Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development (Hardcover)

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development (Hardcover)by Toby Friedman (Author).

As the world of biotechnology has grown in leaps and bounds, so too have the career opportunities. But the choices can be daunting. What types of jobs are available? How do you get your foot in the door? What will your job entail if you become a "Preclinical Project Manager" or a "Process Scientist"? What s the difference between biotech and pharma?

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of careers in the life science industry, with all their ups and downs. The author, Toby Freedman, Ph.D., has conducted interviews with hundreds of key players in the industry, who provide first hand explanations of their day to day roles and responsibilities, and offer key insights into how they landed those jobs in the first place. Careers in everything from discovery research to venture capital are covered in detail.

Each chapter includes valuable sections on preparing yourself for a prospective career: educational requirements and personality characteristics needed; recommendations of books, magazines, and Web site resources; and issues to consider regarding salary and compensation. The book also includes interviewing and job searching tips, as well as suggestions on writing a resume specifically for industry.

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development is an essential guide for science graduates and medical, business, legal, high tech or engineering professionals. With discussions of job security, future trends, and potential career paths, even those already working in industry will find helpful information on how to take advantage of opportunities available within their own companies and elsewhere. This book will help you make wiser and more informed decisions about what role you would like to play in the biotechnology and drug development industry.

The Nanotech Future: A Conversation with Mihail Roco

Nanotechnology refers to the emerging science of manufacturing materials that are measured in nanometers, usually at the 1-100 nanometers scale. The head of a pin is 1 million nanometers wide. By 2014, Lux Research estimates that $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnology, or about 15 percent of global output.

What was Dr. Rocos vision in 2000 at the start of the NNI? What are his expectations for nanotechnologys many promises-in medicine, sustainable energy, and electronics? What challenges does nanotechnology pose for the future, particularly as it reaches toward third and fourth generation development-in guided molecular assembly, 3D networking, robotics, supra-molecules, molecules by design, and evolutionary systems?

Robert Service, nanotechnology reporter at Science magazine, will interview Dr. Roco about nanotechnology at a Friday, November 9th, 2007, 12:30 p.m. event and live webcast at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The event is sponsored by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies ( http://www.nanotechproject.org ), a joint initiative of the Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Project director David Rejeski will introduce the program.

Prior to joining the National Science Foundation, Dr. Roco was Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky ((1981-1995), and held visiting professorships at the California Institute of Technology (1988-89), Johns Hopkins University (1993-1995), Tohoku University (1989) and Delft University of Technology (1997-1998). He is credited with 13 inventions, and has authored and co-authored numerous articles, publications and books.

Dr. Roco will receive the National Materials Advancement Award from the Federation of Materials Societies at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on December 5, 2007.

He is Corresponding Member of the Swiss Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering, Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Roco initiated work on converging technologies, and on societal implications of nanotechnology since the beginning of the NNI.

FDA Clears Genetic Lab Test for Warfarin Sensitivity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing a new genetic test that will help physicians assess whether a patient may be especially sensitive to the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin), which is used to prevent potentially fatal clots in blood vessels.

One-third of patients receiving warfarin metabolize it quite differently than expected and experience a higher risk of bleeding. Research has shown that some of the unexpected response to warfarin depends on variants of two genes, CYP2C9 and VKORC1. The Nanosphere Verigene Warfarin Metabolism Nucleic Acid Test detects some variants of both genes.

"Today’s action offers physicians the first FDA cleared genetic test for warfarin sensitivity, which is another step in our commitment to personalized medicine,” said Daniel Schultz, M.D., director, FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “With this test, physicians may be able to use genetic information along with other clinical information to treat their patients.”

Warfarin can be a difficult drug to use because the optimal dose varies depending on many risk factors, including a patient's diet, age, and the use of other medications. Rapidly achieving the correct dose is important. Patients who receive doses that are higher than needed to correctly thin the blood are at risk of life-threatening bleeding. Those who receive doses that are too low may remain at risk of life-threatening blood clots.

Warfarin is the second most common drug, after insulin, implicated in emergency room visits for adverse drug events.

In August, FDA approved updated labeling for Coumadin, the brand name version of warfarin, explaining that people with variations of the genes CYP2C9 and VKORC1 may respond differently to the drug. Manufacturers of generic warfarin are adding similar information to their products' labeling.

Physicians and other health care professionals who prescribe warfarin regularly check to see if the drug is working properly by ordering a test called the PT or prothrombin time that evaluates the blood's ability to clot properly. The results are measured in seconds and compared with the expected value in healthy people, known as the International Normalized Ratio or INR.

The Nanosphere test is not intended to be a stand-alone tool to determine optimum drug dosage, but should be used along with clinical evaluation and other tools, including INR, to determine the best treatment for patients.

FDA cleared the test based on results of a study conducted by the manufacturer of hundreds of DNA samples as well as on a broad range of published literature. In a three site study, the test was accurate in all cases where the test yielded a result; 8 percent of the tests could not identify which genetic variants were present.

The new test was cleared for use on the Verigene System, a clinical laboratory test system. Both products are manufactured by Nanosphere Inc., Northbrook, Ill.

Biotech investment on the rise

Author: Liu King-pong

Taiwan's biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry received a boost in September from MediVas LLC, a drug and biological delivery system developer based in San Diego, California. The U.S. firm announced Sept. 20 that it has selected Taiwan as the site for its Asian operations.

"Taiwan has probably the most dynamic economy in Asia and its way of doing business is very similar to that in the United States," said Kenneth Carpenter, president and chief executive officer of MediVas. "But, most importantly, the Taiwan government has committed to making the biotech and pharmaceutical industry a trillion dollar business," he added, referring to the government's strong support for the development of biotechnology. The remarks came at the Sept. 20 grand opening ceremony of MediVas Asia Corp.

Carpenter's optimistic statement is the result of the close cooperation between the government and the local biotechnology industry. This trend was recently highlighted with a statement made by Ho Mei-yueh, chairwoman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development. She announced Sept. 14 that the state-owned National Development Fund would invest US$20 million in TaiMed Biologics Co., a new biotech firm focusing on AIDS drugs.

TaiMed Biologics' competitive advantage lies in that it has acquired the patent from the U.S.-based Genentech Inc. for its lead clinical product, TNX-355. The drug shows promise as an effective treatment for AIDS patients and those infected with HIV. The patent rights to a product with such potential no doubt prompted Ho to indicate that the establishment of TaiMed Biologics marked a breakthrough in Taiwan's biotech industry.

MediVas' business, unlike most biotech and pharmaceutical firms, focuses mainly on changing the way pharmaceuticals are delivered. Its technology platform uses protein-like polymeric biomaterials to make drug and biological delivery more effective.

What makes the new investment in Taiwan more significant is that MediVas Asia's facility on the island will focus on the development of so-called "super-generic" drugs, Huang Bor-fuei, director of the industry promotion and marketing department at the Development Center for Biotechnology, stated Sept. 22.

Self-described as the matchmaker between MediVas and Taiwan, Huang pointed out that the firm defines super-generics as drugs whose original patents have expired but would be re-patented by MediVas Asia. "This re-patenting is a result of improving or modifying the delivery of the drug. Such modification has several advantages, including longer duration of drug effectiveness, less undesirable side effects and changes in the method of administration," he said.

"For example, you might take the drug once a week instead of once a day, or you can stop taking a drug by injection and start to take it orally," he explained.

MediVas Asia had talked to local pharmaceutical firms about joint development of super-generics. Local pharmaceutical companies typically focus on production of low-margin generic drugs, however, and did not embrace MediVas' plans.

"Although local firms showed interest, they were slow to act, perhaps due to a risk-aversion mindset and an overly conservative culture of avoiding change," said Huang.

According to Huang, China and India are usually seen as the only new emerging biotech markets in Asia. Taiwan is not associated with advances in biotechnology and is often overlooked. Huang took a different view, however. "I believe a sustainable technology is important in making biotech and pharmaceuticals our twin-star industries for our future economy," he stated. "A powerful platform technology can enable the improvement or even the creation of a variety of new products that can help the whole industry, and that is where our true niche lies."

Using the analogy of a fishing pole and a fish, Huang explained the value of a powerful platform technology. "MediVas' drug-delivery system can deliver more than one successful product, in the same way a fishing pole can deliver a continuous supply of fish. In the long run, more than being a successful company, MediVas will have positive economic impact on Taiwan's biotech industry."

MediVas Asia would set up its own research-and-development center in Taiwan and the company would establish its manufacturing facilities for super-generic production within a year, Huang revealed.

Write to Liu King-pong at kpliu@mail.gio.gov.tw

New research into plant colours sheds light on antioxidants

Scientists have made an important advance in understanding the genetic processes that give flowers, leaves and plants their bright colours. The knowledge could lead to a range of benefits, including better understanding of the cancer-fighting properties of plant pigments and new, natural food colourings. The research is highlighted in the new issue of Business from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The scientists, at the John Innes Centre and Institute of Food Research in Norwich, have pinpointed a key group of enzymes involved in the production of plant pigments. The pigments, called anthocyanins, are what give some plants the vivid colours that they use to attract insects and foraging animals. They also give plants protection against environmental stresses and disease. Hundreds of different anthocyanins exist in nature, all with slightly different chemical compositions. The international research team, supported by BBSRC, identified the genes responsible for the enzymes which chemically modify anthocyanins to alter their properties.

Prof Cathie Martin at the John Innes Centre who co-led the project explains: “Using a new strategy, we conducted biochemical studies on the brassica plant Arabidopsis. We found that a small number of genes responsible for the enzymes that chemically modify anthocyanins were ‘switched on’ when the plants were making anthocyanins in response to stress.

“When we transferred these genes to a tobacco plant, the colour of the tobacco flowers changed slightly, confirming that these genes, and the enzymes that they produce, were indeed responsible for modifying anthocyanins.

“What’s more, these anthocyanins that had been modified by the enzymes were more stable than those that hadn’t. This is significant because stabilised anthocyanins could be used as natural food colourants to replace many artificial colours used in various foods. This improved understanding of the genetics of anthocyanins also provides a better platform for studying their antioxidant properties, important in the fight against cancer, cardiovascular disease and age-related degeneration.”

Crucell grants Merck access to vaccine technology

Leiden, The Netherlands, September 10 2007 - Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. announced today that Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station, NJ) has exercised an option for the exclusive use of Crucell's PER.C6® technology and an option for access to Crucell's AdVac® vaccine technology in two infectious disease areas.

Mr. Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's Chief Scientific Officer said: "We are excited about this technology agreement which represents a further expansion of the relationship between our company and Merck. Crucell's vaccine technologies, PER.C6® and AdVac®, are increasingly used by the vaccine industry to develop important novel vaccines for infectious diseases. This agreement further broadens the number of disease areas in which our technologies are used."

Under the terms of the agreement, Crucell acquires rights to certain cell-line technology developed by Merck for the manufacturing of recombinant proteins. The option and the related rights to certain technology developed by Merck originate from the cross-license agreement executed in December 2006 between Crucell and Merck. Specifics concerning the infectious disease indications remain undisclosed.

About Crucell
Crucell N.V. (Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) is a biotechnology company focused on research, development and worldwide marketing of vaccines and antibodies that prevent and treat infectious diseases. Its vaccines are sold in public and private markets worldwide. Crucell's core portfolio includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully-liquid vaccine against five important childhood diseases, and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as the only oral anti-typhoid vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine and the only aluminium-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The Company has a broad development pipeline, with several Crucell products based on its unique PER.C6® production technology. The Company licenses this and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include DSM Biologics, sanofi aventis, GSK and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden (the Netherlands), with subsidiaries in Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Korea and the US. The Company employs over a 1000 people. For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.