Article- TheStreet.com-
5 Companies I liked at the Salomon Biotech Conference:
Inovio Inovio focuses on immunotherapies for an array of cancers and infectious diseases. The core technology is based on the idea of using DNA encoded for a biologic target. This method, in essence, creates a natural medicine in the body. Inovio’s goal is to contract a piece of DNA into the cells of a diseased body, which, in reaction, will cause the cells to produce the encoded biologic target. This process will allow the body to produce agents for therapeutic and preventative capabilities. While other companies are currently working with invasive surgical solutions, Inovio is one of the few companies that is successfully developing a non-surgical approach to treating this disease.
Inovio, is based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Dr. David Weiner, a leading expert in the field of DNA vaccines, and Joseph Kim started the company in 2000. With 150 employees, Inovio has uniquely continued the fight against several cancers and infectious diseases including HIV, HPV, and Hepatitis.
Asterias Asterias is a biotherapeudic company with an emphasis on spinal cord injuries, cancer and regenerative medicine. Asterias is now entering phase two in their process of research and solutions.
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Pluripotent stem cells help in the process of regenerative medicine. These cells are able to take on many forms, which allows the body to help regenerate the parts needed in or on our body. The Asteria immunotherapy method aids patients in the area of cancer. Asterias’s research in this subject has led to an achievement of a 58% relapse-free remission rate. The associates at Asteria have wide ranging experience in these areas and are all confident that the therapies mentioned hold great opportunity for the upcoming
The cells unique nature has scientists intrigued to do research with the focus of finding a way that these cells can be used to replace patients’ injured or diseased tissues. Advancement is made to all the three types of stem cells namely embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells in addition to induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic cells are the building blocks of an embryo that is developing, and can develop into almost all body cell types. Somatic cells are found in the body tissues. They renew and regenerate in healthy bodies. The third type which is induced pluripotent is genetically modified embryo cells from skin cells.2 Research on these cells are geared towards saving humanity; a noble course.
In comparison to other slaves that are discussed over time, Olaudah Equiano truly does lead an ‘interesting’ life. While his time as a slave was very poor there are certainly other slaves that he mentions that received far more damaging treatment than he did. In turn this inspires him to fight for the abolishment of slavery. By pointing out both negative and positive events that occurred, the treatment he received from all of his masters, the impact that religion had on his life and how abolishing slavery could benefit the future of everyone as a whole; Equiano develops a compelling argument that does help aid the battle against slavery. For Olaudah Equiano’s life journey expressed an array of cruelties that came with living the life of an
Maus is a graphic memoir by Art Spiegelman, about a father, Vladek, survivor of the Holocaust and a son, Arty, who wants to know what was it like living during the Holocaust era. During the holocaust years, Vladek was advised by a rabbi that his tattooed number will bring him luck. Throughout the story, he continues to personify the luck his number represents by being persistent and hardworking. Despite suffering starvation, thirst, and not feeling well, Vladek continues to remain humble by helping his fellow inmates. Many years passed after the war ended, Vladek was portrayed as this conservative man, but there was a reason behind that mask. Vladek did not want people to step over him like he was stepped on before; he wanted to teach Arty
Stem cell research began in 1956 when Dr. E Donnall Thomas performed the first bone marrow transplant (“Adult stem cells are not more promising,” 2007). Since that time, research has evolved into obtaining cells from a variety of tissues. According to stem cell research professors, Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee (2005), “Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that are capable of becoming cells, each with new specialized functions” (p. 2). Stem cells are in various adult tissues, such as bone marrow, the liver, the epidermis layer of skin, the central nervous system, and eyes. They are also in other sources, such as fetuses, umbilical cords, placentas, embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are cells from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency. Most stem cells offer multipotent cells, which are sparse...
In “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop, the narrator attempts to understand the relationship between humans and nature and finds herself concluding that they are intertwined due to humans’ underlying need to take away from nature, whether through the act of poetic imagination or through the exploitation and contamination of nature. Bishop’s view of nature changes from one where it is an unknown, mysterious, and fearful presence that is antagonistic, to one that characterizes nature as being resilient when faced against harm and often victimized by people. Mary Oliver’s poem also titled “The Fish” offers a response to Bishop’s idea that people are harming nature, by providing another reason as to why people are harming nature, which is due to how people are unable to view nature as something that exists and goes beyond the purpose of serving human needs and offers a different interpretation of the relationship between man and nature. Oliver believes that nature serves as subsidence for humans, both physically and spiritually. Unlike Bishop who finds peace through understanding her role in nature’s plight and acceptance at the merging between the natural and human worlds, Oliver finds that through the literal act of consuming nature can she obtain a form of empowerment that allows her to become one with nature.
Gene patent is owned by Myriad in Salt Lake City, Utah. That being said, they're the only ones to care for this type of cancer and also the reason why it costs so much. New York Hospital
“Top Ten Things to Know About Stem Cell Treatments.” Www.closerlookatstemcells.org ISSCR. Web 1 November 2013
Martina concluded that this treatment of using one’s own stem cells to help treat this rare form of cancer would result in a better chance of complete remission from this cancer. She also concluded that this was beneficial for this female patient because it prevented having to be exposed to immunosuppressants and
While the validity of his narrative is to this day widely debated, The interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano provides “insight into the dynamics of slavery, the slave trade, and the abolition movement” Traveling back into the 17th century the reader gets a firsthand experience of a life of a young slave who has opened the worlds eye’ and provides reasonable supportive arguments into the abolition of slavery in the aspects of human acceptance and morality, commerce economy, and the freedom of religion which all he has shared with his white owner counterparts.
The pharmaceutical and biotech industries must be free to develop and research life saving medicines and other advancements that will benefit society. If this cannot be done, progress would never be made. People would still be contracting polio a...
...f ivermectin in the first place. Furthermore, we wouldn’t want to risk Merck going out of business, as it seems they had the capability to produce many useful medications. They’d already proved to make six useful, safe, and powerful drugs—the medical world wouldn’t want to lose such able creators. The best choice, therefore, would have Merck contributing to the research, but include other pharmaceutical companies and private donors to help with the financial and personnel costs. This funding would allow Merck and the other companies to sell at low costs, or even give, the medication to those who desperately need it. In order to implement such this type of plan, Merck would have to take the lead. They would have to actively seek out organizations, companies and private donors and explain the wonderful consequences for huge populations with the success of ivermectin.
The multinational pharmaceutical firm, Wellcome PLC, brought a product to the market to help treat the symptoms of AIDS and HIV. Wellcome PLC owns an American subsidiary known as the Burroughs Wellcome Company. In 1987, Burroughs Wellcome Company received FDA approval to sale Retrovir, which interferes with the ability of HIV infected cells to produce new virus. Burroughs Wellcome Company finds itself under siege in September 1989 by AIDS activists and various segments of the U.S. government. Despite two reductions in price in the last two years, Burroughs Wellcome Company’s executive management is under unrelenting pressure to decrease the price of Retrovir so that many more people can afford the prescription.
Invitrogen, founded in 1987 was one of the biggest life science companies that derived their success from mergers and acquisitions under the direction of CEO Greg Lucier. Mr Lucier was quoted say “Acquisitions will always be a part of our strategy due to the pace of innovation of our business”. Invitrogen was able to acquire 15 other companies and grew their business to 35,000 products and 10,000 customers. Their customers include academic research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as governmental laboratories.
Since its humble beginning as a small drugstore, Merck has placed a large amount of importance on improving the health and well-being of its customers. As drug patents expire and genetic forms of their top products become available, Merck’s strategy is to do the unexpected; instead of raising the price of their older products in favor of patent protected new drugs, Merck focuses on reducing their cost in order to better compete with their generic counterparts. Additionally, Merck’s plan for growth now encompasses a much more aggressive pursuit of new drugs in their pipeline through extensive research. Merck became the second largest health care company in the world after the merger with Schering-Plough in 2009 and has contributed great discoveries like the first cervical cancer vaccine and great resources like the Merck Manuals which are utilized as a source of information to doctors, scientists and consumers worldwide .
The original case was about Chiron, a biotechnology company, in the United States. Chiron was acquired in 2006 by Novartis, a Swedish company formed by the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz Laborites. Since Chiron no longer exists, we have focused our case around Novartis as of 2013. Novartis specializes in diagnostic services, generic and name brand medications, ophthalmological tools, as well as a small segment in pet health. The business prides itself in producing the latest drugs, hiring the best talent, and being a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry.