Compulsory licensing of pharmaceuticals: A solution to high drug prices?
The UK continues to grapple with its departure – or not – from the European Union, and whilst the outcome remains unclear, one thing now seems certain: before long there will be a general...
Why waste plastic bottles are a valuable resource
Dr Timothy Whitehead, Lecturer in Product Design for Low-Income Countries at Aston University, explains how we can add value to waste plastic bottles and how these can be turned into essential products for the...
The Open University – The higher education partner of choice for business
In April 1969, The Open University (OU) received its Royal Charter and the vision of a university that would open up education for all, was finally brought to life – largely due to the...
Bridging the gap between academic learning and on the job skills
The University of Salford’s Environment and Life Science degree apprenticeship programmes are a key area of development. The Biomedical Science degree apprenticeship programme has expanded rapidly over the past couple of years and the...
Life sciences is bucking the trend in providing Venture Capital for female founders
Alice Hu Wagner - Managing Director, Strategy, Economics and Business Development at British Business Bank
Life sciences is one of the most successful sectors in the UK economy and its continued growth is a key...
Plant patentability and the European Patent Office – what is the latest update?
Plant patentability has long been a contentious issue throughout intellectual property and scientific circles.
The question as to whether plants or animals created through essentially biological processes, such as genetic or selective breeding, can be...
Biosimilars and Patents
Leonita Paulraj - Associate, AA Thornton
The majority of the world’s biggest selling medicines can be classified as “biologics” or “biopharmaceuticals”. Such medicines contain one or more biologically active product produced from (or containing components of)...
Relentlessly searching for the cure
Martina Slapkova - Research Information Co-ordinator at the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Motor neuron disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis across the globe, has been puzzling researchers and clinicians ever since it was...
Harnessing pharmacogenomics for better health outcomes
In this issue, we speak to Dr Jerika Lam of the School of Pharmacy at Chapman University, about her work applying pharmacogenomics to antiviral treatments.
“A lot has happened in the field of hepatitis C...
A stay at the Stem Cell Hotel
By Davide Danovi - Director, HipSci Cell Phenotyping Programme, Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London
All cells in our body came from one original cell - a fertilised egg. A blood...
Entangled exploring the influences on brain development
Throughout history, much attention has been paid to the perceived differences between men’s and women’s brains – but are these differences real or imagined?
One scientist overturning the myths of the ‘male’ and ‘female’ brain...
Think you know Harrogate? Think again!
Harrogate and district has a long established reputation as a tourist destination. Mention of Harrogate brings up images of Bettys famous tearooms; of the Tour de Yorkshire; the beautiful parks and gardens.
Spreading out from...
A soft spot for stem cells helps cornea healing
New research led by scientists at Newcastle University, UK reveals a potential revolutionary way to treat eye injuries and prevent blindness - by softening the tissue hosting the stem cells which then helps repair...
Matching clinical trials with unmet clinical need
A new tool that helps target clinical trials to areas of unmet clinical need has sparked interest in both the National Health Service (NHS) and the commercial clinical research world. Stephen Lock, Head of...
Out of this world
The UK Space Agency and NHS England are currently judging ideas for how technology originally designed for space could help solve major health and care challenges facing the NHS.
With up to £4 million available...
UK Supreme Court inflicts more patent pain on Warner-Lambert
Eilidh Pugh, Pharmaceutical Patent Attorney, AdamsonJones.
The UK Supreme Court has handed down its much-anticipated decision in WarnerLambert Company LLC v Generics (UK) Ltd t/a Mylan and Actavis. The case is important because it is the...