biotechnology news

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Novel platform technologies and key advances in genomics are rapidly driving the development of molecular diagnostics, reports Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

The payoff for successful molecular diagnostic products can be significant as Kalorama Information predicts that this market currently exceeds $3.2 billion worldwide and will reach $5.4 billion in four years.

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Biotech and pharmaceutical firms are developing a host of new technologies designed to streamline the complicated drug discovery process, reports Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Most successful approaches rely on a combination of high-throughput screening methods, miniaturization techniques and advanced data-analysis tools, according to an article in the July issue of GEN.

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Biotech and pharma companies are increasingly utilizing novel technologies to assess the druggability of test compounds early in the development cycle to avoid costly late clinical-stage attrition, according to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

By identifying absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity issues early, pharma also has the opportunity to increase the probability of success of its new drug development activities and reduce the time to market, reports the May 1 issue of GEN.

Biotech and pharma companies are increasingly relying on cell-based assays in early drug discovery work, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.

The technique can provide a quick and lower cost means of testing drug candidates for toxic effects, according to an article in the April 15 issue of GEN.

Biotechnology companies are increasingly turning to developing nations as sites for clinical trials, reports Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Increasing competition for clinical trial patients in the industrialized world is one of the major reasons for the offshore move, according to an article in the March 15 issue of GEN.