Rethink PCR

Bio-Rad’s got an interesting website up: RethinkPCR.
The company’s name isn’t posted on the front page, but is readily available in the contest terms and conditions and privacy policy. It’s an interesting strategy to acquire consumer intelligence. Of course, consumers don’t always ask for what they want — they tend to ask for incremental improvements rather [...]

Drug Patent Expirations in November 2007

Courtesy of DrugPatentWatch.com:
Drug Patent Expirations in November 2007*Drugs may be covered by more than one patent

Tradename
Applicant
Generic Name
Patent Number
Patent Expiration

ANDRODERM
Watson Labs
testosterone
4,849,224
NOV 12,2007

ANDRODERM
Watson Labs
testosterone
4,983,395
NOV 12,2007

AVITA
Mylan Bertek
tretinoin
4,971,800
NOV 20,2007

COMTAN
Orion
entacapone
4,963,590
NOV 27,2007

ELOCON
Schering
mometasone furoate
4,775,529
NOV 21,2007

FLECTOR
Inst Biochem
diclofenac epolamine
4,948,805
NOV 09,2007

MERIDIA
Abbott
sibutramine hydrochloride
4,929,629
NOV 29,2007

MYLOTARG
Wyeth Pharms Inc
gemtuzumab ozogamicin
4,970,198
NOV 30,2007

PROVIGIL
Cephalon
modafinil
4,927,855
NOV 22,2007

STALEVO 100
Orion
carbidopa; entacapone; levodopa
4,963,590
NOV 27,2007

STALEVO 150
Orion
carbidopa; entacapone; levodopa
4,963,590
NOV 27,2007

STALEVO 50
Orion
carbidopa; entacapone; levodopa
4,963,590
NOV 27,2007

TOPROL-XL
Astrazeneca
metoprolol succinate
4,927,640
NOV 22,2007

TYLENOL (CAPLET)
Mcneil Cons
acetaminophen
4,968,509
NOV 06,2007

URSO [...]

Happy 25th, Humulin

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the FDA’s approval of the first drug produced by biotechnology, Genentech’s Humulin. I often use Humulin as a case study for biotechnology, because Genentech’s bacterial-fermentation approach to making insulin was revolutionary compared to the previous methods of harvesting insulin from pig pancreas.
Thanks for OpenMarket for reminding me of this [...]

Exubera: The road to hell is paved with good intentions

I’ve been waiting to write up the Exubera story for the next edition of Building Biotechnology, and the story just keeps getting better.
Exubera is was Pfizer’s innovative answer to the diabetes drug market. The market is so saturated with competitive products, that the only way to capture significant market share is to innovate. Either produce [...]

Biotech for Turkey

I’ll be speaking at the Biotech for Turkey conference in Istanbul on November 7th. This conference, convened by Bosfor Biotech Partners, will cover global biotechnology strategies and developments in Turkey. For more details, contact Bosfor Biotech at the URL above or browse the conference schedule: Biotech for Turkey

Journal of Commercial Biotechnology

A new issue of the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology has just been posted. Drop me a line if you would like to make a submission.
Volume 13, Issue 4

Is ‘evergreening’ a cause for concern? A legal perspective
Scott Parker and Kevin Mooney
Exploiting the business opportunities in biotech connections: The power of social networks
Ian P McCarthy, Leyland Pitt, [...]