valued drugs, such as cancer treatments and autoimmune disease therapies. The...

Virginia Tech plant scientist named AAAS Fellow

John Jelesko, an associate professor of plant pathology and physiology at Virginia Tech, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished contributions to the field of plant specialized metabolism. His research has led to a better understanding of plant metabolism with significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience·DateNov 25, 2013

The science of collaboration

Researchers propose a rigorous evidence-based approach to identify what works and doesn't work in collaborations, aiming to improve the efficiency of drug development. Thousands of organizations have come together in over 100 multi-stakeholder collaborations to solve specific problems.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 28, 2013

Computing toxic chemicals

A new computational technique developed by researchers at the University of Kansas allows industry regulators and consumers to predict whether a given compound will be toxic even at low doses. The method combines QSAR principles with statistical analysis, achieving higher prediction accuracy than previous approaches.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics·DateJul 18, 2013

Bacteria from Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia conceal bioplastic

Researchers have discovered a bacterium in South America that produces poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable compound used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The strain, Bacillus megaterium Uyuni S29, produces large amounts of PHB, making it a promising natural substitute for petroleum-based plastics.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Microbiology·DateJul 10, 2013

Are clinical trial data shared sufficiently today?

The lack of transparency in clinical trials has been criticized by Ben Goldacre, who calls for the sharing of Clinical Study Reports to ensure informed decisions about medicines. The problem of missing trials is one of the greatest ethical challenges facing medicine today.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 9, 2013

Breakup of physician, drug company relationship could improve health care, cut cost

A new report suggests that breaking up the relationship between physicians and drug companies could lead to improved healthcare and cost savings. Researchers from Oregon State University found that avoiding conflicts of interest and replacing industry-funded information with peer-reviewed sources can help physicians make more informed ...

SourceOregon State University·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateMay 20, 2013

Unethical advertising at launch of antidepressants

A recent Lund University study analyzed antidepressant ads in the Swedish Medical Journal between 1994 and 2003, finding that 34% were deemed misleading by industry self-regulation. The review process was criticized for being ineffective, with only 0.009% of sales revenue fined for unethical marketing.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 2, 2013

Catalyst in a teacup: New approach to chemical reduction

Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 24, 2013

New NIST screening method identifies 1,200 candidate refrigerants to combat global warming

Researchers at NIST have developed a new computational method to identify promising refrigerant fluids with low global warming potential. The new method identified over 1,200 candidates from 56,000 compounds, including fluorinated olefins that react rapidly with atmospheric compounds.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateSep 18, 2012

Journals and pharma collaborate on new recommendations

Industry experts agree on ten recommendations to improve reporting of clinical research studies, including addressing clinically important questions and transparent disclosure of results. The consensus paper aims to enhance the credibility of medical research publications by promoting standardization and transparency.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMay 7, 2012

An innovation star for Europe

CrossJect's Zeneo needle-free injection device addresses real market need with precise and reliable technology. The company has received significant funding from venture capital firms and the Eurostars Programme to accelerate development and bring its product to market.

SourceEUREKA·DateSep 30, 2011

New salts for chemical soups

Researchers at LMU München have developed a facile route to versatile organozinc compounds by synthesizing them as salt-stabilized solids. This allows for easier storage and transportation compared to traditional liquid forms, making them more suitable for industrial applications.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 29, 2011

Authorship rules for medical journals flouted by pharma industry

The pharmaceutical industry is accused of manipulating medical journal authorship rules to conceal its contributions. Alastair Matheson argues that the current International Committee of Medical Journal Editors guidelines allow for industry exaggeration and downplaying of commercial writers' roles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 9, 2011

Illinois scientists learn startling new truth about sugar

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that sugar decomposes rather than melts, offering new insights into food science and technology. This breakthrough enables food scientists to manipulate sugars for improved flavors and textures, as well as pharmaceutical companies to enhance excipients.