In brief

In Brief

A team led by Edman Tsang, professor at the University of Reading, UK, in collaboration with Johnson Matthey Catalysts has been awarded the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Award for Innovation in Applied Catalysis for developing a new class of magnetic catalyst. The logic behind the nanotechnology is simple; when a magnetic field is applied, the catalyst bodies are separated from the product.
PowderMed has delivered on its promise to provide three vaccines to enter clinical trials before the end of 2004. The company, founded in May 2004 and based in Oxford, UK, is focusing its efforts on the development of DNA-based vaccines. The company's patented PowderJect technology, which comprises the vaccine bound to microscopic gold particles, which are propelled at high speed into the skin, harnesses the immune system to produce the therapeutic effect.
The biggest polluters of air and water in the chemical industry have been named and shamed in a report from the European Commission. Several of the companies named are British, including GlaxoSmithKline and BP. Companies were warned that they could face penalties for illegal discharges.
In contrast, the Green chemical technology 2004 roadmap has been published by the Crystal Faraday partnership. The organisation was set up to lead the way for research and implementation of green practices in industry in the UK. It has identified the main social and environmental trends. Further information about the project is available from the partnership.
The British biotechnology firm BTG saw share prices slump following a delay to the US launch of its high-profile varicose vein treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. The new drug, Varisolve, is a foam that can destroy varicose veins without the need for surgery. The potential market for Varisolve was touted as being worth $1 billion a year.