PerkinElmer, Thermo Scientific, Bioz, And More: News From July 2017
July 31, 2017 | July featured exciting new, products, and partnerships from around the bio-IT community from innovating companies, organizations, and universities, including PerkinElmer, Thermo Scientific, Bioz, and more.
Bioz announced a series of new analytics reports covering the life science tools market. The reports are compiled using proprietary product and competitive data for complete objectivity. An industry-first, the Bioz Data Analytics Life Science Tools reports empower manufacturers and vendors of research tools and financial institutions with previously unavailable competitive landscape data and deep objective insights into life science tool usage trends. “Data has the power to uncover patterns and insights that can change the course of markets,” said Daniel Levitt, co-founder and CEO of Bioz, in a press release. “Our new Data Analytics Life Science Tools reports are an in-depth and objective look at life science data – from product usage and ‘most popular searches performed on Bioz’ to trends in antibody selection, market penetration and much more. Our market series and customized reporting options open new possibilities for tapping into Bioz data to provide life science tools manufacturers, hedge funds, private equity firms and investment banks with a distinct information advantage when informing their decisions in the life science tool market.” Leveraging sophisticated data analytics, each market report is generated using patent-pending deep-learning AI software that analyzes and structures millions of published life science articles to uncover valuable patterns and trends. This market data focuses on life science products, assays, kits, tools, equipment and instruments used by researchers in academia and biopharma to perform experiments. The Bioz dataset includes over five billion structured data points associated with more than 200 million products from 50,000 vendors. Press release
To meet growing demand for innovative drug delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry, drug formulation scientists can now use the first commercially available, fully-integrated solution for polymer-based drug implant development and production using hot melt extrusion (HME). This new drug development workflow provides pharmaceutical manufacturers with a complete end-to-end manufacturing line from a single supplier. The Thermo Scientific Pharma mini implant line is built around the Thermo Scientific Pharma mini HME twin-screw micro compounder. It provides drug developers, process manufacturing scientists and engineers with a continuous and fast production process designed to improve product quality, maximize operator safety and reduce the risk of contamination. This integrated production line is also designed to allow contract research and manufacturing organizations (CRO/CMO) to develop and optimize small-scale formulations before engaging in larger-scale production. Press release
PerkinElmer announces the launch of its new VICTOR Nivo multimode plate reader. Designed to fit almost any lab space, this compact, lightweight instrument provides high performance detection modes and easy-to-use software, which allows scientists to be able to accelerate biochemical and cell-based assays for disease research and drug development. “In today’s academic and pharmaceutical labs, scientists need intuitive, high performance technologies, including multimode microplate readers, that can be applied to a broad range of applications to help advance their research,” said Jim Corbett, Executive Vice President and President, Discovery & Analytical Solutions, PerkinElmer, in a press release. “We offer a complete set of innovative solutions that are designed to help facilitate scientific breakthroughs.” “Multimode detection is an integral process in helping to advance our research,” Maria Kuzikov, Assay Development and Screening Specialist, Fraunhofer IME Screening Port in Germany, a PerkinElmer customer, said in a written statement. “We have found that the VICTOR Nivo multimode plate reader provides high performance for a broad range of biochemical and cell based applications including measuring cell proliferation and cytotoxicity, DNA and protein quantification, as well as characterization of compound effects on PDE activity. The reader is very easy to use so that even beginners can become productive quickly.” Press release
Aushon BioSystems and RDL Reference Laboratory announced that RDL has adopted Aushon’s Cira multiplex platform as part of a strategic collaboration between the two companies. Under this relationship, RDL will utilize the highly sensitive Cira platform to simultaneously measure panels of protein biomarkers for early detection and measurement of changes in disease activity for several autoimmune conditions. In addition, RDL will offer Aushon’s full test menu as part of its newly expanded CRO services while developing its own novel diagnostic assays using the Aushon platform. Press release
Kailos Genetics announced a strategic partnership with and investment from In-Q-Tel (IQT). IQT is the non-profit strategic investor that identifies and accelerates the development of innovative technologies to support the mission of the U.S. Intelligence Community. This strategic partnership and investment allows Kailos to continue the development of NGS laboratory and software solutions that may benefit the intelligence community. “Kailos Genetics’ combination of genomic technologies represents an approach that is unique in the marketplace,” Tom Gillespie, Investment Partner at IQT, said in a press release. “We believe that further development of this technology will provide valuable capabilities for both the public and private sector.” Press release
Science Exchange announced a strategic partnership with IndieBio. IndieBio-backed companies will now have exclusive access to a customized Science Exchange-powered marketplace, where they can instantly order R&D services from a network of more than 2,500 qualified scientific service providers. “We are always looking for the right mix of resources to support the success of our biotech companies. The Science Exchange platform will give them access to a premier set of research services, along with contracting support to protect companies’ intellectual property and confidentiality,” said Jun Axup, science director of IndieBio, in a press release. “We want our biotech companies to succeed, and at the same time see the industry as a whole move faster and discover cures to more diseases. With Science Exchange, the companies in our program now have access to wide range of services, such as comparative data, chemical synthesis and next-gen sequencing, which will help them move their projects ahead more quickly and cost-effectively.” IndieBio is best known for its investments in innovative startups with a focus on biology as a technology. Companies from all over the world apply to be part of IndieBio’s four-month acceleration program, which includes funding, dedicated mentorship and 24/7 access to a co-working space and bio-safety labs. IndieBio companies solve problems across a wide range of industries, such as the future of food, biopharma and healthcare, agtech, regenerative medicine, neurotech and biomaterials. This partnership addresses the unique needs of IndieBio’s R&D-focused startups, leveling the playing field with Science Exchange’s established global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients by giving IndieBio’s startups ready access to the expertise and infrastructure found within the Science Exchange network of service providers. Press release
Bioinformatics software company Biomatters announced it has opened new offices in Denmark and made key management appointments in North America, Europe, and Asia to service growing demand from enterprises involved in biologic drug development. The announcement follows the recent launch of Biomatters’ Geneious Biologics solution, a highly scalable and configurable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) designed to give enterprises undertaking biologic drug development the tools to leverage “big data” during precision antibody discovery, improving accuracy, and minimizing failures. In addition to the recent appointment of Sales Director Wayne Hsu (Asia-Pacific) and Key Account Managers Sarah Koeppen (US) and Simon Asbjørn-Larsen (Western Europe), Biomatters will, in the coming months, fill additional sales management and field application scientist roles in North America, Europe, and Asia. “Worldwide sales of antibody biologic drugs are projected to reach more than $140 billion by 2020 and we see this momentum reflected in demand for Geneious Biologics and growth of our established Geneious application,” Biomatters CEO Andrew Steel said in a press release. Press release
Circulation announced it has raised $10.5 million in Series A financing from a syndicate of leaders across the healthcare ecosystem, excited to create a new paradigm for delivery of people, products, and services in healthcare. Flare Capital Partners and The Providence Service Corporation (“Providence”), co-lead the investment and are joined by Boston Children’s Hospital, Echo Health Ventures (a strategic collaboration of Cambia Health Solutions and Mosaic Health Solutions), Intermountain Healthcare Innovation Fund (a strategic investment vehicle of Intermountain Healthcare, managed by Healthbox), Humana, NextGen Venture Partners, and the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company. The capital will be used to further accelerate Circulation’s expansion and growth across the country. The company, which launched under a year ago, recently confirmed significant growth and momentum and has almost 50 clients across 1,000 top-tier hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and other healthcare facilities nationwide. It has also reported major industry advancements in cost savings, patient satisfaction ratings, and appointment adherence improvements. Press release
Cloudian announced it is working with ScaleMatrix and OnRamp BioInformatics to improve efficiencies of data analysis and storage for life sciences companies focused on human genomics. ScaleMatrix, a hybrid-cloud services provider, operates a 14,000-square-foot life-sciences incubator that couples a CLIA-certified genomics laboratory with a state-of-the-art datacenter powering Cloudian object storage and OnRamp BioInformatics genomic analysis software. The incubator helps reduce the barriers to entry for early-stage companies in the fields of genomics, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics. Using an on-site Illumina sequencer at the incubator, researchers and biologists can generate genomic data, then use genomic software from OnRamp BioInformatics to rapidly process and interpret data in ScaleMatrix’s GPU-enabled high-density compute farm and efficiently store valuable insights and data to Cloudian object storage. The Cloudian deployment enables researchers to store, tag, track, and retrieve large amounts of data intelligently and cost-effectively, while the OnRamp BioInformatics software streamlines and simplifies genomic data analysis so that biologists, clinicians and drug developers can unlock valuable insights. Press release
Agilent Technologies ("Agilent") announced that it has acquired the molecular and sample barcoding patent portfolios of Population Genetics Technologies ("Population Genetics"). Founded in 2005, Population Genetics was formed to commercialize the intellectual property portfolio of Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner focused on high sensitivity and high specificity Next Generation Sequencing ("NGS") detection. In 2015, Population Genetics became an IP holding entity with over 30 patents. Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed. "Our customers are increasingly requiring fully integrated next-generation sequencing workflows with the highest performance," said Herman Verrelst, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Genomics Division, in a press release. "With the addition of this IP portfolio, we can now deliver complete target enrichment solutions to our customers that they can trust, from QC to target enrichment, to analysis and interpretation that meets this demand." The acquired Population Genetics IP includes patents related to both molecular and sample barcoding that improve accuracy and sensitivity of NGS detection. The combination of these patents provides for customizable target enrichment solutions that enable customers to detect ultra-low mutation frequencies in very small DNA quantities. These features are ideal for detection of rare-variants in cancer and reproductive genetics, including liquid biopsies. Press release
Pall Corporation announced the introduction of the mPath bioreactor control system to the biopharmaceutical market. The mPath benchtop bioreactor control system is a first-of-its-kind solution to deliver accurate measurement and control of single-use process development-scale bioprocesses. It will support the Allegro XRS 25 bioreactor, with further expansions planned for the mPath portfolio in 2017 and beyond. “Throughout the development of the mPath bioreactor control system, our team was focused on simplifying single-use lab-scale bioprocesses with a functional, integrated user experience,” explained Loe Cameron, Director of Analytics and Controls at Pall, in a written statement. “The architecture makes plug-and-play connectivity a reality, while providing access to features of Pall bioreactors that other commercial control options do not allow. Additionally, the mPath bioreactor control system has been designed to support characterization and optimization and is compliant with cGMP regulations.” An expandable control and data management system includes both bioreactor control towers and an advanced supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software package. The mPath control tower is cleanroom-ready after being IP54 designed and tested, and comes with features such as six (6) mass flow controllers (MFCs) as standard. There are three (3) variable speed pumps for feeds, titrants, and media fills, and three (3) biocontainer hangers with integrated load cells to organize and weigh titrants, feeds, and media with a minimal footprint. All of this comes at no additional cost to buyers, and there are no limits on the number of systems or users that can run the control software. Press release
Companies are interested in improving chemicals to reduce environmental impacts, also known as green chemistry. A new publication in ACS Sustainable discusses 12 principles of green chemistry that outline a framework for identifying a greener chemical or process, spanning aspects in health hazard, ecological risk, and resource efficiency across a product lifecycle. However, that framework does not detail how to measure performance. Furthermore, collecting the data required, beyond simple health hazard ratings, is resource intensive. This paper describes MilliporeSigma's approach, known as DOZN, for establishing green chemistry metrics (GCM), to evaluate chemicals and chemical processes against the 12 principles, using readily available data, such as the data compiled in compliance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Using the GCM, chemicals or processes can be ranked by a hierarchy of metrics: (1) scores for each of the 12 principles, (2) three category rankings between new and improved chemicals/processes (improved resource use, increased energy efficiency, and reduced human and environmental hazards), and (3) a summary comparison ranking. The GCM approach is unique in that it is robust and flexible enough to encompass a diverse product portfolio, inexpensive to implement with on-hand data, based on generally accepted industry practices, and allows meaningful communications about chemical sustainability options. DOZN Scoring Sample