Polystyrene plates for protein crystallization from Axygen

For protein crystallization work, Axygen has introduced 24-,48- and 96-well flat bottom polystyrene plates, which can be used for hanging drop as well as sitting drop vapor diffusion crystallization experiments. AxyPearl, a high throughput hanging drop vapor diffusion crystallography lid is also available. In the hanging drop experiments, 96-well sitting drop plate can be used in combination with Axypearl. This combination enables 1 sitting and 2 hanging drop experiments to be conducted simultaneously for each of the 96 buffer well. For crystal recognition and imaging, specially designed softwares are available. They are first pattern recognition softwares, which can easily detect the difference between crystal and precipitate, even in difficult and ambiguous cases.
For details, contact: axygen@vsnl.com

Axygen Scientific introduces Axygen BioSciences

Axygen Scientific, a known leader in plastic consumables, has ventured into the arena of genomics and proteomic-Axygen Biosciences, the life sciences division of Axygen. The primary goal of Axygen Biosciences is focused on addressing the requirements of the scientific communities throughout the world by providing innovative genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, and diagnostic tools and technologies.

Its genomic range includes a wide variety of DNA isolation and purification kits, which covers plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, PCR clean up and gel extraction. Each kit includes all buffers, plasticware and instructions required to purify nucleic acids from starting materials. Kits are designed to meet or exceed the performance parameters of comparable products.

Axygen Biosciences is a global leader in discovering protein structures. In proteomics, it offers a series of products and kits for the screening and purification of proteins and peptides. It creates platforms that limit and miniaturize the use of proteins while providing ultimate precision, accuracy, ease of use and integration, speed, and cost efficiencies. By developing unique consumables, reagents, software, and high throughput robotics, it has also addressed challenges faced in all protein crystallography laboratories.

Thermo Fisher Scientific strengthens life sciences portfolio

Thermo Fisher Scientific has acquired a Swiss company, SwissAnalytic Group AG, based in Basel that owns Spectronex AG and Flux Instruments AG, which had combined revenue of approximately $22 million in fiscal year 2006.
Spectronex is a supplier of mass spectrometry, chromatography and surface science instrumentation in Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. As Thermo Fisher Scientific expands its field sales presence in Europe, this acquisition will bring additional direct sales, demonstration capabilities and visibility to customers in these regions.

Flux Instruments is a manufacturer of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pumps and software. Flux brings new technology and design expertise to Thermo Fisher Scientific's current HPLC and LCMS business, which includes the new Thermo Scientific Accela UHPLC as well as advanced sample extraction and liquid chromatography products gained through the recent acquisition of Cohesive Technologies. Flux will enhance the company's product portfolio with complementary technologies and intellectual property for future product development.

Marijn E Dekkers, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, "Flux Instruments is a strong complement to our expanding chromatography and life sciences mass spectrometry product lines. In addition, Spectronex enables Thermo Fisher to strengthen our footprint in Europe with direct sales channels and support, enhancing our ability to work closely with important customers in this area."

Tulip Group diversifies into dehydrated culture media

Goa-based Tulip Group of Companies, an in vitro diagnostics major, has forayed into the manufacturing of Accumix Dehydrated culture media, bases and high technology disinfectants through its division Microxpress and BioShields respectively.

DG Tripathi, director, Tulip Group of Companies, said, "Intense research in both the product groups over the last two years has resulted in the development of world-class products whose quality is comparable to the best, internationally. In a technology segment where only few companies have conserved the know-how, is a breakthrough achievement for the group." He further said, "These two product ranges covering a gamut of over 300 products have a wide application in industrial, medical, hospitality and biotech industry. The products also have a huge export market. The products have already generated excellent review from the users."

Commenting on the market opportunity, he said, "As against the global market size of about $1.2–1.4 billion, the Indian market is about Rs 150-175 crore, growing at a double digit figure."

Gridlogics launches Patent Insight Pro

Pune-based Gridlogics Technologies has launched Patent Insight Pro v2.8.5, an improved versions of its earlier product, with more features to the patent search, management and analytics product. Patent Insight Pro is a patent mining and analytics software product for desktop and enterprise users.

According to a release, the software mines through patents to help researchers analyze technology and competitive trends. Patent Insight Pro helps organizations to identify most active competitors and understand their strategies, identify potential acquirers or licensing opportunities for your in-house IP, identify new application areas for existing IPs, identify patent/company acquisition opportunities, and strengthen current patent portfolio by filling up identified gaps.

Manish Sinha, CTO of Gridlogics, said, "With the new release, we have made Patent Insight Pro blend into the way a patent researcher operates. We know that researchers will find it very easy to use and beginners too will immediately start functioning as professional patent researchers."

Sartorius acquires Toha Plast

Sartorius AG, a laboratory and process equipment provider, has acquired all shares in Toha Plast GmbH effective January 3, 2007. Toha Plast GmbH develops and manufactures plastic components for the medical and biotechnology branches and has been a long-term supplier and development partner to Sartorius in plastics technology including processing of thermoplastics and injection molding. The company has some 75 employees at its location in Goettingen and modern cleanroom production. The contractual parties of this acquisition have agreed to maintain the price of this transaction confidential. In July 2006, Sartorius had already purchased a relatively small Toha Plast production facility in Puerto Rico.

By acquiring Toha Plast, the Sartorius biotechnology division is continuing to expand its technological expertise in the field of plastics. Injection-molded and thermoplastic components are integrated into all disposables supplied by this division, for instance, in filters, disposable bioreactors and disposable fluid handling bags for the pharmaceutical industry.

The acquisition of Toha Plast is a further step for Sartorius in becoming the market leader in the rapidly growing market of disposables for biopharmaceutical production processes.

Praj continues to receive orders from US firms

Praj Industries, the global ethanol technology provider and renewable energy firm, continues to record significant order intake from the US. In the last quarter of 2006 (Oct-Dec), Praj contracted the second phase orders from Cilion for its Imperial County project as also from Missouri Valley Energy for its Meckling, South Dakota project.

While the first phase (orders received earlier) involved supply of technology package, the second phase deals with supply of equipment. Additionally, Praj also received an order for US' first sugarcane-based ethanol project. The aggregate contract value of these orders is in excess of Rs 170 crore, a release said.

The release noted that the Imperial County project is the third project of Praj for the Cilion Group. Cilion will produce 110 mgpy (400 mln litres per annum) ethanol from this facility. The order from Missouri Valley for a 55 mgpy ethanol plant heralds Praj's entry into Corn Farmer's Cooperative Sector in the mid-west of the US.

In another major development, Praj got a breakthrough in the sugarcane belt of the US. Louisiana Green Fuels LLC has awarded a contract to Praj for an integrated 23 mgpy ethanol plant using sugarcane-based feedstocks. This plant will be located at Lacassine, Louisiana, adjacent to an exisiting cane syrup mill.

"In the very first year of entry into the US, Praj has achieved sizeable business resulting into capacity addition in the region of 700 mgpy by way of Praj technology and equipment from many prestigious clients," said Shashank Inamdar, managing director, Praj.