Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has announced it is expanding capacity for viral vector development and manufacturing services with construction of a new commercial manufacturing site in Plainville, Mass. The $180 million project will more than double the company's commercial viral vector capacity to support increasing demand for the development and manufacture of gene therapies and vaccines....
The newly launched Version 2 Verification Panel, and Reference Material Kit, offer expanded genome coverage over the products first launched in March to now include the S gene region. As testing priorities shift from molecular to serological, LGC SeraCare also plans to expand their product offering to antibody controls in continued support of public health efforts against COVID-19. LGC SeraCare’s proprietary AccuPlex technology mimics wild-type pathogenic viruses, but is safe, non-infectious, and replication deficient...
Hamilton Company and Zymo Research Corporation have announced that the MagEx STARlet assay ready workstation is now available pre-scripted with the Quick-DNA/RNA™ Viral MagBead Kit protocol to extract pure DNA/RNA from the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The jointly developed automated solution offers significant advantages compared to manual processing of samples via traditional time-consuming methods such as spin columns....
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for EUROIMMUN’s (a PerkinElmer company) Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA (IgG) serology test. Clinical laboratories certified to perform high complexity tests under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) can immediately begin using this ELISA for the detection of antibodies of the immunoglobulin class G....
Analysis work from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has not mutated into different types. Recent research had suggested that more than one type of SARS-CoV-2 was now circulating in the pandemic, with one strain being more aggressive and causing more serious illness than the other. Now, using analysis of SARS-CoV-2 virus samples from the pandemic, scientists have been able to show that only one type of the virus is currently circulating....
The Liverpool Good Clinical Practice Laboratory (GCPLab) Facility directed by Professor Bill Greenhalf, has a crucial role in supporting the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium - Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium (ISARIC-4C) run the Clinical Characterisation Protocol UK (CCP-UK) led by Professor Calum Semple in Liverpool, Dr Kenneth Baillie in Edinburgh and Professor Peter Openshaw at Imperial College London....
To accelerate national, multi-institutional efforts focused on mapping coronavirus transmission and epidemiological studies, Thermo Fisher Scientific announces the SARS-CoV-2 GlobalAccess Sequencing Program for research consortia and industry groups battling the spread of the pandemic globally. Under the program, the company will provide 50 units of the Ion Torrent Genexus System at a subsidized price to support global collaborative COVID-19 research....
More than a century after giving the world aspirin, another potential drug has been found in the stem and leaves of willows – this time with anti-cancer properties. Scientists led from Rothamsted Research, working with cancer biologists at the University of Kent have discovered the chemical, miyabeacin, which has been found to kill various cancer cells, including those resistant to other drugs....
BIOHIT Healthcare Ltd is now distributing test kits for the diagnosis of both current and past COVID-19 infections to help in the fight against coronavirus in the UK. The new product line includes the MutaPLEX® Coronavirus kit from Immundiagnostik AG (IDK) – a real-time RT-PCR assay to screen for infected individuals – and Epitope Diagnostics Inc's (EDI's) immunodiagnostic tests for IgM and IgGCOVID-19 antibodies, to detect past infections....
Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced a second Carlsbad, California, U.S.A.-based facility for its BioReliance® viral and gene therapy service offering. The new, € 100 million commercial facility is expected to open next year. “Viral vector manufacturing has transitioned from a niche industry to the cornerstone of the future of biopharmaceuticals,” said Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science....
The University of Oxford has announced an agreement with the UK-based global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for the further development, large-scale manufacture and potential distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate currently being trialled by the University. The partnership is to begin immediately with the final terms being agreed in the coming weeks. This will allow for rapid vaccination around the world if the COVID-19 vaccine candidate proves to be effective....
Gilson has consolidated tools, technology, services and resources to help scientists ramp up testing capabilities or study the SARS-COV-2 virus. Their new PCR FOCUS Fluid News Brochure highlights their world-renown manual and automated sample prep technologies suitable for COVID-19 diagnostics and research. For such situations when protection, speed of analysis, reliability and traceability are paramount, Gilsons range of lab equipment and instruments can deliver verifiable data and confidence in results.
A wholistic tumour sampling method that more accurately detects genetic alterations in tumours, which are critical in allowing treatment to be personalised to each and every patient, has been developed by researchers from the Crick, Roche and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and published in Cell Reports. To help doctors select treatment options for cancer patients, a sample from their tumour can be DNA sequenced....
Fully inclusive and managed RBDS uses Bioquell’s 35% hydrogen peroxide vapour solution to eliminate pathogens, providing a 6-log sporicidal kill. With the number of COVID-19 cases rising globally, Bioquell, a leading manufacturer of high-performance bio-decontamination systems, is offering a proven solution to help eradicate coronavirus in a range of healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceutical environments, including isolation rooms and public spaces....
Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a collaboration with Cytiva, formerly known as GE Healthcare Life Sciences. The companies will develop and manufacture an Affimer-based point-of-care rapid test intended for screening of large populations to diagnose the COVID-19 coronavirus infection. The World Health Organisation recently....
Analytik Jena Presents New Elemental Analyzer multi EA 5100 One instrument for the entire elemental analysis - with the multi EA 5100, Analytik Jena presents a flexible all-rounder for the analysis of sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine and carbon in liquid, solid or gaseous samples. The elemental analyzer relies on a new type of universal sample feed system to analyze samples of the most varied types more quickly and precisely...
AFYS3G has a unique way to guarantee the absolute traceability of your laboratory consumables: laser-based marking systems. With the Lambda8 and Lambda576, AFYS3G offers both a manual and automated system that can laser engrave labware with permanent markings. The Lambda8 is a manual laser marker that can not only mark tubes, but also racks in ANSI/SLAS format, caps, microscope slides....
With years of experience in providing quality contract research services, Profacgen has accumulated experience in virtually all aspects of protein development and protein production. Now, scientists have access to Profacgen’s recently released Trimeric Protein Production Service, generating new insights into the assembly and maturation of trimers that will have implications for the design of effective vaccines....
ProteoGenix, a global leader in antibody production, is pleased to announce the first Human Immune COVID-19 library for the fast discovery of potent antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The library, created using blood samples from dozens of recovered COVID-19 patients, is adapted for screening with phage display and strives to meet the rising demands for effective antibodies for a broad range of applications....
Creative Diagnostics now launches SARS-CoV-2 antigens and antibodies for global researchers working on the novel coronavirus. These antigens can be used for scientific research, detection of novel coronavirus and preparation of neutralizing antibodies. All of our antigens are produced using a standardized production process to ensure the highest quality and are performance guaranteed for the applications....
Merck has unveiled the next component of its BioContinuum™ Platform, the Bio4C™ Software Suite, creating a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that combines process control, analytics and plant-level automation. This transformative software suite will allow users to look across the entire manufacturing process versus individual operational units, giving biomanufacturers complete process control and deep insights...
Bringing new levels of field sampling optimization, compliance and field data collection, Autoscribe Informatics has announced the integration of Trilogy TAPS sample planning and scheduling management software with its Matrix Gemini configurable laboratory information management system (LIMS). Integration of field data collection and laboratory activities is especially useful in water, environmental, waste and similar industries....