According to newly required annual department reports of China’s central government agencies, 2011 R&D spending was CNY 73.7 billion ($11.4 billion), 9% of gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) or 39% of government contributions to GERD. Agencies also receive research funds from sources such as businesses and local governments. The Ministry of Science and Technology […]

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), a trade group representing over 300 companies in the food, beverage, and consumer-products industry, announced last month its plans to address consumer concerns about food additives that are “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). Currently, companies can decide if a substance is GRAS without approval by the FDA. Per the GMA’s […]

In their July survey of 958 chemical companies, ICIS and Genomatica found that over the last year, chemical producers have experienced the same level (44%) or greater (36%) interest in sustainable chemicals from their customers. More sustainable versions of chemicals are already offered by 31% of producers, with 41% expecting to offer them within the […]

Second quarter IBO Life Science Index sales grew 5.1%, 6.0% excluding currency, to $3,568 million. Operating profit jumped 11.2% to $780 million. Illumina’s strong financial performance accounted for roughly half of the Index’s organic sales and operating profit growth. Based on continuing operations, operating margin advanced 100 basis points to 19.6% of sales. Sequenom was […]

London, UK 9/9/14; Cambridge, UK 9/9/14—Abcam, a publicly held provider of protein-research tools and services, announced the appointment of Alan Hirzel as CEO, effective immediately. He replaces Jonathan Milner, PhD, who will now serve as deputy chairman. Mr. Hirzel previously served as chief marketing officer. “Alan will take over the leadership of the company, with […]

San Diego, CA 9/2/14—BioLegend acquired on August 29 the Antibody Services business unit of Covance for an undisclosed amount. The business develops and manufactures antibodies and research reagents for neuroscience, immunopathology, cell biology, epitope tags and immunohistochemistry detection, including IVD antibodies for immunohistochemistry (IHC). “The addition of Neuroscience and IHC antibody tools to our catalog […]

Yokohama, Japan 9/9/14—Publicly held Japanese iPSC firm ReproCELL has acquired the iPS Cell Business Unit of Stemgent for an undisclosed amount. The Business Unit supplies iPSC-research reagent products, including mRNA reprogramming kits, xeno-free culture media and specialty chemicals for cell differentiation. ReproCELL stated that the acquisition would broaden its selection of iPSC products and strengthen […]

Radnor, PA 9/10/14—VWR has acquired Netherlands- and Belgium-based Klinipath and its affiliates Immunologic, Mortupath and Klinipath BVBA for an undisclosed amount. Kilinipath provides equipment, consumables and reagents, representing suppliers for the histology, pathology, cytology, immunology and clinical chemistry industries, as well as supplies private-label equipment, reagents and plastic disposables. “Klinipath, Immunologic and Mortupath are recognized […]

Washington, DC 9/2/14—Danaher has implemented its succession plan (see IBO 4/30/14) ahead of schedule, appointing Thomas P. Joyce, Jr. as president and CEO, effective September 9. “The transition has proceeded quite well since April, and the Board has concluded that Tom is now ready to be Chief Executive Officer,” commented Steven M. Rales, chairman of […]