Healthcare industry

Researchers in Heidelberg have discovered a new strategy for an immunization against certain forms of cancer. They have determined that immune cells react strongly to the modified proteins in tumor cells in which a DNA repair defect has occurred. It is estimated that this repair defect is present in some 15 percent of all tumours.

Article - 28/05/2008

Valentin Wittmann: "Modules are a novelty"

The role of Prof. Dr. Valentin Wittmann chemistry professor at the University of Constance and academic dean includes providing answers to organisational and content-related questions relating to the chemistry and life sciences courses at Constance University. He is also the point of contact for students and school pupils who are interested in the courses. Martina Keller-Ullrich spoke with Professor Wittmann on behalf of BIOLAGO discussing the…

Nycomed announced the appointment of Guido Oelkers as the new Executive Vice President Commercial Operations. It is planned that he joins Nycomed in September 2008. Based in Zurich Guido Oelkers will be in charge of all Commercial Operations and its Area Managers with the exception of RussiaCIS.

Press release - 25/05/2008

Biosensor for measuring stress in cells

Scientists at the German Cancer Research Centre DKFZ have developed a biological measuring system for determining the oxidation state of living cells. The system enables researchers to directly observe oxidation state variations accompanying biological processes.

The Thurgau Biotechnology Institute BITg located in Kreuzlingen and associated with the University of Constance will receive a total of 1.98 million Swiss Francs over the next four years. Between 2004 and 2008 the BITg already received about 400000 Swiss Francs per year.

The NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen is a role model for how research findings can be turned into financially sustainable products and services. Prof. Hugo Hämmerle has been a key figure in this success story for over 20 years. In February 2008 he took over as Managing Director of the institute.

After years of directing his focus more on the molecular processes in the development of different cell types Prof. Albrecht Sippel has gone back to his roots. Despite his retirement six months ago Sippel started to actively participate in the search for human genes in the faculties of thought and speech that distinguish us from our animal relatives.

Press release - 19/05/2008

Viruses caught red-handed

Prof. Thilo Stehle biochemist at the University of Tübingen wants to capture and accurately study the moment at which a virus binds to a cell. He is hoping that further insights into this process might some time enable the development of drugs.

Vetters top management team is once again complete. As of June 1st 2008 Peter Soelkner will be heading a number of divisions at the Ravensburg-based company which specialises in the aseptic filling of prefilled injection systems. His new tasks will include Global Key Account Management Corporate Marketing Supply Chain Management and Project Management.

Article - 13/05/2008

The bachelor's degree as seen by companies: jump start or pole position?

The number of bachelors degree graduates in Germany is still low and companies do not yet have much experience of the new degrees. However one thing has already become clear A bachelors degree is not sufficient for all professional fields. Those hoping for a future in research must continue their university education beyond the initial six semesters.

Noroviruses often might be the causative agents of Nausea vomiting diarrhoea fever. The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office in Stuttgart has now developed a method that enables the detection of these viruses on food.

In an independent market study by Ceresana Research the latest data facts and trends of the antioxidant market are analysed and presented. Data concerning the antioxidant market are subdivided by region based on value and quantity.

In their 9th German Biotechnology Report the industry experts from Ernst Young paint an essentially confident picture of the German biotech industry. However despite the general optimism the picture has a few negative points no company will go public in 2008.

The Ravensburg-based company Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leaders in biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. We spoke with Max Horn, who has been with the company since 1981 and was appointed Managing Director in 2002.

Article - 04/05/2008

Better qualifications pay off

At the beginning of October 2008 the MBA course on Medical Devices and Healthcare Management will commence at the INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL TUTTLINGEN IBST. This masters course an extra-occupational two-year distance-learning course with attendance phases.

Immatics biotechnologies GmbH announced the start of a Phase III trial of its IMA910 cancer vaccine in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study will enroll about 70 patients in 8 European countries. The vaccine is developed to slow or halt tumor progression.

From the winter term 20082009 Ulm University will offer a new bachelor course in mathematical biometry. The course which is unique in Germany provides basic knowledge in applied mathematics computer science and the life sciences.

Professor Peter Öhlschläger established his major scientific interests very early on. During his degree thesis at the German Cancer Research Centre DKFZ in Heidelberg the immunologist succeeded in combining his two major interests namely virology and cancer. Öhlschläger is now junior professor at the University of Constance and mainly deals with the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines.

The company Rentschler from Laupheim in the south of Germany is nowadays one of the biggest biopharmaceutical contract manufacturers in Europe. This has not always been the case. A look at the companys history shows why the company which is nowadays run by the third family generation has become what it is today.

People with know-how must bear responsibility said the microbiologist Dr. Kilian Hennes who lectures bioprocess engineering at Constance University of Applied Sciences HTWG. Teaching is one of the major challenges for the experienced scientist and practitioner in particular because his discipline is seen as somewhat exotic by future process engineers and requires a different way of looking at things. But this is what makes his job truly…

Scientists from Mannheim Heidelberg an Freiburg working together in the cooperative research area Vascular Biology have developed a method that can be used to create a human vascular system in mice which stays functional even after several months.

Since autumn 2007 Constance has been one of Germanys Elite Universities. UNI-ZEITUNG spoke with Prof. Dr. Andreas Marx spokesperson for the Department of Chemistry and head of the winning Chemical Biology graduate school about the practical consequences.

Baden-Württemberg universities have adapted their healthcare training and education to different requirements and a number of different specialised courses are on offer.

Professor Roland Schuele from the University Womens Hospital in Freiburg originally studied biochemistry. Nowadays Schuele is researching the development of prostate cancer. During his scientific career he has learnt that research cannot be steered in a particular direction. It develops and we follow it said Schuele who has been able to gain astonishing insights into the molecular processes in tumour cells.

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center have discovered a key molecule that is responsible for the immature structure of blood vessels in malignant tumors. If this molecule is switched off in mice vessels normalize so that immune cells are better able to get to the tumor tissue.