Word: biotech
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...biotech company Novavax, researchers are testing the use of virus-like particles (VLP), instead of the virus itself, to stimulate a flu immune response. Using this method, a vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 virus could be in production in 10 to 12 weeks, rather than the usual four to six months. "We have made vaccines against multiple flu strains and tested them in humans and gotten relevant and robust immune responses, which checks off the major boxes that the technology works against flu," says Rahul Singhvi, president and CEO of Novavax...
Other companies are taking an entirely novel approach and hoping to pick off influenza viruses in the nasal passages before they get deeper into the body and infect other cells. At NanoBio Corporation, a biotech company in Michigan, scientists are perfecting a topical nasal spray that would destroy any single-celled particles, like viruses, bacteria or fungi, on contact, while leaving our multicelled tissues intact. (Blood cells would be fair game for the destructive emulsion, however, so the solution could not be injected into the body.) In animal studies, says Dr. James Baker, the company's chairman of the board...
...could figure out even how to begin figuring it out. Tomorrow's careers are likely to require more knowledge of networks, probabilities, statistics and risk analysis. That's why it would be useful to have the standards-setting body be advised by recruitment officers from the infotech, biotech, medical and, yes, financial sectors...
Roche recently bought Genentech (DNA), a company in which it was already the largest shareholder. That deal was not just about firing. Biotech operations like Genentech are the next generation of pharma companies. Roche wants in on that action. It had the tremendous advantage of only having to buy part of the shares in Genentech. Aside from getting customers and new products, Roche got control of the whole company and merely had to acquire 44% of the shares...
...Amgen (AMGN) is still growing rapidly unlike most Big Pharma companies. Its biotech business is producing novel medical treatments that have kept Amgen's sales solid while old line drug companies have been shrinking. In the fourth quarter, Amgen spent $770 million on R&D and needs to do so to both further refine and develop new drugs. The firm is not cutting back on the essentials for keeping its product mix strong simply because the economy is weak. Amgen expects to bring in $15 billion in revenue this year, about flat with 2008. Amgen has several products in trials...