Category Archives: Biotechnology

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Canada's biotech industry today welcomed the federal budget and its measures supporting the advancement of Canadian innovation in biotechnology centered sectors such as health/bio-sciences, clean technology and agri-food. Importantly the budget proposes support for the acceleration of innovation through the establishment of sector specific superclusters, including health/bio-sciences, agri-food and clean technology.

"The core of our industry is innovation - much of it coming out of universities. The Budgets focus on innovation and creating super clusters in biotechnology centered fields including health/bio-sciences, agri-food, and clean technology recognizes Canadas strengths in these areas and the enormous opportunity for the economy in successfully advancing biotechnology innovation. Today's commitments will result in products and therapies of the future and will accelerate the use of biotechnology in supporting the global competitiveness of Canadas traditional cornerstone economic sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining, energy and advanced manufacturing," commented Andrew Casey, President and CEO BIOTECanada.

Drawing on the nation's rich legacy of research, Canada now has an opportunity to become one of the worlds most successful modern biotech regions by transitioning its traditional industries into the new economy while drawing on its considerable strength of its investment in research. From universities, small mid-sized companies, hospitals and public research agencies across the country, Canadian biotech scientists make up the ecosystem ensuring Canadas biotechnology sector thrive.

Importantly, Canada already has in place many of the components necessary for global competitiveness and success in biotechnology. Indeed, Canada is home to a number of regional clusters which bring together: world-class universities and research institutes; biotech entrepreneurs; a significant multinational industry presence; and, a highly educated workforce. All told, the Canadian national biotech ecosystem is an economic strength that positions Canada well to compete in the emerging global bio-economy. The Budget will help harness many of these strengths to accelerate Canadas biotechnology innovation progress.

BIOTECanada looks forward to working with the federal government over the months ahead, offering a coordinated set of recommendations and mechanisms for the announced programs. Implementation consultations are key to ensuring the commitments realize the potential they offer to the biotechnology industry.

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BIOTECanada: Federal Budget Strengthens Biotechnology Industry Ecosystem Building Canadian Economy - Yahoo Finance

Buy, Sell or Hold? Analysts Approach: Innoviva (INVA), Puma ... The USA Commerce Shares of Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:PBYI) dropped -2.02% to $38.90. During the trading on 03/27/2017, Company's stock ranged from $39.70 to ... Puma Biotechnology Inc (NASDAQ:PBYI) Broker Price Targets For ...Fiscal Standard Watch List: Puma Biotechnology Inc (NASDAQ:PBYI) , Red Rock ...NYSE Journal (press release) all 3 news articles »

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Buy, Sell or Hold? Analysts Approach: Innoviva (INVA), Puma ... - The USA Commerce

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd (NASDAQ:APOP, TASE:APOP) shares shot up 74% in New York after it successfully performed the first stem cell transplant procedure on a cancer patient.

It happened in the group's phase I/II clinical trial in a blood cancer patient.

The stem cell firm's chief executive Dr Shai Yarkoni said: After 15 years of research, this is the first time we have used our technology on a cancer patient suffering from life-threatening conditions.

"It is a first good step on a road that we hope will lead to stem cell based regenerative medicine becoming a safe commodity treatment at every hospital in the world.

Up to half of all stem cell transplant procedures, such as bone marrow transplants, result in life-threatening rejection disease, known as Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GvHD).

But the firm's ApoGraft technology aims to stop all that.

Now, the independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) has approved the enrolment of two further patients for the ApoGraft treatment to complete the first study cohort as planned.

Shares shot up 74% to reach $10.9 each.

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First successful stem cell cancer transplant sees Cellect Biotechnology shares surge - Proactive Investors USA & Canada

Biotechnology Gets A Shot In the Arm Barron's The healthcare sector has been doing rather well, gaining 8.9% year-to-date. Behind just information technology, healthcare stocks have outpaced Trump sectors including materials, industrials, and financials so far, suggesting that investors may be ... iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) volatility low into Credit Suisse ...StreetInsider.com iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) Rating Increased to ...BBNS all 5 news articles »

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Biotechnology Gets A Shot In the Arm - Barron's

What happened

Cellect Biotechnology (NASDAQ:APOP), an Israeli-based stem-cell company, today announced the first successful stem cell transplant procedure using its ApoGraft technology in a combined phase 1/2 clinical trial in a blood cancer patient, causing its shares to rise by as much as 115%. The company's stock has since cooled off, but is still up by 80% as of 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Image source: Getty Images.

Even though stem cell transplants can be a curative treatment for many blood disorders and blood-related cancers, they tend to be a treatment of last resort because of their life-threatening side effects, such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). So, if Cellect's ApoGraft technology turns out to be a viable workaround, it would be a major advancement in the field, and potentially an extremely lucrative product for the company.

While Cellect's announcement is indeed exciting, its stock still isn't a great long-term bet. Cellect exited 2016 with a paltry $8 million in cash andApoGraft is probably five to six years away from reaching the market. This current trial, after all, is simply a safety and proof-of-concept study that's not designed to provide a basis for a regulatory approval.

In addition, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals'adjunct T-cell therapy BPX-501 could reach the European market as one possible solution to the GvHD problem in blood cancer patients by early 2019, and in the U.S. by perhaps 2020. In other words, Bellicum has a significant head start on Cellect, which may diminish the commercial prospects ofApoGraft moving forward.

George Budwell has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why Cellect Biotechnology Stock Is Skyrocketing Today - Motley Fool

Agricultural biotechnologies are being applied to an increasing extent in crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture and agro-industries, to alleviate hunger and poverty, assist in adaptation to climate change and maintain the natural resource base.

They have not sufficiently benefited smallholder farmers and producers and consumers. More research and developmentof agricultural biotechnologies should be focused on the needs of smallholders.

In order to produce food in a sustainable way for an additional 2 billion people by 2050, a business-as-usual approach will not be sufficient.

This is especially true in the face of climate change and other forces threatening natural resources like biodiversity, land and water that are essential for food production and agriculture, including forestry and fisheries.

To meet these challenges, science and the application of biotechnologies as well as conventional technologies will play a key role.

FAO recognizes that when appropriately integrated with other technologies for the production of food, agricultural products and services, biotechnology can be of significant assistance in meeting the needs of an expanding and increasingly urbanized population. Regarding biotechnology, FAO assists its Member countries and their institutions by:

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Biotechnology | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of ...

Biotechnology is a popular trend that can be found in various aspects of our everyday lives. While it is true biotechnology is a very complicated concept to grasp, it is also one of the most promising technologies to be found today. Biotechnology will help our society address some of its greatest challenges moving forward. Below are some very common use cases for biotechnology most people will have come in contact with already.

It is anything but surprising to learn biotechnology has made a big impact on the medical sector over the past few years. Biotechnology, or more specifically, bio-processing, is used to develop new pharmaceuticals which are often difficult to produce due to purity quality control requirements. Some of the more popular biotech pharmaceuticals include Remicade, Rituxan, Prevarn, and Avastin.

Very few consumers give fabrics a second thought, other than to determine whether the material would rub against the skin. Interestingly enough, most fabrics are dyed through a fermentation vat process. Biochemicals are very common in the production of dyes, polyester, and nylon. It is evident there is some form of biotechnology involved in every piece of synthetic clothing we wear today.

Even though biofuel is not as popular as it could be, the concept holds a lot of merit for the future. Biodiesel helps reduce the carbon impact, which is of great importance to the future of our species. To produce biofuel, one needs specific plant-derived sugars which are then fermented using biotechnology to create ethanol. Further advances in the development of biofuel will see the introducing of alternative compoundsto jet fuel.

It may come as a surprise to find out Goodyear Tire is actively exploring the boundaries of biotechnology. Through a partnership with Genencor, the company is researching synthetic rubber created out of mostly renewable raw materials. In doing so, the company hopes to replace the crude oil requirements necessary to produce a single passenger tie.

As unusual as it may sound, some of the foods we consume on a regular basis are a direct result of biotechnology. Most of the products usedin food and [soft] drinks are processed using biochemicals. Sweeteners, flavors and acidity regulators found in nearly every product are just a few examples of how biotechnology is affecting our daily lives. Even the packaging used by supermarkets is made of biochemicals.

It appears very few people are aware of what can be found in alcoholic beverages these days. The production process of alcohol is a clear example of industrial biotechnology. This process involves converting starch to sugar and fermenting the yeast. Both parts are biotechnology in its simplest form. There is a lot more to the beer in a bottle than meets the eye, that much is certain.

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Top 6 Everyday Products Using Biotechnology - The Merkle

PUMA BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC. (NASDAQ:PBYI) Files An 8-K Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant Market Exclusive Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer. The Company focuses on in-licensing the global development and commercialization rights to over ...

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PUMA BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC. (NASDAQ:PBYI) Files An 8-K Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant - Market Exclusive

By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: March 24, 2017 12:45 pm CEEB 2017: The details of the course under each university is provided in three prospectus available on the official website

CEEB 2017: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi has announced that it will hold The Combined Entrance Examination (CEEB) 2017 for MSc in Biology, MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology and MTech in Biotechnology will be held on May 19, 2017. Candidates who are interested in the courses can apply online from JNUs official website.

The exam is being held by JNU on behalf of 14 universities that offer Agricultural Biotechnology, 32 that offer Biotechnology and six institutes offering MTech in Biotechnology. The details of the course under each university is provided in three prospectus available on the official website along with the fees to be paid at the time of admission. Candidates can also check the eligibility requirements for each college provided in the prospectus.

Steps to apply for CEEB 2017:

Go to the official website for JNU (jnu.ac.in).

Click on the admissions tab on the home page.

Click on the notification Combined Entrance Examination for Biotechnology Programmes [ CEEB ] Prospectus 2017-18 and read the prospectus provided for each course. Make sure to check all details before proceeding.

On the admissions page, click on Apply online and follow the link for CEEB.

Read the instructions carefully and click on I Accept Apply Online.

Fill in the details in the fields provided and click on Register.

Download a copy of the application form for further reference.

For more stories on CEEB 2017, click here

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JNU admission 2017: Applications released for MSc, MTech Biotechnology courses, check here - The Indian Express

Dr Kalpana Joshi shares her thoughts with BioSpectrum on current biotech education and the academia-industry gap

Dr Kalpana Joshi is Professor and Head of the Department of Biotechnology at Sinhgad College of Engineering (SCOE). The institute is affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and recognised by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi. Recently, SCOE has received NAAC "A" Grade. BTech Biotechnology course run by the department is first AICTE approved course in SPPU. Dr Joshi completed her doctorate in molecular biology from National Chemical Laboratory. She headed in-vitro biology group at Pharma R and D, besides giving consultancy to pharma companies like Glenmark, Matrix, Hyderabad and Orchids, Chennai. The SCOE department has a team of faculty with expertise in fermentation engineering, biochemical engineering, pharma biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and microbiology. Faculty is active in fetching grants for research, patents and publications. Dr Joshi shares her thoughts with BioSpectrum on current biotech education and the academia-industry gap

Do you think biotech schools are teaching what industry needs?

Field of biotechnology is ever expanding and evolving. Pharma companies have diversified into production and business of biotherapeutics, vaccines and immunologicals, and molecular diagnostics. Industries such as agri-biotech, dairy biotech, food biotech are coming up and have specific requirement of skilled manpower. I feel giving hard core fundamental knowledge of the subjects and skill development are essential to meet industry requirement.

Specific requirements of industry when it comes to biotech education?

Industry requires experienced and trained manpower. There is no time for training in companies. I remember my former boss used to tell me Kalpana this is not university for training. Take someone who would work from the next day.' Biotech schools need to develop necessary laboratory skills and strong basics.

Where is the gap according to you?

As a manager in drug discovery R&D of top pharma company, I used to interview candidates from renowned biotech schools in India. Major observation was students lacked practical skills and basic knowledge of fundamental subjects like microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry etc. We at SCOE decided to focus on developing strong knowledge and skills in three pillars of biotechnology namely microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology with blend of engineering fundamentals like mass transfer, heat transfer, unit operations, plant design and process development. We have created excellent facilities so that students get to handle top brand equipment like PCR, HPLC, Lyophiliser, fermenters, microfiltrations and develop practical skills in molecular biology, animal tissue culture and data analysis softwares. Gap is at many places. I can give examples. Students use graph papers to plot graphs. We need to train them to use Excel to analyse data and plot graphs using softwares like Prism and SPSS normally used by industries

What do you do to bridge the skill gap if it exists?

At Sinhgad Institutes, we have state-of-the-art laboratories where students are trained for developing practical skills in microbiology, enzymology, molecular biology, fermentations and reaction engineering. We also teach them computation and statistics. Students work on projects and develop skills in at least one technique such as PCR, HPLC or cell culture. They are trained to be analytical, logical and develop problem solving capacity. Students are encouraged to do industry internships and projects in collaboration with companies and national laboratories.

What has been the investment in student training?

We have invested in infrastructure, facilities, equipment and faculty. Faculty members are PhD/ MTechs from renowned institutes like NCL, IITs, ICTs with industry exposure. If faculty does not know what is happening in the industry then it is difficult to percolate it to students. We ensure that faculty gets exposure to industry and maintain interactions with industry experts

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Field of biotechnology is ever expanding and evolving - BSI bureau (press release)