Entries by Uta Mommert

Bioprinting: Screening drugs in multiple dimensions

90% of all preclinical drug candidates fail to make the grade. Now novel methods that employ miniaturised organs could help overcome this healthcare hurdle. Researchers and CROs are testing a range of models – whether grown from stem cells or spit out by 3D bioprinters – to identify toxicities, simulate cancer development and identify responders to expensive therapies. The field of 3D microtissue-based screening is just a decade old, but it clearly is soon going to play a key role when it comes to improving productivity in drug development.

Best of 2016: Our most wanted news

Which European Biotechnology news stories topped the charts this year? The European Biotechnology team delved into archives and analysed the click statistics. And here they are: the most wanted news stories of 2016!

Blood test on the scent of prions

Contaminated blood can transmit prion disease even if the donor does not yet show any symptoms. A new blood test could make the blood supply safer. Two reports show it can correctly diagnose Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease – with 100% certainty.

Neovacs teams up with 3P

French immunotherapy expert Neovacs has teamed up with CDMO 3P Biopharmaceuticals for the manufacture of interferon alpha with recently licensed technology.

Performance in Clinical Trials: Pharmatio GmbH with new Portfolio

Pharmatio GmbH, already established in the monitoring and site liaison of clinical trials, has restructured its services. With Clinical Trial Liaison, the sponsors of clinical trials can ensure the patient recruitment and effectiveness of their clinical trials. The Clinical Trial Task Force masters difficult or unforeseen challenges in clinical trials, and High Quality Monitoring ensures that Pharmatio ensures all-­time inspection readiness of clinical trial sites.

ETH builds cyborg bacteria

Part microbe, part machine: cyborg bacteria developed at ETH Zurich could revolutionise the biotechnological production of molecules. The bacteria have been engineered to respond to light signals.

EMA unveils trial data

Trial transparency has been a hotly debated topic over the last months, but now, the EMA is turning words into action. The agency will allow public access to clinical trial reports, starting now.