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Avian flu vaccine for emergency use in California condors
As reported in the journal Nature Federal officials have granted emergency approval to a bird flu vaccine for use in the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). The move comes after more than a dozen of the birds, which are critically endangered, recently died...
B is for Biosimilars
A biosimilar, per FDA, is a biologic medication that is highly similar to and has no clinically meaningful differences from an existing FDA-approved biologic, called a reference product. Compared with a reference product, biosimilars: are made with the same types of...
Happy National DNA Day
According to Wikipedia, National DNA Day is observed by biologists, science teachers and students, anyone interested in genetics. The day celebrates the discovery and understanding of DNA and the scientific advances that understanding has made possible. National DNA...
A is for Antibodies
Let’s start our series Biologics A – Z very appropriately with A for antibodies. Antibodies, or more specifically immunoglobulins based on the sturdy mouse and human immunoglobulins of the IgG subclass, are a major biologics workhorse. They have found wide application...
Multi-Cancer Early Detection in Blood
Testing blood for the early detection of cancer promises a non-invasive method to find early, treatable cancers in asymptomatic patients at risk of developing cancer. Tests are based on next-generation sequencing of cell-free DNA from blood and have shown success in...
Pfizer to buy Seagen for $43 billion
Pfizer has announced that it intends to buy Seagen, formerly known as Seattle Genetics, for the huge sum of $43 billion. Seagen is pioneer and driving force behind the development of antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer. In the best of all worlds this...
Discovery of cross-protective antibodies against common endemic respiratory viruses
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus types one (HPIV1) and three (HPIV3) can cause severe disease and death in immunocompromised patients, the elderly, and those with underlying lung disease. A protective...
International Childhood Cancer Day
February 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day. International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families....
See you at BPI West
Somatek is attending 2023 BioProcess International US West. The conference takes place from February 27 - March 2 at the San Diego Convention Center under the headline ACCELERATE SPEED TO MARKET FOR YOUR NEXT GENERATION MABS, VACCINES AND CELL/GENE THERAPY PRODUCTS....
CYTOSYS Bioreactor Controller
This post and a huge thank you to David Sergeant and Justin Foox of Ipratech has been overdue for some time. Early last year, Somatek acquired a CYTOSYS control platform for its process development work. Having experience with bioreactor controllers from several other...