Biopharmaceutical manufacturers have successfully patented isolated DNA molecules for some time. The Biotechnology Industry Organization recently described these patents as critical tools that enable the research and development of new biotech therapies. A new development in a federal court case, however, could redefine what legitimately can and cannot be patented. The court’s decision could have ramifications for all biopharmaceutical manufacturers. Read more »

Last Monday, I argued that renewed investment in research and development would be the pharmaceutical industry’s surest route back to prosperity. An investment that Novartis (Basel) made a few days later indicated that the company seems to agree with me. What’s more, the investment will create new jobs in the US. Read more »

In the keynote address to a conference on Regional Innovation Clusters on Sept. 23, 2010, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president, and CEO of Eli Lilly, called for federal policies that further encourage regional economic innovation as a key to renewing the nation’s economy. Lechleiter addressed a broad spectrum of policymakers, including members of the Obama administration, at a conference co-hosted by The Brookings Institution, the Center for American Progress, the Council on Competitiveness, and the National Association of Development Organizations. Read more »

Last week, Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced legislation, the Creating Hope Act of 2010 (S 3697), to provide incentives for drug companies to develop treatments for rare and neglected pediatric diseases. The legislation hopes to build on a private–public model to encourage targeted development for rare diseases. Read more »

In a speech before the Detroit Economic Club last week, John C. Lechleiter, chairman, president, and CEO of Eli Lilly, addressed what he regards as declining competitive scientific advantage in the US and the policies that he thinks are important for the US not to lose its position in the life sciences. Read more »

Big biopharmaceutical companies likely struck up a chorus of “We’re in the Money” upon hearing Ernst and Young’s report that the world’s established biotechnology markets achieved profitability in 2009 for the first time ever. Mostly by dint of cost cutting, major players such as Genzyme (Cambridge, MA) moved out of the red and into the black. Making a profit was no small feat during the economic downturn, and large biopharmaceutical companies have a right to celebrate. Small companies and startups, however, are more likely to sing along with Bob Dylan, “It’s not dark yet, but it’s gettin’ there.” Read more »

These days, research scientists, much like Rodney Dangerfield, can’t get any respect. The latest evidence of this arrived on Friday, when AstraZeneca (London) proposed to cut 3500 research and development (R&D) jobs by 2014. Read more »

The numbers are in, and it looks like 2009 produced a bumper crop of biopharmaceuticals. The US Food and Drug Administration approved a record 16 new biopharmaceutical entities last year, as opposed to 10 in 2008, according to a study by the Biotechnology Information Institute. Seven recombinant-protein or antibody products were approved last year, continuing an upward trend for these molecules. Great news, right? Read more »

It’s a new year and the cusp of a new decade. In boardrooms and management suites, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical executives are asking each other how their companies can develop innovative new products and turn a profit in the coming years. Here’s my unsolicited advice: hire more women managers. Read more »

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about a tax proposal in the UK that should offer companies more incentive to invest in innovative industries, such as pharma and biotech. The proposal, dubbed the ‘patent box’ was announced in the UK HM Treasury’s Pre-Budget Report 2009. Read more »