Category Archives: Science: Biology

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Science: Biology

Red Nucleus Acquires PPM Advisory Group and OrtleyBio

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Red Nucleus logo

Red Nucleus

“Clients will benefit from the expanded expertise and services the acquisition creates.” Red Nucleus CEO Ian Kelly


YARDLEY, Pa. (PRWEB)

Red Nucleus (“RN”), a premier provider of learning, performance, and process solutions for the life sciences industry, announced that it has acquired PPM Advisory Group and OrtleyBio (collectively “PPM”), a leading provider of scientific operations and communications services to biopharmaceutical companies and brands, with its primary focus in oncology and hematology therapeutic areas.

PPM offers commercial, medical affairs, and MSL content development; planning and training support, advisory boards, competitive landscape analysis, sales representative training support, and conferences/congress coverage. PPM also brings new client relationships and touch points for the combined business. PPM’s solutions align closely with RN’s existing Commercial and Medical Communications (INVIVO) businesses.

“We are excited to join the Red Nucleus family as we’ll be able to provide expanded services to our current clients while helping them develop and commercialize treatments for patients. Red Nucleus is known to deliver best-in-class services and has an employee and client-service focused culture, which melds well with the PPM culture,” says PPM Founder Rino Mariconda.

“We are thrilled for Rino and the PPM team to join the Red Nucleus family. The combination of PPM and RN will collectively help us expand both within current therapeutic areas and services, as well as grow into new areas and offerings. PPM has a deep bench of advanced-degreed and seasoned medical writers and staff (13 PhDs) who produce high-quality content. Together, we now have more talented team members to build upon the strong historical reputation of both RN and PPM, while delivering leading science-first services that our clients expect and deserve,” adds Red Nucleus CEO Ian Kelly.

Fairmount Partners represented PPM in the sale.

The transaction closed in April 2021.

For more information, please contact

Kelly Curtin

kcurtin@rednucleus.com

About Red Nucleus

Red Nucleus is the premier provider of strategic learning, performance, and process solutions exclusively for the life sciences industry. Our global solutions engage and inspire teams across the commercial, medical, and R&D spaces and are designed to boost understanding, efficacy, and compliance. Squarely focused on the life sciences industry for close to 30 years, Red Nucleus takes pride in our long-term relationships with industry leaders, as well as our strategic partnerships with innovative startups. Red Nucleus is headquartered in Yardley, PA. The company also has offices in Malvern, PA; Boston, MA; Toronto, Canada; London, UK; Stockholm, Sweden; Pune, India; and Tokyo, Japan.

Visit http://www.rednucleus.com to learn more.

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Science: Biology

Specific Diagnostics Announces the Appointment of Scott Wehage as Director of US Clinical Trials

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Specific Diagnostics Patented Sensor Panel

“I’m truly looking forward to working with all of the distinguished KOL sites we are contracting with for our US clinical trials,” said Mr. Wehage. “Once FDA approved, I believe the Reveal will truly change the way US hospital systems manage and treat blood stream infections.”


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (PRWEB)

Specific Diagnostics today announced the appointment of Scott Wehage as Director of US Clinical Trials. Previously Mr. Wehage was a Clinical Project Manager for Becton Dickinson’s Global Clinical Develop Department, where he oversaw clinical trials for device and IVD product development. Mr. Wehage will oversee the implementation of Specific’s expanding clinical studies strategy in the US.

“We look forward to bringing Specific’s Reveal Rapid AST Instrument to the US, with Scott’s large-scale clinical trial experience he is ideally suited for this role,” said Dr. Paul A. Rhodes, Specific’s CEO.

“I’m truly looking forward to working with all of the distinguished KOL sites we are contracting with for our US clinical trials,” said Mr. Wehage. “Once FDA approved, I believe the Reveal will truly change the way US hospital systems manage and treat blood stream infections.”

Prior to joining Specific, Mr. Wehage has worked in clinical research for over 20 years where he managed clinical trials for Becton Dickinson including a large, multisite US trial that ran for more than 4 years. Previously he was a program manager at Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Wehage has also served as President of the Baltimore Chapter of SoCRA (Society of Clinical Research Associates). He holds a Masters of Science from Johns Hopkins University.

About Specific

Specific Diagnostics has developed in vitro diagnostic systems based upon a unique, patented metabolomic signature technology that enables rapid detection and identification of microorganisms as they grow in culture. Its first commercial application applies this fundamental new platform to the rapid determination of antimicrobial susceptibility directly from positive blood cultures, as well as isolate dilutions. Specific is based in Mountain View, CA.

For press inquiries, please contact: press@specificdx.com

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Science: Biology

Molecular Devices opens Organoid Innovation Center

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Organoid Innovation Center at Molecular Devices

By allowing real-time feedback on 3D model development and providing greater confidence with standardized, more consistent protocols with precise timing of each step in the process, we’ve removed significant barriers to allow shorter time to discovery, while eliminating errors.


SAN JOSE, Calif. (PRWEB)

Molecular Devices, LLC., an industry leader in 3D biology and automated high-content imaging, has opened an Organoid Innovation Center at the company’s global headquarters. The center expands beyond imaging to demonstrate an end-to-end solution that addresses challenges associated with every step in the sample prep-to-report pipeline for assays performed on complex 3D biological models. On display are state-of-the-art methods and technologies to test automated workflows for organoid culturing to deliver consistent, unbiased, biologically-relevant results at scale.

“3D model development and screening has limitless potential for drug discovery,” said Dan O’Connor, Vice President, Drug Discovery, Molecular Devices. “Our vision was to create an organoid testing facility with technology that overcomes many of the hurdles researchers face during the complex 3D cell culturing and screening process. By allowing real-time feedback on 3D model development and providing greater confidence with standardized, more consistent protocols with precise timing of each step in the process, we’ve removed significant barriers to allow shorter time to discovery, while eliminating errors.”

At the Organoid Innovation Center, instruments work harmoniously together for autonomous, long-term, live cell 2D and 3D cell culture growth and monitoring with intelligent label-free imaging. This integrated workflow provides quality control alerts and readiness, 3D organoid screening, and deep learning image analysis that reveals hidden patterns other technologies miss. An intuitive scheduling software allows researchers to control the workflow remotely, tracking the cell journey from single cell to differentiated organoids along the way.    

The Organoid Innovation Center builds on Molecular Devices’ 35 years of experience delivering high-performance life science technology to customers such as Cincinnati Children’s Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM) whose mission is to use advances in developmental biology and stem cell technologies to revolutionize personalized medicine and improve patient care.

“While organoids hold great promise to transform drug development, precision medicine, and ultimately, transplantation-based therapies for end-stage diseases, a number of majors hurdles need to be overcome to realize the full potential of organoid medicine,” said Magdalena Kasendra, Ph.D., director of research and development at CuSTOM. “Our recently established CuSTOM Accelerator Lab aims to solve these issues by developing fully automated high-throughput workflows for improved scalability, reproducibility of organoid production and novel organoid-based drug screening platforms. Combining CuSTOM’s expertise with the cutting-edge imaging technologies and solutions from Molecular Devices will be essential for achieving these goals. CuSTOM’s innovative approach aligns well with the focus of Molecular Devices’ Organoid Innovation Center for advancing biological imaging and analytical methods for real-world impact, and we look forward to working together to further advance a versatile organoid medicine.”

To learn more about the Organoid Innovation Center, visit http://www.moleculardevices.com/organoid-innovation-center.

About Molecular Devices, LLC.

Molecular Devices is one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems, software and consumables for life science research, pharmaceutical and biotherapeutic development. Included within a broad product portfolio are platforms for high-throughput screening, genomic and cellular analysis, colony selection and microplate detection. These leading-edge products enable scientists to improve productivity and effectiveness, ultimately accelerating research and the discovery of new therapeutics. Molecular Devices is committed to the continual development of innovative solutions for life science applications. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California with offices around the globe. To learn more about Molecular Devices’ suite of imaging solutions and the role they play in advancing scientific discovery, visit http://www.moleculardevices.com/imaging.

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Science: Biology

Greenberg Traurig Grows Strong IP and Life Science Capabilities; Team Joins in Boston, Washington, D.C., Orange County, CA

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“These important IP laterals practice in key areas where we are already strong and to which we have a commitment to continue to grow with strategic and focused additions,” said Greenberg Traurig CEO Brian L. Duffy.


NEW YORK (PRWEB)

In recognition of clients’ critical need for intellectual property and life sciences legal counsel, Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues to grow its market dominance in these areas. The global law firm has added five attorneys and a patent agent to its Intellectual Property and Technology and Life Sciences practices. Joining as Shareholders are Dr. Prashant Girinath and Dr. David Steven Harburger in Boston, and Dr. Charles Andres, in Washington D.C. They bring strong life sciences experience to existing capabilities.

“These important IP laterals practice in key areas where we are already strong and to which we have a commitment to continue to grow with strategic and focused additions,” said Greenberg Traurig Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Duffy. “This team has an established and dynamic reputation for prompt, creative, proactive service to life sciences and biotechnology ventures.”

The group joins from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (WSGR), where they were longtime members of the patents and innovation practice. Also joining Greenberg Traurig from the group’s former firm are their former colleagues, as Associates David G. Mata, Ph.D. in Washington, D.C., and Cecily Wilbanks, Ph.D.. in Boston; and Patent Agent, Diana Hendricks, in the Orange County, CA office, along with several valued support business staff members.

The experienced and collaborative group represents clients in the highly in-demand biotech and life sciences sectors, including emerging and predictive technologies in pharmaceutical and biotech. They also serve clients in intellectual property, transactional, and regulatory matters across markets.

“Having Prashant, Charles, and David join speaks to one of the firm’s core goals of attracting diverse groups of attorneys who have unique and varied experience, in addition to their excellent legal reputation and dedication to our- high level of client service. Prashant’s track-record in IP strategy and licensing, Prashant’s methodical portfolio management, and Andres’s thought leadership at the IP-regulatory intersection provide a full-suite of IP related services for emerging companies and complement the expanding life sciences arm of our practice group as we continue to build Greenberg Traurig’s preeminent life sciences practice. These strategic hires further reflect our commitment to the life sciences and biotech sectors,” said the co-chairs of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice shareholders Ian C. Ballon, Viola Bensinger, Scott J. Bornstein, and Mark R. Galis, in a joint statement.

“Greenberg Traurig’s global reach and all around capabilities with over 2,200 attorneys around the world, provides us a unique opportunity to service all legal needs for our clients under one roof, irrespective of size, specialization, and location anywhere in the world. Importantly, the firm’s commitment, investment, and track record in diversity resonates well with our team’s vision and objectives,” Girinath said.

“Greenberg Traurig offers the platform, commitment to excellence in the delivery of legal services, and reputation that we know will benefit our clients. Additionally, our experience adds to the firm’s already strong teams focused on patent prosecution, life sciences, and emerging technologies. We had many options before us and deliberately chose Greenberg Traurig for these reasons as the best new home for our growing practice,” said Girinath, Harburger, and Andres in a joint statement.

Earlier this month, the firm added as shareholders David A. Gay, Ph.D., to its Intellectual Property & Technology and Life Sciences & Medical Technology practices in the Los Angeles office, and Andrew F. Halaby in the Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation practices in the Phoenix office. In January, patent attorney Nigamnarayan Acharya joined the practice as a shareholder in Atlanta. Earlier, Stephen G. Anderson, Ph.D., joined as an of counsel, registered patent attorney, in the Orlando office. With these hires, Greenberg Traurig has 18 attorneys and patent agents with Ph.D. degrees.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice: With more than 220 intellectual property attorneys and patent agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named “Law Firm of the Year” for Trademark Law and a “National Tier 1” Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law and Litigation, Copyright Law, and Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2020 “Best Law Firms.”

About Greenberg Traurig’s Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group: Greenberg Traurig’s Life Sciences & Medical Technology Group advises clients ranging from start-ups to large multinational public companies to leading research institutions. The group’s attorneys work closely with clients, providing innovative legal counsel to help them achieve their objectives – from discovery through commercialization and product marketing.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

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Science: Biology

San Jose BioCube Embarks on Next Phase of Plan to Attract the Next Generation of Scientists

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biocube, biotech, wetlab, research, san jose, silicon valley

BioCube’s new facility blends highly advanced biotech workplace environments with a modern lab design and beautiful architectural elements that feature space, natural light, greenery, and glass.

BioCube’s mission is to attract and retain the next generation of life-science innovators in Silicon Valley, and so our design and services echo the techniques employed by Silicon Valley’s top tech companies to woo sought-after employees in this competitive labor market.


SAN JOSE, Calif. (PRWEB)

San Jose BioCube has completed a major expansion of its HQ operations in South San Jose. Following a complete re-design of the ground floor once occupied by Roche, the South Bay biotech incubator now offers functional and appealing workspaces that include brand-new concept labs, huddle rooms, café kitchens, and on-site concierge support. This latest 67,000-square-foot addition to Silicon Valley’s biotech scene provides a hive-like setting for up to 50 life-science startups and emerging companies, ranging from small to mid-size.

“This is a major milestone for us because we wanted to provide the next frontier of lab design so our scientists could feel inspired and looked after,” said Tony Gonzales, CEO of San Jose BioCube. “When we hear that it’s more reminiscent of a hip hotel than a lab, we know we’ve succeeded in creating an experience that promotes our long-term vision.”

BioCube’s mission is to attract and retain the next generation of life-science innovators in Silicon Valley, and so its design echoes the techniques employed by Silicon Valley’s top tech companies to woo sought-after employees in a competitive labor market.

The new facility blends highly advanced biotech workplace environments with a modern lab design and beautiful architectural elements that feature space, natural light, greenery, and glass. It overlooks the Coyote Creek Preserve with its running and hiking trails, providing easy access to the inspirations of nature.

Advanced research and innovation already underway at San Jose BioCube includes focused drug development, clinical research organization (CRO) biological processes and life-science services, material science, and battery research. Already at 70 percent capacity, the concept is resonating with progressive early- and mid-stage companies. The first four anchor tenants include:


  • Loliware is the world’s leading seaweed-based material technology company, replacing single-use plastics. “We needed a new headquarters to rapidly advance our materials and tech development,” said Loliware CEO Sea Fawn Briganti. “We wanted a like-minded community setting ambitious goals in an inspiring setting. We ultimately found both in BioCube.”

  • Ionobell is a battery R&D company with expertise in cell and battery material. “After Stanford University shuttered its labs, we asked BioCube to co-develop a battery concept lab with us in their new facility,” said CEO Robert Neivert. “Fast-forward to today, and we have one of the top battery equipment infrastructures in the Bay Area and one of the newest in the country.”

  • Oxford BioTherapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company with a pipeline of immune-oncology and antibody-drug conjugate-based therapies aimed to fulfil major unmet patient needs by targeting difficult-to-treat cancers. “We are tripling our footprint at BioCube, where we began our US journey,” said CEO Christian Rohlff, Ph.D. “The expansion allows us to grow in the workplace for our existing staff.”

The San Jose BioCube project is being represented by Transwestern. “We have a mandate to support and facilitate life science at the origin,” said David Klein, SVP of Transwestern’s Bay Area Lab & Life Sciences brokerage team. “San Jose BioCube has become an enabling ecosystem for research, life-improving therapies, and jobs in the Bay Area. With such an important societal benefit, this is the most important commercial real estate work we do.”

Facilities & leasing contact

Oscar Battaglia 408.960.3807 https://www.sanjoseBioCube.com/connect

About San Jose BioCube

In everything we do, we believe in making the world a better place for innovators by providing user-friendly workspaces, modern labs, and common areas that are as clean and safe as they are beautifully designed and maintained. We thrill at providing care and all the little things that help accelerate and commercialize profound discoveries. Located in South San Jose, the original BioCube incubator is already home to some of the most dynamic early-stage companies that are pushing the limits of life sciences. To learn more, visit http://www.sanjosebiocube.com/expansion

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Science: Biology

KYBORA Appoints Jean CHATELLIER as Executive Vice President of KYBORA and, Managing Director and Member of the Board of Directors of its European Affiliate, KYBORA GmbH

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Dr. Jean Chatellier


PRINCETON, N.J., and BASEL, Switzerland (PRWEB)

Alan Vanderborght said, “I am thrilled to have Jean join our team. He brings more than two decades of diversified corporate and business development experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, spanning a broad range of therapeutic areas, asset (biopharma product as well as technology platforms) stages, and deal structures. I am convinced that KYBORA GmbH will experience a rapid growth under his leadership and I look forward to working closely with him in the coming years to achieve our vision of building a global advisory firm whose mission is to help Life Sciences companies achieve enduring success.”

Dr. Jean Chatellier added “The Company is a unique global advisory firm that really understands its clients’ needs and possesses an unparalleled global network within the major Life Sciences marketplaces. I am pleased to join KYBORA to help them grow in Europe.”

Prior to joining KYBORA, Jean was Chief Business Officer at Besins Healthcare, where, in three years, he completed 15 deals that are expected to generate close to $0.5B in revenues over the next five years. Before Besins Healthcare, he was Vice President Business Development at Avadel Pharmaceuticals where he contributed, starting with the acquisition of Éclat Pharmaceuticals, to the transformation of a standalone drug delivery fee for service business into a profitable specialty pharma. Before that, Jean was Director of Business Development at Micromet (now Amgen) where he participated to strategic partnerships (altogether for over $1B value) with Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lonza and Sanofi. He also worked for Crucell (now Johnson & Johnson) as business developer and, various Venture Capital firms as CEO and liquidator. Jean was the founding CEO of Avidis (now Osivax), a Medical Research Council (“MRC”) spin-off set-up with Sirs Alan R. Fersht and John E. Walker (Nobel Prize in chemistry 1997). He holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Strasbourg, France) and performed post-doctoral research with Sirs Allan R. Fersht and Greg P. Winter (Nobel Prize in chemistry 2018) at the Center for Protein Engineering of the MRC (Cambridge, UK).

The recent inception of KYBORA GmbH is part of the firm’s constant expansion across all major Life Science markets in the United States and Europe and, in the near future Asia and LATAM.

About KYBORA – KYBORA is a global advisory firm whose mission is to help Life Sciences companies (Pharmaceutical/Biotech/MedTech) achieve enduring success by offering optimal M&A (buy/sell), licensing (in-/out), fundraising and strategic consulting services globally. Headquartered in Princeton (USA), KYBORA has also representatives in the USA (San Francisco and Miami), LATAM (Brazil, Colombia and Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland), CIS-CEE (Hungary, Russia and Ukraine) and MENA-GCC (Saudi Arabia), and partners in Japan, China, India and, Argentina. Altogether, KYBORA offers the best combination of global reach and local knowledge. For more information, please visit https://kybora.com and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/kybora/.

KYBORA Contacts – Alan Vanderborght, Chief Executive Officer (alan@kybora.com – +1 609 970 4398) and Jean Chatellier, Executive Vice President and Managing Director (jean@kybora.com – +33 609 102 105).

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Science: Biology

Helmer Scientific Continues Cold Storage Innovation with Launch of GX Solutions Freezers for Vaccine, Medication, Blood Therapy, and Sample Storage

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NOBLESVILLE, Ill. (PRWEB)

Helmer Scientific, a leading manufacturer of cold storage products and processing equipment, has announced the expansion of the GX Solutions Cold Storage product line to include both undercounter and upright freezers. GX Solutions Freezers include models that are designed for vaccine and blood therapies, as well as other clinical applications, in capacity ranges from 5 to 25 cu ft. GX Solutions are professional medical-grade freezers that are powered by OptiCool technology and optimize temperature, noise, and energy management. Medical-grade freezers are required for a wide variety of healthcare applications. However, this equipment category has recently become even more critical as healthcare providers meet storage and handling requirements of new COVID-19 vaccines.

Temperature performance is critical to quality and compliance for clinical applications. GX Solutions excel in three key temperature management areas: uniformity, recovery, and stability. Achieving tight temperature uniformity throughout all storage locations within the unit helps ensure that clinical products, vaccines, therapies, or samples are stored within the required temperature ranges. In addition, GX Solutions are designed to recover quickly after frequent or prolonged door openings that are common in busy healthcare settings. These units also maintain temperature stability using variable-speed compressor technology to limit overall temperature deviations to safeguard sensitive clinical and scientific products.

New GX Solutions freezers have been designed to meet temperature performance requirements as included in a new and emerging NSF vaccine storage standard. This emerging standard will help indicate which vaccine refrigerators and freezers meet recommended temperature performance attributes that maintain vaccine safety. The new NSF standard is expected to be approved in 2021.

Helmer Scientific GX Solutions freezers are designed to reduce noise in clinical care areas. New GX Solutions freezers are 3x quieter than conventional units, helping reduce disruption to both patients and healthcare staff.

GX Solutions undercounter freezer models have been certified to the Energy Star High Performance laboratory freezer standard. Upright models have also been submitted and are expected to receive Energy Star certification by the end of March 2021. These freezers are 35-45% more energy efficient than conventional medical-grade freezers, which helps reduce operating costs and supports energy-use reduction initiatives. Heat output is also reduced by 30% compared to traditional refrigeration technology to limit HVAC system impact when units are installed in smaller rooms or along-side other equipment.

GX Solutions performance characteristics are achieved using OptiCool technology which pairs variable capacity compressors (VCC) with natural refrigerants. In addition to energy efficiency, this technology uses refrigerants that are environmentally friendly and have no impact on ozone depletion. OptiCool technology also eliminates the use of gases targeted for reduction due to high Global Warming Potential (GWP) as defined by the US EPA Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP), Paris Climate Agreement, Canadian Halocarbons Regulation, and the EU F-Gas Initiative.

“We are very excited to continue our transition to GX Solutions through the launch of new medical-grade freezers.” said Heather Barry, Product Manager. “Our specialized laboratory and plasma freezers will safeguard life-saving therapies used in the fight against COVID-19, including Convalescent Plasma and new COVID-19 vaccines that require frozen temperature storage. Helmer Scientific is proud to support our healthcare customers with new and innovative solutions that support delivering care to patients.”

Helmer Scientific GX Solutions are available in upright and undercounter pharmacy, blood bank and laboratory refrigerator models, as well as laboratory/vaccine and plasma upright and undercounter freezer models. For more information please visit http://info.helmerinc.com/gxsolutions.

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Science: Biology

Multidisciplinary Research Shows the Impact of Litesse® Fiber on Gut Microbiota and Lipid Metabolism in Mice

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)

Continuing their leading research in the field of nutrition and health, IFF (formerly DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences) researchers, in collaboration with researchers from Afekta Technologies Ltd., Finland, and the University of Oulu, Finland, recently released the findings of their latest study on the health effects of Litesse® polydextrose, a soluble fiber with prebiotic properties.

As reported previously (Raza et al. 2017), Litesse® was found to alter the gut microbiota, and to reduce fasting triglycerides and total cholesterol plasma levels in mice being fed a Western diet – a diet characterized by a high intake of saturated fats and sucrose, and a low intake of fiber. This new study builds upon existing research, to help further understand the mechanisms of action that Litesse® has at the molecular level.

‘‘The previous findings were so interesting that we wanted to explore in more detail what is behind these positive changes in metabolism and microbiota,’’ commented Ph.Lic. Markku Saarinen, senior scientist, IFF. “Thus, we extended the focus of the previous research to a molecular level.’’

The study examined blood and tissue samples from the mice fed a Western diet, with or without oral administration of Litesse® polydextrose. Metabolomic analyses of these tissue samples were conducted and revealed significant differences between mice fed with polydextrose and the mice in the control group.

‘’Metabolomic analytics are increasingly being used in food and nutrition research and, when investigating research questions related to the function of gut microbiota. With metabolomics, it is possible to explore the conversion products made by gut microbiota from dietary components, and examine what kind of metabolic alterations they evoke in the circulation and potential target tissues,’’ added Dr. Olli Kärkkäinen, CEO, Afekta Technologies Ltd.

The results showed that Litesse® polydextrose caused differential metabolite patterns in blood and adipose tissues. It also demonstrated that one-carbon metabolism, bile acid and tryptophan metabolism were associated with the hypolipidemic effects observed in the mice receiving polydextrose. The inclusion of polydextrose in the diet may have also altered the absorption of other dietary components, resulting in the hypolipidemic effect.

’While there are many dietary fibers on the market today, not all fibers act in the same way. Our study strongly supports this, which is why further investigation on whether the positive changes in lipid metabolism are also observed in humans is warranted,’’ concluded Dr. Heli Anglenius, senior scientist, IFF.

You can read more about this study at http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-78484-y

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Science: Biology

Shoreline Biome Announces New Canadian Distribution Partnership with D-Mark Biosciences to Accelerate Microbiome Research

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FARMINGTON, Conn. (PRWEB)

Shoreline Biome, a microbiome research company that develops complete solutions for characterizing microbiome populations down to the strain level, has entered into a distribution partnership for the promotion, sale and support of all Shoreline Biome products and software in Canada.

“Canada is experiencing significant growth in microbiome research,” said Duane Mendis, General Manager at D-Mark Biosciences. “We are excited to work with the Shoreline Biome team to expand our product portfolio and provide our customers with an easy-to-use solution from sample to answer for microbiome applications.”

Toronto-based D-Mark Biosciences specializes in providing full workflow solutions to Genomic, Molecular, and Cell Biology laboratories with a strong focus on sequencing solutions. D-Mark Biosciences will provide Shoreline Biome’s instruments, microbiome kits, and analysis software to companies and research organizations all across Canada. The company was established in 2008.

“We are excited to welcome Canada’s premier life sciences distributor and to provide researchers all across Canada with access to our transformative tools and technologies used for comprehensively studying the microbiome,” said Karen Woodward, Shoreline Biome’s Vice President of Business Development. “Our complete portfolio of products accelerates breakthroughs in microbiome research by streamlining workflows and reducing time to answers on multiple industry-leading long-read and short-read NGS platforms.”

A detailed list of Shoreline Biome’s international distributors and ordering information by country can be accessed at shorelinebiome.com/international-distributors.

For more information about D-Mark Biosciences, visit d-markbio.com.

About Shoreline Biome:

Characterizing the human microbiome and analyzing its role in human health and disease are priority goals for researchers around the world. Shoreline Biome accelerates breakthroughs in microbiome research by developing transformative discovery tools that characterize microbiome populations down to the strain level. With Shoreline Biome products, all it takes is three easy steps: lyse, purify, and amplify. Shoreline Biome’s easy-to-use companion analysis software and comprehensive reference database enables straightforward strain-level identification and quantitation of all bacteria in the sample. To learn more, visit http://www.shorelinebiome.com.

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Science: Biology

New Data from PASA Illuminates State of African Primates

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Chimpanzee West Africa Action for Chimpanzees

Tita was rescued from the pet trade and is learning how to be wild at PASA member sanctuary Chimpanzee Conservation Center in Guinea.

The data are clear that African apes and monkeys are under siege.


PORTLAND, Ore. (PRWEB)

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)—the largest alliance of wildlife centers in Africa—released its 2020 census of African primates today. The report sheds new light on the state of the continent’s primates by combining census data collected by PASA member sanctuaries with information on the threats to wild primates and projections of human population growth in Africa. Taken together, the data provide a striking view of the complex challenges facing Africa’s great apes and monkeys.

“The data are clear that African apes and monkeys are under siege,” said Gregg Tully, Executive Director of PASA. “We run the very real prospect of losing some species in our lifetime, so we at PASA are using this report to start a broader dialog – one that considers the full context around primate conservation.”

The report is the role of human population growth in the fight to save great apes and monkeys from extinction. Human population in Africa is projected to grow from the current 1.3 billion to 2.5 billion in 2050. One fifth of the population is currently considered “very food insecure” and an additional 144 million people are classified as “moderately food insecure.” Forests and other wild habitat are already disappearing due to mining, forestry, and agricultural activity, and population growth will accelerate that loss, creating conflict with wildlife and escalating the risk of disease outbreaks.

“PASA members already face these realities,” continued Tully. “Wildlife crime, disease, habitat loss, and grinding poverty are the backdrop of their work. So they have built the relationships and resiliency needed to make lasting change.”

The report notes that PASA member sanctuaries employed nearly 700 African nationals and contributed over $6M to local economies – this in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic decimated their revenues.

While so far no primates in Africa are known to have contracted the disease, all sanctuaries in the Alliance implemented strict biosecurity protocols and many had staff sheltering on site for months, rather than risk bringing in the disease.

Despite the challenges, the need for sanctuary care has not diminished. PASA members rescued 239 primates – a 22% increase over 2019 – from poaching, the pet trade, and exploitative entertainment environments.

“Sanctuaries are crucial for long-term primate survival,” Tully said. “They can be a safe haven, a source of lifelong care, or a stop on a journey that leads back to the wild. But given what we see in this report, I worry that our efforts may not be sufficient. This urgency fuels our work – and these data are one tool to change the trajectory for these amazing animals.”

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