Helia Medical announced it has signed an agreement with a Malaysian drug company, Siogen Biotech, to develop the oral medicine for treating diabetic dogs.
The approach will use extremely small nanoparticles to carry and slowly release synthetic human insulin into diabetic dogs.
The companies aren't disclosing financial or other details about the arrangement, except to say it's to begin within the next couple of months.
Siogen is developing nanoparticle delivery systems for various substances.
Helia says its primary mission is developing novel and effective drugs, devices and nanoparticles for the veterinary medical world.
Work has begun on matching the woodwork through out the Center's RTP office. Construction equipment has begun to move off-site and landscaping has begun. Next is furniture and signage and a few other "minor" details.
Stay tuned for information about our opening.
Thousands of students, from rural mountain schools to coastal institutions, are finding new ways to access North Carolina's expanding array of careers in the life sciences, thanks to Educational Enhancement Grants (EEGs) from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
The Center's latest round of 14 EEGs total nearly $423,000.
The grant program supports the design and implementation of biotechnology education programs at K-12 schools, school systems, community colleges, private colleges, universities and museums. It doesn't support building projects, but the grant funding is sometimes used for equipment.
"These grants highlight the creativity and diversity of educators across the state as they help students find new ways to engage in the life sciences," said Kathleen Kennedy, Ph.D., vice president of Education and Training Programs for the Biotechnology Center.
"With this latest round of 14 awards, we've provided a total of $6 million to educational institutions across the state - funding that goes directly into the classroom to help students learn about the opportunities in biotechnology and expand the knowledge base of our workforce. These development goals have been part of the Center's mission since it was established by North Carolina leaders nearly three decades ago."
The Biotechnology Center has distributed 191 of the awards since the program began in 1991. The EEGs from the most recent round of distribution, ranging from $2,000 to nearly $67,000, include:
Research Triangle area
Eastern North Carolina
Western North Carolina
Greater Charlotte
Southeastern North Carolina
Piedmont Triad
The Biotechnology Center will issue its next round of EEGs, for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, on Feb. 1. They'll be drawn from the most compelling applications from educators who have been invited to apply, based on pre-proposals they've already submitted for review to the Biotech Center.
The closure is to make way for construction workers to revise flooring and do other projects associated with connecting the original Biotechnology Center building, built in 1992, to the 20,000-square-foot, four-story addition.
Some 200 construction jobs have been supported by the $10.4 million project, started last July with a combination of public and private funding.
Biotechnology Center employees will occupy the new addition this fall.
BD, a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells devices, instrument systems and reagents, recently concluded a $20 million expansion in Alamance County, where it has grown to about 40 employees since buying TriPath Imaging four years ago.
The company, headquartered in Franklin Lakes, N.J., has other facilities in the Triad and in Research Triangle Park. Since it first moved into North Carolina 38 years ago, BD has grown to occupy five locations employing some 900 people.
Gov. Bev Perdue said North Carolina will provide a $600,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund as an incentive for the project, which requires a local match.
She said the average pay for the new BD jobs in Johnston County will be $28,771 plus benefits -- slightly below the county average of $31,408, but welcome nonetheless.
]]>
North Carolina Central University has named Emory University program director K. Sean Kimbro, Ph.D., as director of the Julius L. Chambers Biotmedical/Biotechnology Research Institute. Kimbro will also serve as an associate professor of biology at NCCU.
More...
HIV/AIDS experts from RTI International are presenting 22 papers and poster sessions to thousands of attendees from around the world, during six days at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna July 18 through 23. More...
AjiGRAS-Leucine, an amino acid product developed by Raleigh-based Ajinomoto AminoScience, has been given GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the US Food and Drug Administration, which allows the ingredient to be incorporated into foods and beverages such as sports and isotonic drinks, vitamin-enhanced waters and meal-replacement bars. More...
]]>Jonathan Bryant, Ph.D., vice president of BASF Plant Science LP, cited the state's outstanding educational institutions, agricultural heritage, business-friendly environment and highly trained workforce among the key reasons his 11-year-old organization has grown and prospered in Research Triangle Park.
Bryant, a native of England, and Ken Tindall, Ph.D., the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's senior vice president for science and business development, outlined North Carolina's bright future for creating new agricultural jobs.
The show's host, producer Deborah Holt Noel, highlighted the sector on the news show because the BASF ag research company recently won the North Carolina Leadership Award in Industrial Biotechnology.
The Biotechnology Center presented the award during the World Congress for Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing in Washington, D.C.
Tindall noted that bioscience will play a major role as the state pursues a $30 billion expansion of its $70 billion agricultural economy during the coming decade. More than 530 life science companies already employ some 57,000 people, including many in agriculture-related firms like BASF, he said.
Tindall and Bryant noted that biotechnology offers the best hope for increasing crop yields and farmers' efficiency while reducing chemical use, soil erosion and energy consumption.
]]>The agreement is aimed at streamlining the vaccine production process by using Biolex's patented LEX System, which uses a genetically engineered form of lemna, the common aquatic plant known as duckweed, to create the proteins needed for vaccines.
The companies didn't disclose the financial terms of the expanded pact.
"The broad expansion of the Merial collaboration is a clear demonstration of the potential of our LEX System to produce safer and more efficacious vaccines in a more cost- and capital-efficient manner," said Jan Turek, Biolex president and CEO.
Biolex was founded on technology developed by Anne-Marie Stomp, Ph.D., with help from a $100,000 loan from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Stomp was recruited to North Carolina State University in 1986 on an Oliver Smithies Faculty Recruitment Grant from the Biotechnology Center, because of her expertise in forestry research. But she later took an interest in duckweed, which grows significantly faster than trees.
Stomp's research created the protein-production technology that was ultimately licensed to Biolex. Biolex has subsequently brought in well more than $100 million in further venture and partnership funding.
]]>PPD's agreement with Albuquerque- based Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI) covers future service opportunities for biopharmaceutical and government clients across a range of therapeutic areas.
The companies said they plan to refer potential business opportunities to one another for laboratory, preclinical and clinical development services they do not offer to their respective clients. In addition, they intend to work together on some new research projects.
"As demand for preclinical services grows, our collaboration with LBERI builds on our strong capabilities and competitive position, particularly in the areas of respiratory, infectious diseases, health outcomes and epidemiology," said David Grange, chief executive officer of PPD.
]]>
North Carolina State University scientist Todd Klaenhammer, Ph.D., whose award-winning research has been boosted by two $40,000 grants from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, has landed another major accolade.
Klaenhammer has won the 2010 Elie Metchnikoff Prize in biotechnology, given by the International Dairy Foundation and its partners to celebrate scientific discoveries. The prize is named for Nobel prize winner Elie Metchnikoff, a pioneer in studying the potential health effects of eating certain beneficial bacteria.
Klaenhammer was honored for his discoveries in genetic approaches to improving lactic acid bacteria, the "good" bacteria used as starter cultures and probiotics in fermented food and dairy products, such as yogurt.
His recent research has focused on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the survival and activity of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. He used that information to develop live bacterial delivery systems for oral vaccines.
Klaenhammer is a Distinguished University Professor and William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of food, bioprocessing and nutrition sciences. He also directs the Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center, which develops and applies new technologies for processing milk and its components into products with improved qualities.
]]>The Biotechnology Center has identified at least 164 North Carolina firms developing new medical therapies that are eligible to apply until next Wednesday, July 21, for up to $5 million each in federal tax credits and grants.
The windfall is possible because of the Qualified Therapeutic Discovery Project tax credit, part of the federal healthcare reform act.
Eligible therapies:
The for-profit companies across North Carolina that fit the criteria are small businesses, employing 2,047 people -- an average of 12 per firm. The average age of these companies is 8 years (i.e. founded in 2002).
]]>
By Jim Shamp, Senior Editor
ZEBULON, N.C. -- North Carolina's pharmaceutical companies don't have far to go to get world-class drug manufacturing help.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH GSK ZEBULON'S PHIL PRIEST
GlaxoSmithKline, for example, is hanging out the "for hire" shingle, offering to do contract work for anyone from clinic-ready start-ups to established drug makers.
Phil Priest, vice president and site director with the company's Global Manufacturing & Supply group, said GSK's state-of-the-art site here has had good experiences with limited manufacturing of other companies' products, and now stands ready to expand that offering. (SEE VIDEO)
The Zebulon facility primarily supplies GSK's North American markets with solid-dose drugs, such as tablets and capsules; inhalants; and packaging. Priest said the facility is mainly equipped to handle small-molecule drugs rather than biologicals, but the site's expertise and capabilities might support a wide range of production needs.
"I don't think many others know that GSK is interested in doing this," said the British-born Priest, who has been at the helm of the Zebulon plant since January, after serving in a number of other GSK posts around the globe.
"We have done some solid-dose production for others," he said, "but this state-of-the-art facility has a very capable technical organization that can handle batch solids, granulation and drying, you name it. This facility averages one product launch a year, so our people can bring a lot of expertise to our clients."
Priest says the plant is prepared to take on the full range of production in all dosage forms, from clinical trial supplies through launch of a new pharmaceutical and its global supply needs. More information is available by calling Priest at (919) 269-1069 or by sending an e-mail to phil.r.priest@gsk.com.
"We're proud of our 'voice of the customer' mentality," he said, "meaning we provide service, quality and cost advantages. Some might be surprised to hear that a large company like GSK can be competitive in this way, especially on cost. But we're ready to prove it."
GSK's North American headquarters is in Research Triangle Park.
]]>Draper, 63, was president and director of the First Flight Venture Center incubator in Research Triangle Park.
Previously, Draper had served as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations for the state's Technological Development Authority, which became First Flight.
An attorney, he had 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and private equity investor, several as a venture capital consultant for Kestrel Venture Management (a private equity investment firm that was a successor to Corning Venture Management).
He also founded Runtal North America, a startup company supplying cosmetically attractive architecturally engineered radiators to the construction industry.
He also worked at the Division of Sponsored Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reviewing technology for patentable innovations.
"John Draper was an attorney, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for technology start-ups," said Ken Tindall, Ph.D., senior vice president, Science and Business Development for the North Carolinda BIotechnology Center.
"As a FFVC board member, I had the pleasure of working with John for many years and under his guidance the FFVC flourished. A number of the companies that we have helped to support through the Biotechnology Center's loan programs are either residents or graduates of the FFVC. John was a key member of our community. He will be missed."
Draper held a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
A memorial service will be held to honor Draper's life next Tuesday, July 13, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the First Flight Venture Center, 2 Davis Drive in Research Triangle Park.
]]>The firms said they mutually ended the 7-year-old agreement, but gave no reason.
The firms were developing a protein technology Cornerstone originally licensed from New York's Feinstein Institute for Medical Research to treat inflammations related to conditions such as stroke, heart attack and arthritis.
Cornerstone said it has acquired all rights to the technology and plans to seek another partner in its development.
]]>Life-science innovation and commercialization have put North Carolina on the map, and mayors across the state say they want to keep the momentum going.
They weren't alone Tuesday -- Gov. Beverly Perdue and former Congressman Dick Gephardt, among others, joined them with messages of agreement and support.
Dozens of mayors, economic development specialists and other statewide leaders gathered at the City Club in Raleigh for their second annual meeting aimed at supporting the life sciences to create jobs and boost lifestyles.
Norris Tolson, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Center, told the gathering that the life-science sector has been the only bright spot in the state's economic landscape during the recession, adding jobs when virtually all other sectors declined.
NCBIO President Sam Taylor spelled out details of the trade association's efforts during the past year, and invited the community leaders to suggest ideas for improving the statewide growth of life science business activity.
Gov. Beverly Perdue dashed over to give the group a brief lunchtime pep talk before returning to government headquarters to oversee finalization of the state's 2010-11 budget.
Though the $19 billion spending plan included many reductions, the final budget also includes several provisions that maintain support for the life sciences statewide.
Gephardt, a long-time Missouri Democratic Congressman who is now retired from politics, spoke to the group as chairman of the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI).
CAMI was formed to support policies that can enhance innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Gephardt brought his CAMI message to North Carolina leaders on the heels of a similar visit to Delaware, as he drums up grass-roots support for continued growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
"The purpose of health care is extending life with quality," said Gephardt. "We've done that."