Laboratory Focus November 2012 by Promotive Communications

PHARMACEUTICAL

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CHEMICAL

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NOVEMBER 2012 Volume 16, Number 6 R&D News.......................... 1 Appointments..................... 6 Pharma Notes..................... 7 New Products................... 15 Calendar........................... 17 Career Spotlight............... 18

2012 Readers’ Choice Awards Page 10

Saskatoon brain surgeon and medical researcher Dr. Michael Kelly has been awarded the Saskatchewan research chair in clinical stroke research to pursue his work in the operating room and at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron to advance understanding of strokes and improve prevention and treatment. “The creation of this chair in clinical stoke research increases our health research capacity and enables collaboration toward Saskatchewan solutions in dealing with strokes, which have a devastating effect on individuals and their families,” said Rob Norris, Saskatoon Greystone MLA on behalf of Health Minister Dustin Duncan. The chair will provide $1 million over five years, jointly funded by three Saskatchewan organizations –- the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF), the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). The U of S will provide an additional $200,000 for equipment and personnel costs, as well as providing protected research time and salary. The Saskatoon Health Region is also providing contributions

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Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation

DR. MICHAEL KELLY NAMED SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH CHAIR IN CLINICAL STROKE RESEARCH

through additional access to equipment, facilities and personnel. ”The world of stroke treatment has radically changed in the past decade, largely due to a focus

on stroke research,” said Lorie Langenfurth, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “But this is still a devastating condition that affects 50,000 Canadians every year. Dr. Kelly’s work will bring us that much closer to turning the tide on stroke.” Kelly’s research program will use synchrotron imaging to trace how stem cells move through the brain after a stroke. He will also test the properties of stents – expandable mesh tubes placed inside blood vessels – with a view to improving these and similar medical

devices. These research activities are expected to contribute greatly to knowledge and awareness of stroke care, treatment and prevention. The Saskatchewan research chairs program aims to attract, support and retain top-quality research leaders who are working in a provincial priority area and who contribute to capacity building and knowledge sharing in those areas. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=266

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NEWS BAXTER AND MaRS INNOVATION FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Baxter International Inc. and MaRS Innovation, a centre of excellence for commercialization and research, have entered into a strategic partnership to commercialize early-stage technologies that present innovative methods

in therapeutics and drug discovery technologies. Baxter and MaRS Innovation will identify investment opportunities emerging from well-validated scientific research discoveries within MaRS Innovation’s 16 mem-

ber institutions, including the University of Toronto and its nine affiliated teaching hospitals. Baxter will provide up to U.S. $1 million in funding over a three-year period to support promising individual projects based on their positive due

diligence, which will be leveraged with financial support from MaRS Innovation to accelerate the development and validation of healthcare technologies within the largest academic cluster in Canada. Continued on page 4

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Terri Pavelic STAFF WRITERS Shawn Lawrence Daniela Fisher CONTRIBUTING WRITER Deepak Mistry NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Marcello Sukhdeo GRAPHIC DESIGNER Elena Pankova CONTROLLER John R. Jones MARKETING MANAGER Mary Malofy CIRCULATION DIRECTOR James Watson circulation@promotive.net OFFICE: 24-4 Vata Court Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 Phone: 905-727-3875 Fax: 905-727-4428 E-mail: laboratory_focus@ promotive.net SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES circulation@promotive.net Fax: 905-727-4428 Laboratory Focus is published 6 times per year by Promotive Communications Inc. Legal Depository: National Library of Canada ISSN 40052410 Subscription rate in Canada $35/year; USA $60/year; other countries $100/year. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Publications Mail Registration Number: 40052410 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept: 24-4 Vata Court Aurora, ON L4G 4B6 E-mail: circulation@promotive.net If you would like to order hard copy or electronic reprints of articles, contact Sandra Service 905-727-3875 x228 reprints@promotive.net ABC Membership Applied For www.laboratoryfocus.ca

INNOVATIVE NEW DEFIBRILLATOR OFFERS ALTERNATIVE FOR REGULATING HEARTBEAT

Dr. Pablo Nery and Dr. David Birnie from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (CNW Group/Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa). A new ground-breaking technology was recently used at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) where two cardiologists, Dr. David Birnie and Dr. Pablo Nery, implanted a new innovative leadless defibrillator, the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), in an 18-year-old patient. Under Health Canada’s special access program, this was only the third time this new type of ICD had been implanted in Canada. Conventional defibrillators, known as transvenous defibrillators, are implanted with wires, called the leads, that snake through veins into the heart. When the defibrillator identifies any dangerous heartbeat, it delivers a shock through the wires to return the heart to its normal rhythm and allows it to get back to pumping blood steadily throughout the body. Not all patients are suitable for a conventional defibrillator. In some with congenital heart problems, there is no way to advance the leads into the heart through the veins. Also, those wires may pose a danger due to the risk of blood clots or infection. Patients often have to undergo a more complex and invasive surgery to attach the leads to the outer layer of the heart muscle in order to benefit from the use of a defibrillator. Conventional ICDs use leads that run from the device through major veins to an anchor point in the heart. These transvenous leads can cause problems in the long term. Despite decades of design improvements, leads can malfunction, break or stop working. Known as lead failure, this results in either inappropriate shocks or lack of proper regulation of the heartbeat. What’s worse is that failed leads often must be removed, which

November 2012

poses serious risks to the patient. What makes the new device special is that it is entirely subcutaneous. No part of it actually touches the heart. Instead, an electrode is implanted just under the skin near the heart. The defibrillator is connected to the electrode, and monitors the heartbeat at all times. If needed, it delivers a shock to the heart muscle to restore its normal rhythm. The goal of the subcutaneous ICD is to potentially reduce or eliminate these problems. “The subcutaneous ICD provides effective therapy for patients who are either not eligible for or are at high risk with a traditional ICD. Such patients may now be able to receive protection from a subcutaneous ICD without the risks associated with the standard leads,” explained Dr. Nery. That made the 18-year-old recipient of the S-ICD at the Heart Institute a perfect candidate. “The S-ICD offers advantages for particular patient sub-groups,” said Dr. Nery. “This technology is now an alternative for young patients, in part because lead extraction can be avoided down the road.” Another advantage is more aesthetic in nature but, nonetheless, important for young people. A conventional transvenous defibrillator sits on the front on the chest, just under the collarbone, and is easy to see. The S-ICD, in comparison, is implanted to the side, under the patient’s arm, and with a much smaller incision than with the transvenous defibrillator. That, said Dr. Nery, is an important consideration for many patients in terms of body image and quality of life. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=235

NEWS

INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA COLLABORATE IN ANTI-TB VACCINE DEVELOPMENT Dalton Pharma Services and the University of Guelph are collaborating on the development of an anti-tuberculosis (TB) vaccine. Initiation of the program was made possible through government funding directed at applied research. The vaccine will be jointly developed at the University of Guelph and Dalton under the direction of professor Mario A. Monteiro, who is a world leader in microbial polysaccharide discovery and the development of polysaccharide-based vaccines. Dalton will scale up and manufacture the conjugate vaccine under GLP for proof of concept studies in an animal model. “This collaboration is a perfect fit for our long term business development strategy in the vaccine field”, said Peter Pekos, CEO of Dalton. “A vaccine against TB is one of the world’s most sought after vaccines. Successful commercialization would result in a potential blockbuster product that Dalton will manufacture in Canada. Industry, government, and academia will work together creating highly skilled jobs and further strengthen our capacity for innovative development in the vaccine sector.” Commented professor Monteiro, “I am delighted to embark on this project with Dalton, on the leading edge of development of the vaccines to treat diseases that cause considerable suffering around the world.” “Tuberculosis,” continued professor Monteiro, “causes more

deaths than any other infectious disease. About two billion people are infected with the TB bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Each year, eight million people develop active TB, and two million die. Although the world’s poorest countries have the highest overall incidence of active TB, some segments of North American society have even greater rates. The challenges posed by this disease have been increased by the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains. Current treatments for MDR-TB involve very long periods of intensive drug therapy, which are accompanied by side effects many patients find unbearable, and often fail.” The strategy used for the anti-TB vaccine program of Dalton and U of G is to develop an initial vaccine which is effective against Mycobacterium bovis, the agent responsible for tuberculosis in cattle and lions. Previous studies have shown that M. bovis and the human agent M. tuberculosis share similar polysaccharides. The polysaccharide-based M. bovis vaccine will be constructed using technology developed by professor Monteiro and will be evaluated in a lion animal model through an arrangement already in place with veterinary expertise at the Timbavati Nature Reserve in South Africa. A successful outcome will lead to a vaccine treatment for animal TB, and will provide a solid platform for the development of a human anti-TB vaccine. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=274

professor Mario A. Monteiro

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NEWS Continued from page 2 “We value this opportunity to partner with Ontario’s leading universities and research institutions through MaRS Innovation to advance innovative technologies and product platforms that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients, while contributing to reducing the total cost of care,” said Norbert G. Riedel, chief science and innovation officer for Baxter. “By bringing together pre-eminent researchers and institutions from across Ontario with investments and expertise from organizations like Baxter, we can incubate and hopefully develop new therapeutic concepts in areas of high unmet medical need,” said Michael Oliver, general manager for Baxter Canada. “This partnership is another testament to the excellence in the innovation pipeline that MaRS Innovation’s members represent,” said Dr. Raphael Hofstein, president and CEO of MaRS Innovation. “Baxter is a significant global player in delivering healthcare technologies. We are excited that they view the Ontario ecosystem as a hub of innovation for development and commercialization. Partnerships like this one represent a significant opportunity to not only attract financial resources, but also expertise and market validation for technology development.” To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=284

SCIENTISTS FIND WAY TO CONTROL SUGARS

L to R: Mario Pinto, Eric LeGresley and Kyle Greenway A study co-led by Simon Fraser University has found that the intestinal enzymes responsible for processing starchy foods can be turned on and off, helping to better control those processes in people with Type 2 diabetes. The process, called “toggling,” was discovered in the lab of SFU chemist Mario Pinto, who has designed inhibitors capable of regulating each of the four starch-digesting enzymes known as alpha-glucosidases. It could lead to several solutions for diabetics and those prone to obesity. Three of these enzymes are responsible for generating glucose

from starch, each in different ways. A fourth enzyme breaks down sucrose, also giving glucose. Occasionally one or more of the enzymes is missing, which also affects how glucose is created, Pinto explains. “We wanted to determine whether we could control the release of glucose when starch is broken down in the body,” says Pinto, whose work included characterizing each of the four enzymes. Working with a consortium of scientists co-led by Purdue University’s Bruce Hamaker, a professor of food science, Pinto says the inhibitors were found to selectively inhibit the enzymes and control starch break-

down, meaning it could be possible to provide the missing enzymes or develop new starches that will digest properly with the enzymes they do have. “It’s all about control and using the molecular information we have to control those enzymes,” he says. “Selectively inhibiting the enzymes offers the possibility of regulating and directing the release of glucose,” says Pinto, noting the consortium of scientists approached the problem from chemical, structural, molecular and cellular perspectives. When enzymes are missing – a common characteristic of a rare disease known as CSID – Pinto says it may be possible to administer one, and design foods in certain ways that other enzymes can break down. “This is a powerful piece of knowledge,” adds Pinto, noting that in the future it may be possible to control the exact delivery of glucose at different points in the small intestine. The discovery could result in the control of blood glucose for Type 2 diabetes as well as other conditions. The findings were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=252

PROOF CENTRE PARTNERS WITH MRM PROTEOMICS TO BRING NEW TESTS TO CLINIC Become a certified chemical technologist (cct) cCT certification offered by the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT) • Is recognized nationally by employers • Is based on Canada-wide technology standards • Allows for greater career mobility CSCT members in good standing who have attained the required combination of education and experience in chemical technology need only apply once for the cCT for the one time fee of $25 plus tax. Certification remains valid as long as CSCT membership is maintained.

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The Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF Centre) and MRM Proteomics are collaborating to bring new diagnostic blood tests to the clinic they hope will help clinicians manage patients with heart, lung and kidney disease more effectively. MRM Proteomics is a CRO which specializes in the quantification of proteins in complex biological fluids such as blood and urine using Multiple Reaction Monitoring-Mass Spectrometry (MRM-MS). The companies PeptiQuant™ MRM assays for example allow for the absolute quantification of hundreds of proteins at a time from a single drop of blood. As part of the collaboration, the PROOF Centre’s computational pipeline will be applied to guide the experimental design, and data quality control and analysis needed for the identification of protein signatures that can be used with other molecular signals to indicate heart, lung, and kidney disease. The PROOF Centre will also support the analysis process from front-end experimental design to downstream

statistical and biological analysis. “Our organizations’ offerings are clearly complementary in the field of protein biomarker discovery and validation.” said Andrew Munk, president and CEO of MRM Proteomics. “The discovery, validation and implementation of biosignatures are complex processes. Partnering with the PROOF Centre will provide our customers with access to the PROOF Centre’s internationally recognized computational tools and capabilities to optimize the design and analysis of their mass spec based proteomic biomarker studies.” To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=255

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Laboratory Focus November 2012

NEWS

Dr. Michael Hill

FIRST SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL TRIAL TO PROTECT THE BRAIN FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY STROKE

A team of Canadian scientists and clinicians, led by Dr. Michael Hill of the Calgary Stroke Program at Foothills Medical Centre and University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI), have demonstrated that a neuroprotectant drug, developed at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, located at the Toronto Western Hospital, protects the human brain against the damaging effects of stroke. The study, “Safety and efficacy of NA-1 for neuroprotection in iatrogenic stroke after endovascular aneurysm repair: a randomized controlled trial,” published in The Lancet Neurology, was conducted concurrently with a laboratory study published in Science Translational Medicine, that predicted the benefits of the stroke drug. This landmark clinical trial was a randomized, double blinded, multi-centre trial that was conducted in Canada and the U.S. The study evaluated the effectiveness of NA-1[TatNR2B9c] when it was administered after the onset of small strokes that are incurred by patients who undergo neurointerventional procedures to repair brain aneurysms. This type of small ischemic stroke occurs in over 90 per cent of aneurysm patients after such a procedure, but usually does not cause overt neurological disability.

In the clinical trial, patients were randomized to receive either Tat-NR2B9c or placebo. Those treated with Tat-NR2B9c showed a reduction in the amount of brain damage sustained as a result of the aneurysm repair procedure. Also, in patients who had ruptured brain aneurysm, which comprise a population of patients at very high risk of neurological damage, those treated with Tat-NR2B9c all had good neurological outcomes, whereas only 68 per cent of those treated with placebo had good outcomes. “The results of this clinical trial represent a major leap forward for stroke research,” said Dr. Hill. “There have been

over 1,000 attempts to develop such drugs, which have failed to make the leap between success in the lab and in humans.” “This clinical trial is, to our knowledge, the first time that a drug aimed at increasing the resistance of the brain to stroke has been shown to reduce stroke damage in humans. No efforts should be spared to develop it further,” said Dr. Michael Tymianski, who oversaw the development of TatNR2B9c from its invention in his lab, through to clinical trials. Currently, t-PA is the only widely approved acute stroke therapy. It works by unblocking the arteries to the brain. However, this treatment is only beneficial for a portion of stroke victims. It also has serious potential for side-effects, including bleeding in the brain. “Through our lab research and clinical trial, we now have a better method of predicting whether a stroke drug may be effective in humans and we now have the evidence that there is a neuroprotectant that can prevent damage in the brain caused by reduced blood flow,” said Dr. Tymianski, inventor of NA-1 and one of the study’s authors. “The benefits of this can be explored not only for stroke, but for other conditions such as vascular dementia.” To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=287

A Simon Fraser University physicist has helped discover that understanding how a chemical mark on our DNA affects gene expression could be as useful to scientists as fingerprints are to police at a crime scene. Eldon Emberly along with colleagues at the University of British Columbia and Standford University cited proof that variable methylation, a chemical mark on our DNA, is predictive of age, gender, stress, cancer and early-life socioeconomic status within a population. DNA that is methylated in our genomes is known to affect whether genes are turned on or off. Gene expression predicates several attributes linked to our identity, such as gender, ethnicity, age and health. Emberly and his colleagues measured methylation from DNA in the white blood cells of 92 people aged 24 to 45. Emberly’s lab helped to mine the resulting data sets for correlations between variation in the chemical mark and variable social, psychological and physical traits in the subjects. The results demonstrated that those who had experienced childhood poverty had a different methylation level from those who hadn’t. This was despite the fact everyone in the cohort had achieved the same socioeconomic status later in life. That meant that early-life environment had left a detect-

Eldon Emberly

TYING OUR FATE TO MOLECULAR MARKINGS

able molecular mark on an individual’s DNA. The correlation between methylation and gene expression was complex because it wasn’t always predictable but there was one connection of particular note says Emberly. “Variable methylation correlated with variable expression of the gene DDX4, which is linked to certain cancers.” Emberly says this study’s discoveries raise interesting questions, as the connection between methylation and some traits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, was weaker than expected or non-existent. “We’re now investigating whether methylation variation in different types of tissue is more predictive of some trait,” adds Emberly. Pau Farre, a master’s of science student in physics under Emberly’s supervision, is doing a statistical analysis of the variability in methylation across tissues. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus. ca/?p=258

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APPOINTMENTS

Qu Biologics announces the appointment of Dr. Julia Levy to its board of directors where she joins chairman Dr. Hal Gunn, and directors, Dr. Simon Sutcliffe and Mr. Robert Freeman. Dr. Levy first became involved with Qu Biologics as a member of its scientific advisory board in April 2011 and subsequently as an investor. As coinventor of Visudyne and co-founder of QLT, Dr. Levy served in several key senior positions at the company including chief scientific officer as well as president and CEO. Dr. Levy has earned numerous awards and honours including an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, the Female Entrepreneur of the Year for International Business, Pacific Canada Entrepreneur of the Year and the Future of Vision Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness. In 2002 she received, along with Dr. David Dolphin, the Friesen-Rygiel prize for medical research and the Prix Galien Canada research award. In her honour, the Julia G. Levy Professorship in Ophthalmology Chair was created at John Hopkins Hospital Wilmer Eye Institute in 2004, the same year she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BC Biotechnology Association. In 2009, the province of BC permanently endowed the Julia Levy B.C. Leadership Chair in Macular Research at the University of British Columbia (U.B.C.) in partnership with U.B.C. and QLT.

ploratory Science and Technology Team. While at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada’s national health research agency, Dr. Brener created CIHR’s inaugural Commercialization and Innovation Strategy, and introduced novel initiatives (e.g., Proof of Principle; Science to Business) as well as collaborative opportunities involving academic research efforts with the multi-national pharmaceutical and the emerging biotechnology communities (e.g. CIHR/ SME Research Program). Some of his other activities within the life science sector have included: board member of Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) as well as the Pfizer/CDRD Program (CDRD: Centre for Drug Research and Development); as a member of the vaccine industry committee of BioteCanada and the Vaccine task force of Rx&D, the Canadian Arthritis Network commercialization committee, the Canadian Centre for Regenerative Medicine commercialization committee and overseeing strategic implementation of OBEST for OBIO (OBIO: Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization; OBEST: Ontario Bioscience Economic Strategy Team). Dr. Brener holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from McGill University and received his post-doctoral training at the National Research Council of Canada where he was a Visiting Fellow and research associate before entering the private sector.

Dr. David Brener joins the PROOF Centre of Excellence man-

Jamil Hantash joins PharmaNet/ i3 as director of immunochemistry operations. Hantash brings a wealth of operational and scientific experience in large molecule bioanalysis. For the last 12 years, he served in senior laboratory management positions at other leading contract research organizations. At PharmaNet/i3, Hantash will manage laboratory operations related to macromolecule analysis.

agement team as chief business development officer. Dr. Brener has more than 30 years of senior experience including start-ups, multinational enterprises, contract research organizations, academia and government. Prior to his current role, Dr. Brener was director of R&D Alliances for Pfizer in Canada and a member of Pfizer World Ex-

The BC Cancer Agency names internationally-renowned oncologist Dr. Max Coppes as its new president. Prior to joining the BC Cancer Agency, Coppes served as senior vice-president at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where he led the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. After completing his medical degree, Coppes trained in the Netherlands, Paris, Toronto and Cleveland before transitioning to medical administration at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. He spent 13

years in Calgary and became a Canadian citizen along the way. While there, Coppes also earned a Master of Business Administration at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. In addition to his new role, Coppes will continue to teach and practice medicine in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announces the appointment of Dr. Alan Tuchman to the role of chief medical officer and senior vice president, clinical and medical development. Throughout his medical career, he has held numerous academic and administration positions at a variety of medical schools in the New York area and is currently clinical professor of neurology at the New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, and engaged in the private practice of neurology. Dr. Tuchman has staff privileges at the Montefiore Medical Centre, where he is the Attending, department of neurology. Previous to this, he spent almost four years as a sell-side analyst with Oscar Gruss & Son, advancing to the role of senior vice president, equity research. Subsequently he was a principal at Xmark Funds, a biotech investment fund. Today he is a managing director at MedPro Investors LLP, an angel investment group focused on biotech companies and chairman of Neurophysics Inc., a developer of non-invasive medical devices. He has served on the company’s scientific advisory board and been a consultant to Oncolytics since 2001. Dr. Tuchman has a B.S. from the City College of New York, an M.D. from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, as well as an MBA from Columbia University, School of Business. Genome Canada announces the appointment of Lorne Hepworth as the new chair of its the board of directors. Since 1997, Hepworth has served as president of CropLife Canada, the trade association representing developers, manufacturers and distributors of plant science innovations for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings. He has been a member of the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council, the federal government’s Pest Management advisory committee and National Biotechnology advisory committee. He is currently a board member with CARE Canada and the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) scientific advisory committee. He

has been a director of Genome Canada’s board since June 2010. A graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (1971), Hepworth was a practicing veterinarian in Alberta and Saskatchewan until 1982, when he was elected to Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly for the Constituency of Weyburn. He subsequently served nine years in Cabinet, during which time he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Education, Finance, and Energy and Mines. From 1993 to 1997, he held several executive positions with the Canadian Agra group of companies. While there, he also led the development of the International Division’s Agricultural Project in the People’s Republic of China. Pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing services provider Patheon Inc. announces it has appointed Harry Gill to the position of senior vice president, quality and continuous improvement. Gill joined Patheon in 2010. He has over 25 years’ experience in quality, plant operations, technical services and operational excellence. Methanex Corp. announces it has appointed John Floren, currently senior vice president, global marketing & logistics, to president and CEO, effective January 1, 2013. Current president and CEO Bruce Aitken is retiring from the company, but will remain a member of the board of directors. Floren has been with Methanex since 2000. He has been in his current role as the global head of marketing and logistics for the past seven years. Prior to that, he held several senior management positions with Methanex and has worked in the chemical industry for over 27 years. Bruce Aitken, who spent 21 years with Methanex, served as president and CEO of Methanex since 2004.

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Laboratory Focus November 2012

PHARMA NOTES Biopharmaceutical company Medicago Inc. (Québec, QC), announces the signing of a licensing agreement with Philip Morris Products SA, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc. Under the agreement, Medicago grants PMP an exclusive license to develop, commercialize and manufacture Medicago’s pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines for China. In addition, Medicago has signed an exclusive, worldwide license for a portfolio of plant-based protein development technologies from PMP. Medicago will receive an upfront payment of US$4.5 million from PMP. In addition, Medicago is eligible to receive development milestone payments totalling US$7.5 million, as well as royalty payments on any future sales of pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines by PMP in China which utilize the Medicago technologies. Medicure Inc. (Winnipeg, MB) announces its intention to file a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the high dose bolus (HDB) dosing regimen of AGGRASTAT® (tirofiban HCl). The company also announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted its request for a waiver of the US $979,400 application fee for the planned sNDA. The planned sNDA submission is to request the addition of the AGGRASTAT HDB regimen (an initial bolus of 25 mcg/kg and then continued at 0.15 mcg/kg/min) to the approved prescribing information for AGGRASTAT. The rationale for the AGGRASTAT HDB regimen is to attain therapeutic platelet inhibition more rapidly than the currently approved dosing regimen (an initial rate of 0.4 mcg/kg/min for 30 minutes and then continued at 0.1 mcg/kg/min). The company anticipates filing the sNDA before the end of calendar 2012. The European patent office has granted a patent to Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (Québec, QC) for the use of the ghrelin agonist, AEZS130, related to methods and

kits for use in relation to the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in a human or animal subject. Filed on Feb. 19, 2007, the patent titled, “Methods and Kits to Diagnose Growth Hormone Deficiency”, was effective as of Sept. 19, 2012, following its announcement in the European Patent Bulletin, and will expire on Feb. 19, 2027. A similar patent has already been granted in the U.S. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Montréal, QC) has acquired Visudyne®, used to treat abnormal growth of leaky blood vessels in the eye caused by wet age-related macular degeneration, from QLT Inc. (Vancouver, BC). Valeant paid $62.5 million upfront for all U.S. rights and available inventories for Visudyne, which had U.S. revenue of approximately $21 million in 2011, and another $50 million upfront for rights to non-US royalties on Visudyne sales, which were approximately $14 million in 2011. Valeant has also agreed to pay an additional $5 million in contingent payments relating to the development of QLT’s laser program in the U.S. and up to $15 million

in contingent payments relating to the non-U.S. royalties. Paladin Labs Inc. (St. Laurent, QC) has entered into a licensing agreement with QRxPharma Ltd., an Australian-based specialty pharmaceutical company, receiving the exclusive rights to market and sell MOXDUO® in Canada. MOXDUO is a novel, patented, immediate release, fixed dose formulation of morphine and oxycodone for the treatment of acute pain. Under the terms of this agreement, Paladin will pay US$500,000 upfront and provide a series of potential sales performance, regulatory and reimbursement milestone payments that can total up to US$25 million. In addition, Paladin will pay a series of tiered double-digit royalties on sales of MOXDUO® in Canada. Immunovaccine Inc. (Halifax, NS) announces positive interim results from its Phase 1 clinical trial of DPX-Survivac, an ovarian cancer vaccine candidate. The ongoing Phase 1 study is evaluating the potency, safety and tolerability of DPX-Survivac alone or in combination with low dose

oral cyclophosphamide. Interim results showed that, to date, all nine patients receiving DPX-Survivac in combination with cyclophosphamide produced a targeted immune response following only one or two vaccine administrations. Patients receiving a higher dose (0.5 mL) of DPX-Survivac in combination with cyclophosphamide (n=3) produced immune responses after only one vaccination and generally exhibited higher antigen specific immunity than those receiving the combination with a lower (0.1 mL) DPX-Survivac dose (n=6), suggesting doserelated activity. Importantly, patients in the two cohorts experienced consistent immune responses that were detected at two consecutive time points. Final results from the study, including a more extensive safety and immunogenicity analysis of all cohorts, are expected by the end of the year. Boehringer Ingelheim (Burlington, ON) announces it will close its virology research program as the company intends to shift resources toward research targets that show greater likelihood of generating

revenue. The winding down of virology research activities will result in the closure of a research facility in Laval, QC during the first quarter of 2013, and will impact approximately 170 employees. Boehringer’s best-known products in virology are the antivirals Aptivus (tipranavir) and Viramune (nevirapine) which have been on the market for a long time as AIDS treatments. It has also been working on two oral drugs for hepatitis C, namely BI 201335, an NS3/4A protease inhibitor in Phase 3 and BI 207127, an NS5B RNA-dependent polymerase inhibitor in Phase 2. Resverlogix Corp. (Calgary, AB) has initiated an exploratory Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with pre-diabetes mellitus to examine the effects of RVX-208 and ApoA-I production on glucose metabolism. The trial is conducted in collaboration with Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and it will examine insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and other parameters of importance in individuals with pre-diabetes mellitus. Twenty patients will be enrolled in Australia, with data expected in the first half of 2014.

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FEATURE

BY: DEEPAK M. MISTRY

Sterisonic CO2 / O2 Incubators:

Cell culture solution advantage for Mesenchymal stem cell research Recent advances in stem cell research have highlighted the importance of oxygen as a prime factor amongst the environmental conditions for the in vitro expansion and differentiation of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Studies have suggested that atmospheric oxygen during MSC culturing does more harm than good for the growth of these cells. One such study highlighting the importance of physiological oxygen, specifically for the growth of MSCs is described below:

The Stanford Study – Growth at Physiological Oxygen provides “invivo” environment for culturing Mesenchymal Stem Cells. A recent study by Atkuri et al involved culturing bone marrow derived Mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) in a BD Mosaic hMSC Serum free cell culture environment at either physiological (5 per cent) O2 or atmospheric oxygen (20 per cent) O2 levels in trigas incubators (Panasonic healthcare Company). One of the major findings was that human BM–MSCs grow approximately 30 to 50 per cent faster at physiological oxygen, whereas culturing differentiated cells at atmospheric oxygen levels significantly skews cellular responses, increases risk of DNA damage and alters the gene expression similar to “stress-response expression.” Mimicking “in vivo” conditions in terms of oxygen concentration during stem cell growth is one of the crucial criteria for culturing stem cells. This has proven to be in direct relation to the redox status and optimum cellular metabolism of the cultured stem cells. Oxygen parameter would eventually affect the stability, potential cellular “in vivo” efficacy, and overall productivity of the stem cells. Therefore, the physiological relevance of low O2 tension as an environmental parameter that uniquely benefits mesenchymal stem cells’ expansion and maintenance has been gaining lot of scientific interest in the stem cell research community.

Panasonic Sterisonic GxP Cell culture solution – Ideal for Stem Cell Research

The Panasonic Cell Culture Solution is based on a series of mutually dependent concentric systems working

together to offer the safest, most productive in vitro cell culture environment for stem cell growth.

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Laboratory Focus November 2012

The combination of Sterisonic GxP incubator performance functions permit use with confidence in highvalue cell protocols among hardto-grow cell lines, cells with highly sensitive media and reagents, or protocols that require a strict isolation and decontamination between processes – principal requirements in stem cell culturing!

Panasonic Sterisonic GxP Cell culture solution offers: Increased Productivity Advantage: • Automatically coordinated processes within the Panasonic Sterisonic GxP cell culture incubator work together to maintain optimum invitro conditions of temperature, humidity and CO2 control while arresting contamination. • In applications that require frequent decontamination between processes, the Panasonic Sterisonic GxP yields a significant advantage in productivity. Excellent CO2 Recovery Advantage: • The Panasonic Sterisonic incubator delivers quick recovery and precise CO2 control utilizing a proprietary single-beam, dual detector infrared (IR2) sensor. • Following door openings, full CO2 recovery is achieved within two minutes, without overshoot. Significant GMP/GLP Application Advantage: • With respect to GMP, the incubator includes relational operating systems and safeguards designed to protect the cell culture or cell expressed product, particularly when associated with direct human application such as IVF, stem cells, regenerative tissue processes or autologous cell culture.

FEATURE

• In addition, systems and design of the Sterisonic GxP incubator can support both, clinical and non-clinical applications, starting with research and leading into development, manufacturing and quality control. Faster Turnaround + Complete Decontamination Advantage: • When complete decontamination is required, the Sterisonic H2O2 sequence offers a cost-effective, timesaving advantage over competitive models using high heat or conventional decontamination. Optimum Control Advantage: • The Patented Direct heat and air jacket system temperature control for accurate, uniform temperature control and inCu-saFe® for continuous contamination control. • Panasonic incubators also feature selected SafeCell UV with exclusive patented Active Background Contamination Control.

A former molecular biologist from the University of Chicago, Deepak M. Mistry has been with Panasonic for over eight years. Earning a BS in biology from the University of Chicago with numerous accolades and honors for scientific excellence, Deepak Mistry has worked in various positions within the life and biopharmaceutical industry with experience in strategic marketing, product development and rationalization. He holds four patents across various life science studies on pharmaceutical, biochemistry and clinical research. In his current role at Panasonic Healthcare Company of North America, Mr. Mistry is responsible for managing strategic and

core marketing efforts for current and future products, analyzing new market opportunities, and creating strategic initiatives in developing a unified global marketing

approach and marketing segmentation of new emerging markets. To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=310

November 2012 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

FEATURE

2012

COMPILED BY SHAWN LAWRENCE

Readers’ Choice

Awards LABORATORY FOCUS IS PLEASED TO BRING YOU its ninth annual readers’ choice awards celebrating the best products, tools and materials used in research laboratories. With the aim of finding out what our readers use in their labs, we asked 10 product-and-resource related questions. And for humour’s sake we also included one bonus question where you get to tell us your favourite lab jokes. Once again, our readers came through offering up a remarkable cross-section of answers and we’d like to thank you all for the great feedback. So, let’s take a look and see what you, our readers had to say!

MOST RELIABLE INSTRUMENT

Laboratory Product companies are always striving to build a reputation with consumers for producing the most reliable laboratory equipment and consumables. In tallying our votes, our readers stressed the importance of centrifuges in their daily work and the importance of choosing a reliable brand. Garnering the most votes in this category as such was Beckman Coulter’s line of centrifuges (ultracentrifuges, high performance, table top refrigerated and general purpose). Further evidence Beckman Coulter is a name that laboratories in Canada have grown to trust, another Beckman product, the ACT 5Diff also received its fair share of attention. Other top vote getters for reliability included several HPLC systems from Agilent, Shimadzu and Waters. Likewise, Eppendorf for its pipettes and thermocyclers and Zeiss for its operating microscopes.

Introducing Ti-Touch for routine titrations.

• Burette, stirrer and full-color touch control all in a single, tiny footprint

• No-Touch reagent exchange on Karl Fischer models for maximum safety

• Networking, remote printing and paperless PDFs – no PC needed!

• Hundreds of pre-programmed methods included

• Direct access to 14 methods and common functions

www.metrohmusa.com

866-METROHM (638-7646)

Here’s proof that big things do come in small packages

November 2012 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

FEATURE

BEST TECH SUPPORT From time to time issues arise while using lab instruments that require a professional opinion to navigate through. This is where responsive tech services and support departments come into play. For many, good service and tech support is no less as important as the reliability of the product itself. In past years, companies such as Waters Inc., Beckman Coulter Canada Inc. and Agilent Technologies and Thermo Fisher have stood out, but in 2012, there is a new champion for this category. By a decisive margin, Bio-Rad Life Science was credited with providing the top tech support.

MOST USER FRIENDLY EQUIPMENT When it comes to lab equipment that is easy to use, electronic pipettes are usually the popular choices. But as more and more products in R&D labs become more automated, votes in the category are becoming more diverse. For example, unlike last year where electronic pipettes were the popular choice, the Siemens Dimension® EXL™ 200 integrated chemistry system garnered the most votes, while the Metrohm 905 Titrando finished runner up for this category. Likewise, there was little mention of Eppendorf’s line of pipettes, but the company did get quite a few votes for its PCR Mastercycler nexus and its family of microcentrifuges. Other brands such as Perkin Elmer, Hach and Thermo Fisher also received votes in this category.

MUST HAVE CONSUMABLES: KIT OR PRODUCT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT This list included generic items such as water, vials, disposable gloves, glassware and sample containers, and in terms of products, particular brands were not named but spectrometers, refractometers, digital pipettes and centrifuges were all considered necessary to performing work in the lab. A few votes were also given to Apiezon for its range of high vacuum greases. In terms of kits, Roche’s PCR cleanup kit and Life Technologies/ Invitrogen ELISA test kits scored highly in the voting.

TELL US ABOUT THE BEST EQUIPMENT UNDER $20,000 The Thermo Scientific NanoDrop 2000 and NanoDrop™ 2000c continues to score highly amongst our readers for best equipment under $20,000. This system allows scientists to quickly and easily quantify and assess purity of samples such as proteins and nucleic acids, and broke a Waters UV-Vis HPLC detector three year run as the product our readers felt packs the best bang for its buck. Other vote getters included Perkin Elmer’s LabChip XT fractionation system for automated nucleic acid fractionation and BioRad for its PCR machines and systems, including the CFX384.

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Laboratory Focus November 2012

FEATURE MOST WORTHWHILE SPLURGE, INSTRUMENTS OVER $100,000 When it comes to pricey lab equipment and instruments, our readers made one thing perfectly clear — sometimes the cost is just too high. That said, if they had deep pockets from which to spend, Shimadzu Corporation’s GCMS-TQ8030 ultra-fast triple quadrupole gas chromatograph mass spectrometer would be their must buy. Launched in May of this year, the GCMS-TQ8030 features

powerful capability in terms of both high sensitivity and ultrafast performance, enabling trace analysis at the

ppt (parts per trillion) level. Additionally, the Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-5000 Reagent-Free™ HPIC™ system

was singled out as a worthwhile purchase, as was the Affymetrix GeneAtlas® Personal Microarray System.

Honourable mention goes to Hach company’s Lachat QuikChem® 8500 Series 2 Flow Injection Analysis System.

ANNOUNCING

An Incredible New Partnership We are pleased to announce that Mandel Scientific has entered into a partnership with Wyvern Scientific to distribute their products in Canada, including: MOST VALUABLE ONLINE RESOURCE When lab researchers need information on the go, the site they are most likely to turn to is PubMed. Other vote getters included SciFinder, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, and of course Google. Our readers also cited several chat forums, and when deciding on what products to buy, they say online vendor catalogues are the way to go.

•

Replacement Water Purification Cartridges (*Millipore and Barnstead Systems)

•

Syringe Filters - All Varieties

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Glass Microfiber Filters (934-AH ®)

•

Cellulose Filter Paper

•

MCE Membranes

•

Extraction Thimbles

Quality Products for Your Lab at Affordable Prices! Our Filtration Products are Designed, Manufactured and Certified in Accordance with ISO 9001 *Barnstead and Millipore are trademarks of Thermo Fisher Corporation and Millipore Corporation respectively and are used for identification purposes

www.mandel.ca 1-888-883-3636 info@mandel.ca

November 2012 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

FEATURE EQUIPMENT OR PRODUCT THAT GENERATES THE BEST WORD-OF-MOUTH BUZZ There was certainly a lot of buzz amongst our readers for Waters® ACQUITY UPC2™ System. Not only did this product take top prize in this category, but earlier this year, this product won the Pittcon Editors’ Gold Award at the 2012 Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy. Branding itself in a new category of separations science, the technology can separate, detect and quantify structural analogs, isomers, enantiomeric and diasteriomeric mixtures, all compounds or samples. Other Pittcon winners, Bruker’s SCION TQ triple quadrupole GC/MS instrument and Protea Biosciences DP1000 direct ion source for mass spectrometry also garnered votes, but it was Canada’s own Scott Tanner and his company DVS Sciences that finished in the runner-up position with its CyTOF® system. The system is already enabling new insights into the functional complexity of biological systems at the single cell level and a recent example published in Science describes how the technology was used with an immunophenotyping panel of 31 labeled antibodies to provide a uniquely detailed view of cell differentiation in the human hematopoietic system.

BEST TIME-SAVING INSTRUMENT, PRODUCT OR LAB TIP This category was a mixed bag, with responses that included both a variety of lab tips and some time-saving instruments. It was in this category that our readers really focused their attention on pipettes in terms of time-saving products, with BrandHandyStep, Eppendorf and Gilson electronic pipettes being selected. In terms of lab tips, there were a number of common sense recommendations made such as doing difficult jobs early in the day, keeping your lab space clean and organized, and choosing lab products that help you get more information in a single short run as opposed to multiple runs. Essentially, purchase products that are more efficient.

FAVOURITE LAB CLEAN-UP TIP Laboratory Focus received so many valuable responses to this question, we figured we’d just go ahead and offer up a handful: 1. Use lots of bench coats 2. Use a bench liner 3. Buy disposable paper towels from a cleaning supply company rather than a laboratory supply company and use disposable labwares 4. With liquids always work close to lab wash basin, use magic eraser for instrument cleaning 5. Important to provide the lab with efficient waste removal systems, along with a good broom, bucket and mop

BONUS QUESTION: TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE LAB JOKE 1. A sodium ion tells a sodium atom “I think I’ve lost and electron.” The atom asks, “Are you positive?” 2. Why did the centrifuge feel faint? Because its head was spinning. 3. What is the fastest way to determine the sex of a chromosome? Pull down its genes. 4. What does PhD stand for? Permanent head damage. 5. Lab joke? Are you sure that isn’t an oxymoron? We’d like to thank all our readers who took time out of their day to take part in our 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards Survey. If you have any suggestions for our 2013 Readers’ Choice Survey, please contact us by email at laboratory_focus@promotive.net.

To see this story online visit www.laboratoryfocus.ca/?p=346

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Laboratory Focus November 2012

NEW PRODUCTS

Protein Characterization The new Zetasizer Nano ZSP from Malvern Instruments is a high specification dynamic light scattering system that delivers unique protein characterization capabilities in a single, easy to use instrument. This top-of-the-range addition to Malvern’s established Zetasizer Nano family enables highly sensitive measurement of zeta potential, for rapid, reliable measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of proteins, and subsequent calculation of the key parameter of protein charge. The Zetasizer Nano ZSP requires only 20 microliters of sample and measures at concentrations down to one mg/mL. A suite of protein calculators has been added as part of the software developments that accompany the launch of the Zetasizer Nano ZSP, which are included with the instrument as standard. These include a dynamic DLS Debye Plot which allows calculation of the DLS interaction parameter, especially useful in protein formulation for biological therapeutics. There is also the ability to calculate protein charge from protein mobility, F(ka) from the Henry equation, interparticle distance, and thermodynamic diameter (virial radius).

Web: www.malvern.com/nano-zsp

Pumps The Cavro Centris Pump from Tecan is now available with a range of glass syringes and plastic valves to complement the existing portfolio of long-life ceramic components. These new options provide customers with a greater choice of materials to suit their instrument design, bringing the advanced features of the Cavro Centris Pump to a wider range of precision liquid handling applications. The Cavro Centris Pump is a compact, UL-recognized syringe pump module for use in OEM laboratory instruments. Offering exceptional liquid handling characteristics, with flow rates from 5 nl/s up to 5 ml/s, it sets new industry standards for accuracy, reliability and precision.

Web: www.tecan.com/cavropumps

Extruder Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. launches its Thermo Scientific Pharma 11 parallel co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The 11 mm extruder is designed for pharmaceutical applications including reducing material costs, making the device easier to use and optimizing lab space. The benchtop Pharma 11 uses a minimal amount of sample material (20 g) and features a user-friendly touchscreen with integrated feeder control. For the first time, the Pharma 11 offers a complete strandline, containing air-cooled conveyor belt and adjustable pelletizer, all with the convenient footprint of a standard fumehood. The new extruder features a throughput of 20 g/h to 2.5 kg/h and is easily convertible from hot melt extrusion (HME) to twin screw granulation (TSG) applications. Ideal for a wide variety of drug development applications, including drug delivery systems, implants, tablets and granules.

Web: www.thermoscientific.com

Spectrometer The combined FT-IR spectrometer/rheometer introduced by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides a powerful analytical workstation for quickly optimizing the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. This Thermo Scientific Rheonaut module enables the Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS III rheometer to be coupled with either a Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 or Nicolet™ iS™50 FT-IR spectrometer to help researchers easily identify and quantify changes in product properties. The Rheonaut module was developed as a piece of analytical equipment by Resultec in Illerkirchberg, Germany, for exclusive resale by Thermo Fisher Scientific. The new spectrometer/rheometer features a rapid multi-technique assessment that is deployed in under 60 seconds for fast-changing samples. The seamless coupling of the instruments enables identical sample and simultaneous test conditions, as well as reliable correlation of results.

Web: www.thermoscientific.com

Pipettes Eppendorf presents its new electronic pipette Eppendorf Xplorer plus®. The intuitive operating concept and ergonomic display of the Xplorer sets new standards in simplicity, precision and reproducibility. The Eppendorf Xplorer is specially designed for users working with complex or long pipetting series requiring the utmost in exact setting of parameters, maximum reproducibility and low operating force. Now with the release of the Xplorer plus there are additional intelligent applications, adjustable fixed-volumes, and individual programming tasks are performed much faster and easier. The Xplorer plus also includes a history function that automatically saves the last parameters for faster handling. A password can be entered to guarantee the highest degree of protection for personal programming and settings. These features mean no more delays due to complicated programming or inflexible processes. Instead, get precisely adjustable parameters, maximum reproducible results, fatigue-free work and consistent, full control over the pipetting processes.

Web: www.eppendorf.com/xplorer

Mills Retsch Cyclone Mills are ideally suited for temperaturesensitive samples and the grinding of solids depending on the material properties. The rotation of the mill’s rotor or a connected vacuum cleaner produces a rotating air flow inside the cyclone, thus optimizing the air throughput. As a result, sample and grinding tools are cooled and material discharge is improved. These effects are particularly beneficial when grinding temperature-sensitive materials. Further advantages are the complete recovery of the sample material as well as the possibility to process larger sample volumes. Retsch line of laboratory mills includes various models which can be equipped with a cyclone. Whereas the rotor mill TWISTER has an integrated cyclone, the Ultra Centrifugal Mill ZM 200 can be optionally equipped with a cyclone and collecting vessels of various sizes.

Web: www.retsch.com

NEW PRODUCTS V3 Western Workflow Streamline your western blotting protocol with the new V3 Western Workflow from BioRad. The V3 Western Workflow combines traditional techniques with the latest advances in protein electrophoresis, transfer, and imaging. The complete V3 workflow incorporates traditional blotting techniques with innovative tools, such as TGX Stain-Free™ precast gels, the Trans-Blot® Turbo™ system, and the ChemiDoc™ MP imager, to quickly check electrophoresis results and blot transfer quality prior to western blotting, simplifying total protein quantitation analysis post-immunodetection to obtain results faster. Visual checkpoints enabled by stain-free technology are built into each step to ensure confidence in the quality of your results and a simplified total protein normalization method provides more accurate quantitative results. The V3 Western Workflow offers high quality separation of proteins in as little as 15 minutes and protein transfer in as little as three minutes.

Web: www.bio-rad.com

Benchtop meter Mettler Toledo introduces its SevenExcellence™ benchtop meter for measurements of pH, conductivity, ion concentration or ORP (oxidation reduction potential). SevenExcellence is a modular instrument that measures one, two or three channels in parallel. Operation is intuitive thanks to its unique seven-inch touch screen and its ingenious guided interface. These new meters fulfill requirements in multiple industries in a wide range of workplaces. Its flexible methods effectively manage complex applications and the stringent requirements of regulated markets. SevenExcellence also provides efficiency in routine lab work thanks to its high degree of automation and sophisticated connectivity, and is available in various convenient and ready-to-use kits, most of them adapted to certain industries’ needs.

Web: www.mt.com

Vacuum pumps Edwards’ introduces its nEXT turbomolecular vacuum pumps. Equipped with a state of the art rotor design, nEXT is meant for applications such as high energy physics and particle accelerators in a compact size. Designed with minimum maintenance requirement and maximum reliability and user serviceability in mind, the complete nEXT bearing mechanism can be serviced quickly and simply in the field thereby significantly reducing the overall cost of ownership. Despite very low power requirements, nEXT achieves standard nitrogen pumping speeds for its size - at up to 400 litres per second.

Web: www.edwardsvacuum.com/next

November 2012 Laboratory Focus www.laboratoryfocus.ca

Chromatography system

Metrohm’s new Combustion Ion Chromatograph (CIC) automates the determination of halogens and sulfur in fuels, lubricants, additives, other petroleum products, polymers, flame retardants, textiles, special chemicals, catalysts and waste. CIC complies with environmental requirements, including DIN, EN, IEC, RoHS, WEEE and more. The flame sensor technology measures the intensity of light from the pyrolysis oven during combustion, controls the feed rate of the sample boat and prevents soot formation. Different matrices & sample quantities are automatically combusted by one universal method - prior knowledge about the sample is unnecessary. This method surpasses offline digestion by providing better sample throughput, accuracy and precision. The system’s unique 2-in-1 autosampler can run both solid and liquid samples by simply changing the sample head.

www.metrohmna.com

COMPANY & ADVERTISER INDEX COMPANY

PAGE

WEBSITE

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. ......................... 7................... www.aeternazentaris.com Baxter International Inc....................... 2................................... www.baxter.ca BC Cancer Agency.............................. 6........................... www.bccancer.bc.ca Boehringer Ingelheim.......................... 7.............. www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca Caledon Laboratory Chemicals.......... 5......................www.caledonlabs.com Canadian Society for.................................................................................... Chemical Technology......................... 4.....................www.chem-tech.ca/cct Dalton Pharma Services...................... 3.................................www.dalton.com Edwards........................................... 16................. www.edwardsvacuum.com Eppendorf..................................... 15, 20.................... www.eppendorf.com Genome Canada.................................. 6....................... www.genomecanada.ca Immunovaccine Inc.............................. 7............................www.imvaccine.com Malvern Instruments......................... 15............................. www.malvern.com Medicago Inc...................................... 7............................ www.medicago.com Medicure Inc...................................... 7............................ www.medicure.com Methanex Corp.................................. 6............................www.methanex.com Metrohm...................................... 11, 16.................www.metrohmusa.com Mettler Toledo.................................. 16.....................................www.mt.com Miele Professional............................ 7............... www.mieleprofessional.ca Millipore......................................... 19......................... www.millipore.com Oncolytics Biotech Inc......................... 6.................www.oncolyticsbiotech.com Patheon Inc........................................ 6.............................. www.patheon.com PharmaNet/i3..................................... 6...................... www.pharmanet-i3.com Qu Biologics....................................... 6.......................... www.qubiologics.com Resverlogix Corp................................ 7..........................www.resverlogix.com Retsch............................................. 15............................... www.retsch.com Tecan................................................ 15................................ www.tecan.com Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc................ 15................. www.thermoscientific.com VWR................................................. 2.................................. www.vwr.com Wyvern Scientific............................ 13...............................www.mandel.ca

www.laboratoryfocus.ca Laboratory Focus

NOVEMBER 2012

November 2012

CALENDAR

December 15-19

ASCB 52nd Annual Meeting Venue: San Francisco, CA Canadian Science Policy Tel: 301-347-9300 Conference 2012 Fax: 301-347-9310 Venue: Calgary, AB Email: ascbinfo@ascb.org Tel: 613-226-8317 Web: www.ascb.org Fax: 613-722-7725 RC_lab_new:Layout 1 1/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 1 Email: info@cspc2012.ca JANUARY 2013 Web: www.cspc2012.ca

November 5-7

November 6-10 ASHG Annual Meeting Venue: San Francisco, CA Tel: 301-634-7300 Fax: 301-634-7079 Email: paulinem@ashg.org Web: www.ashg.org/

Email: ors@ors.org Web: www.ors.org/

Email: info@pittcon.org Web: www.pittcon.org

MARCH 2013

January 26-29 2013 Annual Meeting of the ORS Venue: San Antonio, TX Tel: 847-823-5770 Fax: 847-823-5772

APRIL 2013

March 17-22

April 20-24

PITTCON 2013: Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy Venue: Philadelphia, PA Phone: 412-825-3220 Fax: 412-825-3224

Experimental Biology 2013 Venue: Boston, MA Phone: 301-634-7075 Fax: 301-634-7008 Email: eb@faseb.org

November 11-14

SRC103

BIO Europe Venue: Hamburg, Germany Web: www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope

November 14-17 MEDICA 2012 Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany Tel: 416-598-1524 Fax: 416-598-1840 Email: messeduesseldorf@ germanchamber.ca Web: www.messe-duesseldorf.de

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2012 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting Venue: Boston, MA Tel: 724-779-3003 Fax: 724-779-8313 Email: hastings@mrs.org Web: www.mrs.org

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November 27-28 Genomics: the Power & the Promise Venue: Ottawa, ON Tel: 613-563-1984 Web: http://genomics powerandpromise.cvent.com

DECEMBER 2012 December 2-4 4th Annual BioPartnering China Venue: Shanghai, China Web: http://www.techvision.com/bpc/

December 3-4 BioFIT 2012: Fostering Innovation & Transfer Venue: Lille, France Web: http://www.biofit-event.com/

December 3-5 Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit Venue: Ottawa, ON Tel: 613-594-5528, ext 223 Email: d.elson@greenfuels.org Web: http://greenfuels.org/en/ industry-information/summit.aspx

December 10-11 FDA/CMS Summit Venue: Washington, DC Tel: (800) 332-2181 Email: custcare@elsevier.com Web: http://www.elsevierbi.com/ mkt/Conf/FDA-CMS/2012

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CAREER SPOTLIGHT Bio-economy Career Profile

Check us out! November is upon us, and with it comes the exciting news of the launch of our new website www.laboratoryfocus.ca! For years now, you’ve known Laboratory Focus exclusively as a print magazine through and through. We’ve been working hard to bring you a website with the same high-quality coverage of Canada’s lab market as we do in our print magazine, which will continue to be published on a bi-monthly basis. As Canada’s leading editorial-based lab publication, we wanted to make our content more accessible, to better give readers the latest in technology updates through application and tech notes, as well as giving you a spot you can go to for all of Canada’s lab news. With our new website, we’re entering the digital world to offer you a more interactive reading experience. Our recently launched site offers readers up-to-date news on innovations, developments and new products in the industry, as well as major awards and funding opportunities and web-exclusive content. We provide you with insightful articles looking at the trends in laboratories across Canada, as well as lab safety features. The new website has a simple, user-friendly theme, along with user-interest categories of Pharmaceutical, Clinical, Chemical, Food and Environment. Also available on the new website are the latest digital editions of the print magazine, and archived editions of previous Laboratory Focus issues. An important part of our new site is our section devoted to new products. We’re featuring a variety of the latest and most innovative laboratory products available in Canada, similar to our “New Products” section in the print magazine. Web visitors can find out about the latest news by signing up for updates from Laboratory Focus, which provides you with our latest stories and up-to-the-minute industry news. We have entered a new era here at Laboratory Focus, and are excited to share our new website with you. We hope you take a chance to check us out online at www.laboratoryfocus.ca. Happy November!

Compiled by BioTalent Canada Position: Senior Clinical Research Associate Name: Brenda Nolf Company: Organon Pharmaceuticals Salary Range: CRA $44,000 to $63,000 per year Senior CRA $71,000 to $82,000 per year

What I do:

I’m the sponsor representative who recruits doctors to recruit patients for studies. I ensure doctors are compliant with following the protocol, ensuring safety for patients and reviewing the data to make sure it’s accurate and correct. Most of my time is spent on a computer, either e-mailing or doing data monitoring. The rest of my day is spent doing document review, communicating with the investigative study group, and making sure that all of the work is compliant with good clinical practice. I travel between 75 and 90 per cent of the time.

What education and skills do candidates need for this position?

To work in this area, you usually need a science background. I’m a registered nurse by background, and I find it to be quite helpful. In terms of skills, you need to be detail-oriented and have good communications skills. Relationship building is a big necessity when you’re dealing with different sites. Being organized is also important. You also have to be knowledgeable about good clinical practices.

What are the best parts of your job?

The best thing about the job is that I have flexibility. Also, I’m always working on different projects, so once one study finishes, there’s another one that overlaps. It gives you variety and interest. The research is very interesting, and people tend to ask you questions about it when they find out what you do. For instance, we did a study on infertility, and you find out later that people you know have a related issue, and you can answer their questions about it. I had another friend mention something to me about having diabetes; he was sharing the fact he was interested in being part of a study.

Light Up Your Day! Eppendorf BioSpectrometer® With a broad spectrum of applications and extremely simple operation, the new Eppendorf BioSpectrometer redefines the benchmark for spectrometry in modern laboratories. Measure and record UV/VIS spectral ranges or just measure individual wavelengths from 200 nm to 830 nm.

Two different models make it possible to select the optimal instrument for your research: > Eppendorf BioSpectrometer basic™ > Eppendorf BioSpectrometer kinetic™

Laboratory Focus November 2012

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