The percentage of NIH research grant applications that were funded fell 3% to a record low of 18% in fiscal 2011. The decline is mainly due to the funding of continuing multiyear R01 grants. Funding such grants cost the NIH an additional $189 million and accounted for 78% of available grant money. Another factor was […]

To increase sluggish returns on investment, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are relying more on CROs, according to a new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). In the last two years, pharmaceutical and biotech firms have established 22 major partnerships with CROs, which now account for 40% of discovery and development (D&D). In September 2011, […]

According to the Industrial Research Institute’s (IRI) 28th annual “R&D Trends Forecast,” 53% of respondents plan to spend the same amount on R&D in 2012 as last year. The IRI surveyed R&D managers at 104 firms in multiple industries in July and August 2011. R&D budget increases of 2.5% to 5% are expected by 22% […]

US equity markets recorded positive gains in January due to improved consumer sentiment, strong manufacturing data and the Fed’s announcement that it will maintain exceptionally low rates through late 2014. In addition, China reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter growth, which climbed 8.9%. As such, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ climbed 3.4%, 4.4% and […]

Washington, DC 1/25/12—Affymetrix announced in an SEC filing that it has agreed to settle a class-action suit brought by Tang Capital Partners, in which Tang alleged Affymetrix had violated the terms of its Senor Convertible Notes (see IBO 12/31/11). As part of the settlement, Affymetrix will commence a tender offer within two weeks to repurchase […]

Carlsbad, CA 1/24/12—Life Technologies has acquired Matrix MicroScience, a UK-based manufacturer of large-volume, automated sample preparation systems and consumables for food safety testing. The company’s products include the PATHATRIX AUTO system for isolating and concentrating target bacteria in food samples at high volumes. “This acquisition provides all the benefits we were looking for to address […]

Karlsruhe, Germany 1/26/12—Bruker AXS GmbH has acquired the assets of Hecus X-ray Systems, a maker of small-angle X-ray scattering systems (SAXS) based on advanced Kratky technology, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition adds the MICROcaliX product line to Bruker AXS’s product line. “I am convinced that our expanded SAXS product portfolio that now includes our […]

Carlsbad, CA 1/16/12—Life Technologies has agreed with DaAn Gene to form Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostics, a joint venture diagnostic business in China. DaAn Gene is a Chinese molecular in vitro diagnostic solutions provider. The joint venture will develop and commercialize molecular diagnostic assays using Life Technologies’ 3500 Dx capillary electrophoresis system and Big Dye Cycle […]

San Diego, CA 1/24/12; Basel, Germany 1/25/12; San Diego, CA 1/26/12; Basel, Germany 1/27/12; San Diego 1/27/12; Basel, Germany 1/31/12; San Diego, CA 1/31/12—Roche has launched a hostile takeover bid for Illumina, following what Roche stated were multiple efforts to negotiate directly with Illumina. Roche has commenced a tender offer for shares of Illumina for […]