prandd's blog
Balzan Prize winners and scholars from all over the world to debate: "TRUTH, IN THE HUMANITIES, SCIENCES AND RELIGION".
Lugano, May 15 2008 - Is truth absolute, or do we decide what is true based on culture, knowledge and our belief system? These engaging questions are the subject of the 2008 Symposium of the International Balzan Foundation, entitled: "Truth in the Humanities, Science and Religion". This prestigious event will be taking place on May 16-17, 2008 in the Auditorium of the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland).
A biosimilar protein that can be used to treat neutropenia (a side effect of cancer chemotherapy) is to be developed by Apotex Inc. of Canada in collaboration with Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL). Neukine (R), a recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is already manufactured and marketed in India by IBPL. Kwizda Pharma of Austria had been working with IBPL to develop G-CSF for the European market for some time. Effectively immediately, Kwizda Pharma has transferred all of its rights in IBPL's G-CSF to Apotex. Apotex and IBPL have concurrently agreed to extend the collaboration to development of G-CSF for North America (US and Canada).
Vienna, Austria, 28 April 2008: According to an analysis carried out by Lifescience-online, due to it's AFFITOME technology AFFiRiS GmbH could become a major player in the global pharmaceutical industry. After looking at data from a total of 67 European biotech companies, the study picked out the five firms with the most innovative approaches to therapy and most intensive R&D activities for closer analysis. AFFiRiS GmbH came top of this shortlist.
A current research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF is working to optimise the cryopreservation of amphibian sperm. The project aims to protect endangered amphibian species, which can be successfully reproduced using frozen sperm. The African Clawed Frog and the Mexican Axolotl are being used as amphibian models.
Vienna, 17. April 2008. The Viennese biotech company Affiris is today taking stock of the progress achieved to date in its clinical Alzheimer's vaccination programme. All the Alzheimer's patients treated so far as part of the toxicological trials have tolerated the treatment extremely well. As a result, Affiris is among the leading international centres in the race to develop the first causal immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Research into the correlations between allergies and the development of tumours - and possible benefits for future cancer treatments - has finally become an established research discipline in its own right. That was the conclusion at the 2nd International AllergoOncology Symposium, which took place in Vienna at the weekend. The symposium's organiser, Prof. Jensen-Jarolim, was extremely happy with the event, which was attended by over 90 doctors and scientists from over 10 different countries. This fascinating field of research, which she has succeeded in establishing with support from the Austrian Science Fund FWF, has also been honoured with its first review article in the international journal "Allergy".
Vienna, 9. April 2008. Is truth absolute, or do we decide what is true based on culture, knowledge and belief? These engaging questions are the subject of the 2008 Symposium of the International Balzan Foundation, which is being held under the title: "Truth in the Humanities, Science and Religion". This prestigious event will be taking place from 16 to 17 May 2008 at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland).
On 15 April 2008, the Rector of the University of Vienna, Georg Winckler, will present an honorary doctorate to the renowned historian Eric J. Hobsbawm. Since the 1960s, Hobsbawm has been producing works of outstanding value for historical and cultural research. His first-hand experience of major historical events, the international nature of both his life and work, and his skills as a researcher and author make him one of the leading authorities on the history of the 19th and 20th centuries.
A biosimilar product for treating the negative effects that cancer chemotherapy can have on the white blood cells of patients is safe and exhibits an identical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile compared to a reference product. This is the result of a clinical phase I trial conducted jointly by the Austrian company Kwizda Pharma GmbH and the Indian manufacturer INTAS Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (IBPL). Upon completion of an upcoming clinical phase III trial, both companies will lodge an application to get the product approved for the European market. The market launch is planned for early 2010.
Vienna, 26. March 2008. Vogelbusch GmbH has applied for a patent for a fermentation process that boosts the efficiency of bioethanol production from raw materials containing hemicellulose. A key feature of the process is an improved strain of microorganism, which delivers high yields in the production of bioethanol from materials that contain hemicellulose, such as wood waste. In the future, this strain will enable bioethanol to be commercially produced from alternative raw materials, thereby improving the CO2 balance of alternative fuels.
Vienna, 19 March 2008. The number of genes activated during eye development increases by up to 400 percent. That was one of the surprising results of a research project on the fruit fly carried out at the University of Basel (Switzerland). The project was financed to a large extent by the 2002 Balzan Prize for Developmental Biology, which was awarded to Prof. Walter Gehring. A total of over 150,000 measurements of gene activity during eye development were analysed and have been made available in a publicly accessible database.
Munich, Germany and Vienna, Austria – March 18th 2008 – Affiris GmbH announced today that it will integrate the Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence (TM) Suite in the company's Alzheimer's disease vaccination program. The decision was based on the company's outstanding experience with Definiens software. Affiris' business strategy focuses on rapid identification of drug candidates and accelerated preclinical and clinical development. Matching Affiris requirements comprehensively, Definiens provides automated image analysis solutions with reliable, fast and consistent results.
A fungus protein that attacks pathogenic fungi is the focal point of a project recently launched by the Austrian Science Fund FWF. As well as examining the structure of the protein, the project will also closely analyse the physiological changes that it causes in the cells of pathogenic fungi. Combined with findings from an earlier project, the new data could form the basis for the development of an effective treatment of certain fungal infections.
Scientists from the University of Vienna unearth the earliest evidence of Jewish inhabitants in Austria
Archaeologists from the Institute of Prehistory and Early History of the University of Vienna have found an amulet inscribed with a Jewish prayer in a Roman child's grave dating back to the 3rd century CE at a burial ground in the Austrian town of Halbturn. The 2.2-centimeter-long gold scroll represents the earliest sign of Jewish inhabitants in present-day Austria.
Vienna, 27. February 2008. Affiris GmbH has secured another Europe-wide patent for an innovative method of treating Alzheimer's disease. This new blood-cleansing method is similar to dialysis and is designed to reduce the amount of harmful protein deposits in the brain. It is based on the AFFITOME technology established by Affiris, which was patented in October 2007 for an Alzheimer's vaccine. The use of this technology to cleanse the blood underlines the leading international role that Affiris plays in the development of innovative Alzheimer's treatments, a role that has been underpinned financially by investment from the German company MIG-Fonds.
