Sessions & Tracks Track 1: Advancements in Biotechnology Biotechnology is an ever emerging field in which biological processes, organisms, cells and cellular components are exploited to develop novel expertise. Over the past two decades there have been revolutionary biotech innovations which helped the mankind. New tools and products developed by biotechnologists are expedient in research, agriculture, industry and the clinic. Recent advancements in the field of biotechnology will underpin our economy and provide solutions to intractable problems of human and animal diseases, climate change, fuel alternatives, food security as well as improving our quality of life. Related:Biotechnology Conferences|Biotechnology Meetings|Biotechnology Conventions| biotechnology| biotech marketing| what does a biotechnologist do|biotechnology major | current events biotechnology 15th World Congress on Biotechnology and Biotech Industries Meet, March 20-22, 2017 at Rome, Italy; Biotechnology 2017, August 21-23, 2017 at Chicago, USA; 17thEuro Biotechnology Congress, September 25-27, 2017 at Berlin, Germany; Global Biotechnology Congress, Oct 9-11, 2017 at Auckland, New Zealand; 15thInternational Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology Conference, June 21-23, 2017 at London, UK; 2ndInternational Conference on Bioscience and Biotechnology, March 9-10, 2017 at Colombo, Sri Lanka; BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, July 23-26, 2017 at Montreal, Canada; BioTech 2017, June 13-17 at Prague, Czech Republic; … Continue reading →

Last December, Noxxon Pharma AG signed an agreement with Merck & Co./MSD to evaluate the synergistic potential of NOXA1/2 and pembrolizumab immune cancer therapy. Now, the companies have kicked off a Phase I/II study in patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The study conducted at the National Center for Tumor Diseases in Heidelberg (Germany) will investigate the impact of NOX-A12 (olaptesed pegol) as a monotherapy on immune cell infiltration into tumors. In addition, Noxxon and Merck & Co will assess safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Merck & Co./MSDs programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint-blocking antibody drug. The open-label trial (NCT03168139) is composed of two parts: patients will receive NOX-A12 monotherapy for two weeks, followed by combination therapy of NOX-A12 plus pembrolizumab for up to two years. 20 patients will be enroled: 10 patients for each metastatic pancreas and colorectal cancer. The design of the clinical trial was a collaborative effort between NOXXON and MSD. Part 1 of the study, in which patients will receive NOX-A12 monotherapy for up to two weeks, will evaluate immune infiltrate changes within the tumor microenvironment induced by CXCL12 inhibition with NOX-A12 by comparing pre- and post-treatment biopsy specimens as well … Continue reading →

Puma Biotechnology, (NYSE:PBYI) is a $3.2 billion market cap company initially focused on developing tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib (PB272) for HER2 positive breast cancer. The company has conducted 11 clinical trials for its lead candidate, with over 2,000 patients contributing to a favorable risk-benefit profile, per inflection point clinical trial readouts over the past quarter. Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) at FDA recently voted for approval of neratinib in HER2 positive extended adjuvant treatment of early stage breast cancer in May 2017. ODAC vote is not binding but carries strong weight in the decision-making process. Given FDA director Gottlieb's new aggressive policies regarding the slow and outdated drug approval process at FDA, this was seen by the market as a "sure thing". The company is advancing neratinib in discussions with EMA for European markets, with validation in August 2016. Other investigations include neratinib in combinatory therapy for metastatic breast cancer and in solid tumors as well. Neratinib blocks signal cascades of epidermal growth factor receptors or EGFRs, specifically: HER1, HER2, HER3, and HER4. A number of studies are showing nice anti-tumor efficacy. Taken together with ODAC favor, Phase 3 result emphasis for neratinib which met primary endpoints appears to have … Continue reading →

News stories about iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (NASDAQ:IBB) have been gaining in popularity quite recently, Accern reports. The analysis company ranks negative and positive press coverage by studying larger than 20 Million SEC financial documents and social media sites sources in real-time. Accern grades analysis of companies ranging from -1 to 1, with ranks nearest to 1 is considered more positive. iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund achieved a news impact rank of 0.10 on Accerns range. Accern also gave media analysis about the financial services provider a media impact point of 0 out of 100, indicating that recent press coverage is very unlikely to have an effect on the firms share value next many days. Stocks of iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (NASDAQ:IBB) started trading at 310.95 on early Tue. the company has 50 Day SMA price of $297.52 and a two hundred SMA of $288.98. iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund has a 1 year low of $246.71 and a 1 year high of $323.45. Few press stories that May have effected Accern trend Analysiss analysis: Also, the company disclosed a divided for the quarter, to be paid on early Fri, Jun 30th. Traders who own the stock with … Continue reading →

A team of researchers at the University of Melbourne has used a quantum probe to perform microwave-free NMR at the nanoscale. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have demonstrated a way to detect nuclear spins in molecules non-invasively, providing a new tool for biotechnology and materials science. Important research in medicine and biology relies on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, but until now, it has been limited in spatial resolution and typically requires powerful microwave fields. A team of researchers at the University of Melbourne has used a quantum probe to perform microwave-free NMR at the nanoscale. This quantum probe delivers a dramatic improvement in NMR technology. In addition to being able to detect NMR in far smaller samples than conventional machines, the technique does not require the application of microwave fields that might disrupt biological samples. The discovery may overcome significant limitations with conventional NMR methods, which depend on machines that can exceed 10 tonnes. With these advances in quantum sensing technology, doors can open to a new world of scientific investigation that could lead us to gain a better understanding of the smallest building blocks of life. Read more from the original source: Researchers in Melbourne provide new … Continue reading →

Shares in Prana Biotechnology (NADSAQ:PRAN) surged 19% and was earlier higher in New York as it said an article about early data on PBT434 had been accepted in a peer review journal. The article deals with the fact the compound PBT434 prevents iron-mediated neurodegeneration and alpha-synuclein toxicity in multiple models of Parkinsons disease. Dr David Stamler, Pranas chief medical officer, said: These findings are important because Parkinsons disease and the related synucleinopathies cause significant disability and diminish the independence of afflicted individuals. "An agent which slows disease progression could have a great impact on reducing disease burden and improving quality of life. We are eager to begin clinical testing of PBT434. The publication is the culmination of ten years of research from scientists at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, (Melbourne, Australia), investigating compounds from Prana Biotechnologys propriety chemical library. Not only was PBT434 shown to block alpha-synuclein accumulation, but it also prevented loss of nerve cells in the region of the brain primarily affected in Parkinsons disease. To investigate the therapeutic potential of PBT434 to slow neurodegeneration, the researchers performed extensive animal testing in multiple Parkinsons disease models, including tests in mice that over-expressed the alpha-synuclein protein. … Continue reading →