Dr Bibiana Campos-Seijo
|
As summer approaches, the European pharmaceutical industry is preparing for a well-deserved break. However, some will leave
the arena on a higher note than others. While big pharma is embracing the globalization of the industry and suffering under
extreme pressure to improve performance, the biopharmaceutical sector retires with a smile and reasons to celebrate.
On a national level, the UK's contribution to biotechnology and, in particular, stem cell research has been outstanding. Interestingly,
this has nothing to do with new technologies or discoveries, but with groundbreaking changes in regulation. In what became
an overwhelming victory (336 versus 176 votes) on 19 May, the House of Commons voted in favour of the use of interspecies
hybrid embryos for stem cell research.
Although this is a controversial move, the government hopes it will provide researchers and scientists with the legal framework
they require to achieve a better understanding of disease processes, and pursue new cures and treatments. When asked, the
UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: "the question is not whether they [hybrid embryos] should exist, but how their use
should be controlled."
On a European level there has been a landmark development: the European Parliament launch of the European Biobanking and Biomolecular
Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI). This initiative aims to create a European bank or collection of samples of biological
human material including blood, tissue, DNA, proteins and other genetic material. This project will also protect the data
from inappropriate use by harmonizing national legislations and guarantee the quality of the samples by establishing common
standards for collection and storage. At Pharmaceutical Technology Europe, we are looking forward to the summer too! By the time this issue goes out we'll be working
hard on the publication of our Buyers' Guide, an essential directory that places your products and services in front of the
industry's key buyers, and on the development of a new management section that will see the light in our September issue.
Have a fantastic summer!
Dr Bibiana Campos-Seijo
bcampos.seijo@advanstar.com
Quality Contract Manufacuturing for semi-solids and liquids
Achieve optimum FTIR performance, sensitivity, reliability and value with Shimadzu spectrometers.
Introducing the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System, the new UPLC system for HPLC users
Celebrating 35 years of processing solutions! Join us, May 4-6, in Rosemont, IL.
Introducing the ACQUITY UPLC H-Class System, the new UPLC system for HPLC users
See the latest news from Optima Group pharma.
Buy new and used pharmaceutical equipment, used process equipment and laboratory equipment at LabX. Auctions, classifieds, and post FREE wanted ads to locate equipment.
Try a complimentary sample of the new ultra-pure gasket from Gore PharmBIO Products
Major Biotech & Pharmaceutical Equipment Auction from Pfizer, Merck & More
Special offers on new and improved products from Restek.