Life Sciences/Biotech

Critical Path Consortium Identifies 7 Tests To Monitor Drug Effects On Kidneys

GRAND RAPIDS - The Critical Path Institute Predictive Safety Testing Consortium, which includes Grand Rapids-based ClinXus, has identified seven new tests to assess the safety of new drugs in development, specifically to monitor the drugs' effects on the kidneys. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its equivalent in Europe, the European Medicines Agency, recently

By |2008-08-05T00:00:00-04:00August 5th, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

West Michigan Science & Tech Initiative Renames Membership Group

GRAND RAPIDS - The West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative has expanded its membership program previously known as BioTech Connect. Now it's called Connect2, a collection of more than 100 companies, corporations and organizations. WMSTI officials said the new name was selected to better reflect the wide range of industries served by the program, and

By |2008-08-05T00:00:00-04:00August 5th, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

MichBio Announces Program For 2008 Expo

ANN ARBOR - Bioscience trade association MichBio announced details for its 2008 Expo and Conference at the Rock Financial ShowPlace in Novi this November. "This year's Expo provides a robust schedule of offerings covering two full days for the first time," said MichBio Executive Director, Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D. "We have a number of new programs

By |2008-07-31T00:00:00-04:00July 31st, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

Van Andel Institute Discovery Aids Drug Developers

GRAND RAPIDS - Researchers in the Laboratory of Structural Sciences at Van Andel Institute have determined how the parathyroid hormone, which is currently used to treat osteoporosis, precisely binds to its receptor. Drug developers can use this information to aid in the design of more potent therapies for osteoporosis that lack the undesired side effects

By |2008-07-31T00:00:00-04:00July 31st, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

Michiganders Without Health Insurance Up Slightly

LANSING - The percentage of adults without health insurance in Michigan has increased slightly, but remains below the national average, a report issued by the Department of Community Health said. However, the report also showed that the number of uninsured children in Michigan fell and is far lower than the national average. The report reviewed

By |2008-07-29T00:00:00-04:00July 29th, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

Velcura Therapeutics Adds Ex-Esperion Exec To Board

ANN ARBOR - William Brinkerhoff has joined the Board of Directors at Velcura Therapeutics. Brinkerhoff was vice president of business development for Esperion Therapeutics in Ann Arbor, where he successfully negotiated multiple large potential partnering agreements prior to Esperion's acquisition by Pfizer for $1.3 billion. Velcura just completed a first-in-man clinical trial for VEL-0230, an

By |2008-07-21T00:00:00-04:00July 21st, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|

Perrigo To Invest $10.5 Million To Expand In Michigan

ALLEGAN - Perrigo Company, the world's largest manufacturer of over-the-counter healthcare products sold under the store-brand label, announced Tuesday it will invest $10.5 million to expand its facilities at its world headquarters in Allegan, adding 400 jobs during the next five years. The expansion is aided by tax credits approved today by the State of

By |2008-07-15T00:00:00-04:00July 15th, 2008|Archive, Life Sciences/Biotech|