Small seasonal changes in flu transmission can lead to big flu outbreaks

McMaster researcher investigates why influenza epidemics happen in the winter

18-Nov-2004 - Flu season is on its way to homes across Canada. But the question of why influenza epidemics take place in the few cold months of winter remains unanswered. Is it the change in the weather? The return to school? Or increased viral production under winter conditions? The answer to the increase of ...

Corautus Genetics Announces Publication of Gene Therapy Approach to Heart Disease in Circulation

18-Nov-2004 - Corautus Genetics Inc. announced the publication of preclinical results of the Company's gene transfer technology administered in combination with cytokines (blood cell growth factors). In a separate project, Corautus' technology is currently being tested in a Phase IIb trial known as GENASIS ...

Geron's telomerase and human embryonic stem cell (hESC) technologies to produce immortalized cells for research

16-Nov-2004 - Geron Corporation announced the publication of studies that demonstrate the synergy of Geron's telomerase and human embryonic stem cell (hESC) technologies to produce immortalized cells for research, biologics production, and therapeutic applications. In a report published in the November issue ...

Crucell Signs Agreement with IAVI to Develop AdVac® Vector for AIDS Vaccine Program

16-Nov-2004 - Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) have signed an agreement whereby Crucell will develop AdVac® vectors for use in IAVI's AIDS vaccine development program. Financial details were not disclosed. Earlier this year Crucell and IAVI entered ...

Nanogen Announces Clinical Diagnostic to Simultaneously Detect Multiple Respiratory Viruses

12-Nov-2004 - Nanogen, Inc., is developing new analyte specific reagents (ASRs) for clinical reference laboratories to develop and validate a single test to detect six of the most common respiratory viruses. Instead of testing for multiple viruses using individual tests, clinical laboratories could utilize ...

Microchip Biotechnologies Awarded $6.1M Grant to Build Next-Generation DNA Sequencer

12-Nov-2004 - Microchip Biotechnologies Inc. (MBI) has been awarded a $6.1 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to develop an innovative nanofluidic technological platform that promises to dramatically reduce the cost of DNA sequencing. The grant was the largest in a series ...

Scientists study innovative DNA transport element

11-Nov-2004 - Treating genetic diseases by introducing functional genes into the human organism: researchers from three European countries are aiming for a breakthrough in this process, known as gene therapy, using a new methodology. The network of scientists, including the German Research Centre for ...

Novozymes and Solvay to collaborate on digestive enzymes

10-Nov-2004 - Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Novozymes A/S have entered a collaboration to develop new products for enzyme replacement therapy for patients suffering from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, e.g., due to cystic fibrosis or after pancreatic surgery. It is estimated that 880,000 people worldwide ...

IntegraGen obtains European rights for MODY diabetes genetic testing and plans initial testing service for Germany next year

09-Nov-2004 - Paris, France. IntegraGen, the personalized medicines company, announced today that it has signed a licensing deal with Correlagen, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to provide MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young) gene testing in Europe. IntegraGen has established a subsidiary, ...

Maryland Biotechnology Company MetaMorphixIs Named "Business Leader" In Agriculture On The 2004 "Scientific American 50"

Prestigious List Recognizes Science and Technology Contributions from Many Fields

09-Nov-2004 - New York. MetaMorphix, Inc. of Savage, Maryland has been named by Scientific American magazine as a Business Leader on the 2004 Scientific American 50 - the magazine's annual list recognizing outstanding leadership in science and technology. Said Editor-in-Chief, John Rennie: "Scientific American ...