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- Drugmakers collaborate to overcome obstacles in R&D
Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Co., GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Roche Holding unit Genentech and Sanofi will contribute financial resources and personnel to the TransCelerate Biopharma project to overcome inefficiency in drug development. The collaboration's initial focus is streamlining and standardizing clinical trials. "This collaborative approach in the precompetitive arena, utilizing the collective experience and resources of 10 leading drug companies and others to follow, has the promise to lead to new paradigms and cost savings in drug development," FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Dr. Janet Woodcock said. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(9/19), Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
(9/19)     
- United briefly considered refinery purchase, source says
In the months after Delta Air Lines' purchase of an oil refinery, United Continental Holdings appeared to be exploring the same move, a source says. Reportedly, a member of United's acquisitions department reviewed information about a Texas refinery priced at $100 million, though no visits were made and no offer put forth. "At this time, we believe that the next best use" of the sum "is to continue to pay down debt and invest in our product to de-risk the business and enhance returns over time," the airline said. CNBC
(9/21)
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- Plastic-based absorption technology could aid fracking cleanup
Abtech Holdings is receiving notice for its Smart Sponge, which can absorb oil runoff from hydraulic fracturing. The sponge is made from extruded plastic and absorbs only oil, not water. The company says the sponge can be disposed of in landfills or be used as fuel. Forbes
(9/21)
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- Industry report cites Dow Chemical's water-management strategy
Dow Chemical is among companies emphasizing the importance of water management for sustainable growth, according to a report released by CH2M HILL, which measured how water consumption costs are influencing business decisions in various industries, including chemicals. The report lauds Dow's water-management efforts, which makes use of advanced water-cooling technologies that enables it to conserve 1 billion gallons of water per year. Environmental Leader
(9/20)
| Biological Engineering & Pharmaceuticals | | |
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- Moon Shots Program takes aim against 8 cancers
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston plans to invest up to $3 billion in the first 10 years of its Moon Shots Program, which will focus on accelerating the translation of research into the clinical setting to reduce cancer mortality. The program, to focus initially on eight cancers, will include drug research and an emphasis on taking experimental treatments into early clinical studies. Houston Chronicle
(9/22), BeckersHospitalReview.com
(9/21)
| Materials & Nanotechnology | | |
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- Diatoms hold potential for biofuel and materials production
A team of scientists at Oregon State University has secured a $2 million, four-year grant from the National Science Foundation to study the potential for diatoms to produce biofuel and other products. Diatoms have the ability to produce lipids for biofuels, as well as semiconductor materials and chitin fibers for industrial uses, said Greg Rorrer, who leads the university's School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. "We believe that we can produce all of these products in one facility at the same time and move easily from one product to the other," Rorrer said. DomesticFuel.com
(9/18)
- TPU makers seek to increase bio-based adoption
Thermoplastic polyurethane makers are working to increase the bio-based content of their products to gain market advantage and respond to demand in vehicles, electronics and recreation uses, said Jesus Santamaria, a bio-platform manager at Lubrizol. "The greatest challenge from a technical standpoint is maintaining a high renewable content in the polyol and PU without compromising properties. You have to do this while always keeping end-cost in mind," said William Gower of Cargill. ICIS Chemical Business (U.K.)
(9/21)
| Education & Government Update | | |
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- REACH compliance is hurting chemical R&D investments, Cefic says
European chemical firms are diverting resources into complying with Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals rules, or REACH, instead of using the funds to help research and development activities, said Giorgio Squinzi, president of the European Chemical Industry Council, also known as Cefic. "The data points to something that our industry cannot afford. And while REACH increases interactions at the interfaces of industries, this occurs in the context of data sharing through vehicles such as safety data sheets. It remains to be seen whether this type of activity really drives concepts such as open innovation," Squinzi added. ChemicalWatch.com (free content)
(9/20)
| Career Focus | | |
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- 5 ways to help your career after hours
There are plenty of things you can do after the workday ends to advance your career, experts say. For example, hitting happy hour with colleagues can help improve work relationships, says Lynn Taylor, author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant." Also, traveling can give you a "change of perspective, fresh approaches to problem solving and inspiration for new projects," says Paula Crerar of Brainshark. CBS MoneyWatch
(9/14)
| Institute News | | |
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Westmoreland launches blog on the profession
Incoming 2013 AIChE president Phil Westmoreland has begun a regular blog series entitled "We Are ChE." He'll be writing about who ChEs are, what they're doing, and where they're going. The initial post focuses on "Entering a New Golden Age of Chemical Engineering." Westmoreland's topics will include trends, the wide range of ChE abilities and achievements, and the core and new directions of the discipline. Look for new posts each Wednesday. Read more.
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AIChE gala salutes "50 years of Engineering a Sustainable Future"
At its 2012 gala on Nov. 28 at the Plaza in New York City, AIChE will honor John Watson, CEO of Chevron; Ellen Kullman, CEO of DuPont; and John Televantos, partner in Arsenal Capital Partners. They represent companies whose chemical engineers have moved from reducing emissions and remediating legacy issues to a focus on clean processes, green engineering and sustainability, as well as their investment partners. Stephen Angel, CEO of Praxair, will chair. Learn more.
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 | There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."
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American author and poet
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