Genomics pioneer Illumina, which has major operations in Cambridge, is suspending full year guidance due to disappointing Q3 results and uncertain market conditions.

ProteinLogic in Cambridge is planning a fresh funding round to accelerate commercialisation of its proprietary ImmiPrint™ protein biomarker for diagnosis of a raft of human diseases using blood and other body fluids.

A UK-bred variety of broccoli believed to help ward off cancer and heart disease went on sale at Marks & Spencer stores today. Other superstores are expected to stock the product from 2012.

Cambridge UK scientists have played a key role in identifying a potential treatment for the aggressive and often incurable mixed lineage (MLL-fusion) leukaemia.

Vernalis plc and Servier have achieved a research milestone in their oncology drug discovery collaboration initiated in May 2007.

Vernalis, which has operations in Cambridge UK, will receive a payment of €0.5m from Servier in recognition of reaching this stage in the programme.

The collaboration currently focused on developing two promising oncology targets involved in protein-protein interactions, has now been extended to a third oncology target.

Under the terms of the deal, which utilises Vernalis' proprietary drug discovery platform, Vernalis receives fees and research milestones and a potential share in the downstream success of the product. Financial terms are not disclosed.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis said: “This milestone and the extension of our collaboration to a third target is a very strong endorsement of our fragment and structure-based drug discovery platforms.

“We have, over the last four years, developed an excellent collaborative relationship with Servier and look forward to continued success with these collaborations.”

The European Commission has granted UK plant biotech company, Phytopharm, orphan drug status for Cogane™ to treat the most prevalent form of motor neurone disease.

One Nucleus and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) are joining forces to hook more two-way trade for Britain.

Cambridge coatings specialist Tecvac Ltd is part of a £1.1 million research collaboration formed to develop new methods of extending the life of knee and hip implants.