Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Stem Cell Sciences plc at Babraham has launched a new culture medium for embryonic stem cell research.

French pharmaceutical, Ipsen S.A. has come in for Vernalis’ US operations, sealing the lid on the Cambridge biopharmaceutical’s North American venture.

PPD, Inc., a global contract research organisation with more than 10,400 professionals worldwide, has signed a 10-year agreement to prelet an additional 40,000 sq ft at Granta Park in Cambridge.

A New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical targeting vaccines to counter bioterrorism agents and developing products to treat life-threatening side effects of cancer treatments has opened a new ‘virtual’ office at the Hertfordshire BioPark in Welwyn Garden City.

Crack teams of scientists from Cambridge and kindred world-class oncology centres are being deployed alongside Big Pharma partners to tackle a hit-list of cancers.

Troubled life sciences technology development company, MMI has announced that following a strategic review by new non-exec chairman Phil Cartmell, it will reinvent itself as a cancer specialist.

Alizyme and US partner, Prometheus Laboratories Inc, have initiated the latest clinical development of COLALPRED with a Phase II study for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in approximately 200 patients.

The leading provider to the drug discovery industry of human tissue and human tissue-based services, Cambridge-based Asterand, said it continues to progress towards its goals of sustained profitability and sales growth.

Essex-based BioFocus DPI has announced a second major research contract this month, taking the total value of deals past $3 million.