Healthcare industry

Nycomeds Board of Directors has appointed Michael Kuner Executive Vice President Legal. He joins the companys Executive Committee with immediate effect.

Article - 21/02/2008

The females choose their mates

The team of researchers led by evolutionary biologist Dr. Gerrit Begemann at Constance University is using swordtails to investigate the development of traits that evolved by sexual selection. Their major focus is the molecular mechanism of growth control in the caudal fin. Or put more simply why do these fish have swords?

The basic classification of bilateral animals is based on the comparison of their embryonic development and was confirmed in modern molecular phylogeny by the analysis of the relationship of the genes involved. Conserved groups of genes are responsible for the formation of the body axes.

The Centre for Regenerative Biology and Medicine ZRM in Tübingen has joined forces with Naturin GmbH based in Weinheim. The partners plan to develop new carrier materials on the basis of collagen which improve cell cultures and medical implants.

Article - 20/02/2008

Threadworms throughout time

Threadworms are versatile research objects and are excellent models for investigating fundamental evolutionary principles. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology use the Caenorhabditis and Pristionchus threadworm genera to study the molecular mechanisms of biodiversity.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO in Stuttgart is investigating the potential for system leaderships in computer-assisted medical technology from a holistic perspective. The project is part of the SysteMedic project.

Article - 18/02/2008

Baden-Württemberg to fund MediCyte research

MediCyte GmbH based in the Heidelberg Technology Park is among the winners of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science Research and the Arts biotechnology funding programme. The company will establish innovative cell culture systems.

The German Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan launched the Health Regions of the Future contest.

With the investment of 4.2 per cent of its gross domestic product in research and development Baden-Württemberg leads other German states and European countries in this sector. The 27 European states spent an average of only 1.8 per cent.

Nycomed is about to establish its own marketing and sales organisation in Venezuela. With this the company will operate from an own subsidiary in all four leading Latin American pharmaceutical markets Mexico Brazil Venezuela and Argentina.

Haemochromatosis is not as has been previously assumed a disease of the small intestine but a disease of the liver. Scientists from Heidelberg have shown in the animal model that the disease is caused by a mutated gene influencing hepcidin production.

mtm laboratories has launched the Cervatec assay for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The Cervatec assay will initially be commercialized as an adjunct to the Pap test for the screening of women aged 35 and younger.

Although the biomolecule DNS has provided many explanations and hopeful projections opinions are divided over the question of DNA being the carrier of genetic information. There is a huge need for clarification. Biologists clinicians psychologists lawyers and bioethicists discussed in Tübingen.

The German Medical Technology Association BVMed is hoping that the new information campaign MedTech-Compass will promote transparent and effective cooperation between the industry medical institutions and physicians.

Gravitation biologist Dr. Ralf Anken of the University of Hohenheim talks about his research with fish in an interview with Sandra Leppin from Hohenheim University. Anken At zero gravity the impressions received by the eyes and the organs of equilibrium do not coincide.

In its applied science and technology transfer activities Constance University of Applied Sciences will focus to an even greater extent on special research priorities and interdisciplinarity. For this reason three new institutes have been set up.

As one of the people who initiated the establishment of EMBL and in his role as founding director of the ZMBH Hermann Bujard has made a considerable contribution to the transformation of Heidelberg into a leading location for molecular and biological research in Germany. As the director of EMBO Bujard is now promoting the development of molecular biosciences across Europe.

European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen launched Enterprise Europe Network a new and powerful European support network for enterprises. All major players of the business support community in Europe have united to offer a one-stop service to assist especially small and medium sized enterprises.

In 1998 James Thomson was the first to generate stem cells from human embryos. BIOPRO will present the new methods in the field of embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell experts regeneration biologists medics and ethicists will explain whether they think that the new methods are useful or not.

A new funding module from the German Research Foundation provides funding to the tune of up to 1.25 million euros.

The new BPI office in Brussels will represent the European interests of German location-oriented pharmaceutical companies at European institutions. It is headed by Dr. Alexander Natz a lawyer who previously worked for the Sträter law firm in Bonn.

Applications written in English must be submitted to DFG by 31st March 2008.

The University of Tübingen opened its new laboratory for Preclinical Imaging and Imaging Technology of the Werner Siemens Foundation. The professorship is the only one in Europe combining preclinical imaging and the development of new imaging technologies.

Nycomed has granted Sepracor Inc. NASDAQ SEPR the exclusive development marketing and commercialisation rights for Ciclesonide in the United States. Ciclesonide is Nycomeds patented corticosteroid with a novel principle of action.

Article - 10/02/2008

4th Biomarker Workshop at the NMI in Reutlingen: another success

The Biomarker Workshop held at the NMI in late January has become a fixed date for a growing number of proteomics researchers. With an attendance of 130 this years workshop exceeded all previous ones. Those who were keen to find out more about the latest trends and findings were presented with a successful mix of basic and applied research information.