96-well EchoLUTION ultra-fast RNA/DNA extraction - flowchart. Just one centrifugation step is required to obtain highly pure inhibitor-free nucleic acid (left and right). If extracting viral RNA for, e. g., SARS-CoV-2 tests, the processing time is reduced to only 2 minutes (left). For purification of genomic DNA from various materials, the time varies from 10 to 30 minutes (right). Bioecho recently received the award „innovative through research. Picture: BioEcho

The ultra-fast track to viral RNA and genomic DNA

BioEcho develops single-spin and 96/384-well kits based on the patent pending single-step EchoLUTION nucleic acid extraction process. Highly superior to the commonly used silica-based solutions (bind-wash-elute), the isolated inhibitor-free RNA/DNA is detected with increased sensitivity. Furthermore, the whole procedure is up to 20-fold faster: Washing steps are not required, saving time, costs and plastic waste. Due to the expertise of its founders and employees, BioEcho also uses its know-how to support diagnostic or pharma companies with specialized scientific knowledge. Especially in times like these, BioEcho helps to accelerate accurate tests on certain RNA/DNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

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picture: sea and sun/stock.adobe.com

Brexit: the how of EU clinical trials post 2020

Clinical Trails With the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the known conditions will change and pharmaceutical companies not prepared will face serious issues and uncertainties. No extension of the transition period has been requested, and according to a joint technical notice by the European Commission, EMA and HMA, no further prolongation beyond 2020 is possible. EU pharmaceutical law will no longer apply for the UK.

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Vifor Pharma headquarters. © Vifor

Vifor Pharma in US$100m licence deal with Cara Therapeutics

Vifor Pharma and Cara Therapeutics have signed a US license agreement for Korsuva to treat dialysis patients with pruritus.

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Targeted Radionuclide Therapy uses radiopharmaceuticals, which are conjugates of a medical radioisotope and a tumour-specific targeting molecule, recognising the tumour cell precisely according to the lock-and-key principle. Picture: ITM Isotopen Technologien München AG

Radiant Precision

Precision Oncology High-Precision Radionuclide Therapy is a promising, new generation of targeted molecular therapy in which the smallest amounts of medical radioactivity find their way through the bloodstream specifically to the tumour cells for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

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cellQART® Cell Culture Inserts

High-quality cell culture inserts of the new brand cellQART® can now also be purchased directly from the German manufacturer SABEU.

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EIB building in Luxembourg. © wikimedia/Palauenc05

Atriva Therapeutics gets €24m from EIB

Atriva Therapeutics has secured a €24m loan to push the development of its COVID-19 programme ATR-002, an antiviral, anti-inflammatory MEK inhibitor.

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© Topas Therapeutics GmbH

Topas raises €22m in Series B financining

Topas Therapeutics GmbH will use the €22m proceeds from a Series B Financing to advance two pipeline candidates.

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Picture: BioVersys AG

AMR – the silent pandemic that can still be contained

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on global health and an unprecedented impact on the economy. As the world struggles with the challenges brought on by this pandemic, the threat of the next one is already looming in the form of AMR.

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Valneva is looking for a new CFO

David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer of French Valneva, will retire at the end of 2020.

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© Siemens Healthineers

Siemens launches COVID-19 antigen lateral flow test

Siemens Healthineers has launched its Clinitest Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test in Europe, which can identify persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 in 15 minutes.

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