Life sciences

As it takes an axe to quangos from education to health, the UK government is laying plans for a new single body to supervise clinical trials.

Genomics is turbo-charging traditional plant and animal breeding. But can new varieties get patent protection, ask Nicholas Jones and Rachel Wallis of Withers & Rogers LLP.

AstraZeneca and the Medicines for Malaria Venture have announced a collaboration to identify novel candidate drugs for the treatment of malaria.

SV Life Sciences has announced the final closing of its newest fund, SV Life Sciences Fund V, at over $523 million, well exceeding its target of $400 million.

One game-changer can deliver the promise of personalised healthcare. It is information technology, says Alan Davies of GE Healthcare.

Human genes are patentable, says the English Court of Appeal, but only if the patent describes a practical way that the gene or protein can be exploited.

The Research Council and the R&D community in Norway are planning a new biotechnology research initiative for 2011.

French innovation-focused mutual funds can make tax-efficient equity investments in ExonHit Therapeutics for renewable 3-year periods.

France’s small biopharmaceutical and life science companies have been weakened by the financial crisis and had to face a drastic drop in investment in 2009.

There is still uncertainty among investors about the commercial promise of the emerging field of personalised medicine.