From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Mon Jan 10 09:39:44 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id 8583A17A72; Mon, 10 Jan 2000 09:39:43 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id C237217A6D; Mon, 10 Jan 2000 09:39:41 +0000 (GMT) To: nobody@net.bio.net X-Really-To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, On@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Behalf@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Of@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: I need an aroclor pcb monoclonal!!!! Message-Id: <20000110093941.C237217A6D@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 09:39:41 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk I am looking for an aroclor pcb monoclonal. If you have one that you would consider licensing I would appreciate it very much if you would contact me at dennis@unity.ncsu.edu. (My university does not maintain much of a history of the groups, so I could miss your reply if you only reply to the group.) Also, if you know if any individual, university, or company with such a critter, please pass that info on to me. Thanks for your help. Dennis --- From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Tue Jan 11 10:05:59 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id 2A89417B14; Tue, 11 Jan 2000 10:05:58 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id 8AB4517A5A; Tue, 11 Jan 2000 10:05:56 +0000 (GMT) To: nobody@net.bio.net X-Really-To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: Yasuo@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Tajima@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:tajima@mcn.ne.jp]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: anti-human nestin parimary antibody Message-Id: <20000111100556.8AB4517A5A@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2000 10:05:56 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Greetings, I need help to locate preferably commercial supplier/suppliers of primary antibody for human nestin that raised from any species. Thanks in advance, Yasuo -- ((( Yasuo Tajima @ Pathology Lab O-O tajima@mcn.ne.jp ~ From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Wed Jan 12 15:01:47 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id D961817B67; Wed, 12 Jan 2000 15:01:46 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id 0747617B61; Wed, 12 Jan 2000 15:01:44 +0000 (GMT) To: nobody@net.bio.net X-Really-To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, On@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Behalf@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Of@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: Taq Patent 'obtained by fraud' Message-Id: <20000112150144.0747617B61@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 15:01:44 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk In case anyone else, like me, managed to miss this in the run up to Christmas, here is a press release from Promega regarding a US court ruling on the Taq patent. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who can say a bit more about the probable consequences and how much weight this ruling by a District Court actually carries.. Dr Kevin O'Donnell Scottish Agricultural Science Agency Edinburgh EH12 8NJ UK Tel.: +44 131 244 8924 Fax: +44 131 244 8926 http://www.sasa.gov.uk Promega press release follows: COURT RULES ROCHE TAQ PATENT OBTAINED BY FRAUD For Immediate Release MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA (December 7, 1999) Remaining Taq and PCR Patents Worldwide May Fall A Federal District Court today ruled that "[a]ll claims of the '818 patent are . . . unenforceable", and in so doing found that a key biotechnology patent owned by Hoffmann-LaRoche on Taq polymerase was obtained by fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The current global market for Taq sales alone is estimated to approach $200 million annually. In carefully worded and lengthy written findings, Judge Vaughn Walker of the Northern District of California in San Francisco concluded that the patent was obtained by fraud. In eight separate instances, the Court found that the patent holder had intentionally withheld material information and distorted important facts in obtaining the patent. The patent at issue-the '818 Taq patent--involves an enzyme, Taq DNA polymerase, which is a critical component in such important biotech processes as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing. PCR is key to genetic identification and analysis, and researchers use both processes extensively worldwide in pursuit of prevention of or cures for disease. The Court's decision renders this primary Taq patent unenforceable and sets the stage for a finding of unenforcability for all related Taq and PCR patents. This is a major blow to Hoffmann-LaRoche, putting in jeopardy its entire Taq and related PCR patent portfolio. It also undermines the current PCR licensing strategy of both Roche and its licensing partner, Perkin-Elmer, both of whom rely heavily on sales of licensed Taq to obtain PCR royalties. The Court based its decision on extensive testimony and documentary evidence presented by Madison, Wisconsin-based Promega Corporation during a four-week trial in February 1999. Hailing the decision as a victory for the scientific research community, Promega Chairman and CEO, William Linton, stated, "The decision is a significant victory, particularly for the research community. The Court has reaffirmed the importance of honesty and integrity on the part of scientists and companies in the pursuit of patents. The decision also recognized the seminal discoveries of Professor John Trela and his lab in 1974 and Dr. Kaledin in 1980, who first published the isolation and purification of this key enzyme in the scientific literature." The Court found the evidence of fraud in this case to be overwhelming. Dr. Randall Dimond, Chief Technical Officer for Promega, noted, "We are pleased that the Court validated what the worldwide scientific community has believed for years: that Taq was first purified by others, and that Cetus must have misrepresented facts to the US Patent Office in order to obtain the patent. Soon after Roche sued Promega in 1992, we uncovered evidence of Cetus' fraudulent actions in obtaining the Taq patent in the US and immediately brought it to the attention of senior Roche officials. Unfortunately, Roche chose to ignore the fraud, instead continuing a pattern of deception by obtaining equivalent patents in other countries. The Court's decision finally puts an end to their deception and to the huge profits they've reaped from that deception at the expense of the scientific community worldwide." James Troupis of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, lead counsel for Promega, notes that cases involving fraud of this scope and magnitude are rare. "The U.S. patent system grants monopolies to patent holders in exchange for complete candor and disclosure. Judge Walker's comprehensive findings and conclusions reaffirm that where there are gross abuses of this duty of candor, such as occurred in this case, they will not be tolerated." In addition to the financial impact of lost sales and royalties, Roche faces the prospect of monetary damages and other sanctions. The complete text of Judge Walker's order, along with extensive information on the case, may be obtained from Promega's web site: www.promega.com, "Patent News". Phone interviews with quoted individuals may be arranged through the number below. Contact Diana Frank, Executive Assistant (608) 277-2513 dfrank@promega.com --- From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Thu Jan 13 09:15:23 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id C124C17AA8; Thu, 13 Jan 2000 09:15:22 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id B410617A68; Thu, 13 Jan 2000 09:15:20 +0000 (GMT) To: nobody@net.bio.net X-Really-To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: David@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, E@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, L@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Cooke@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:DCooke@scri.sari.ac.uk]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: taq patent fight Message-Id: <20000113091520.B410617A68@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 09:15:20 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Dear All There was an article on this issue in Science (vol 286 pg 2251); it is a complex story. The whole case, as it stands, involves the native taq. Three years ago Cetus were judged to have misled the patent office to gain the patent but the recent case was to judge if they had done so deliberately. Its seems they did as the Patent has now been invalidated. Since much of the taq sales are now based on recombinant form (covered by a different patent) there may be little immediate impact on Roche. However Promega plan to continue their challenge against other taq enzymes and the PCR process itself. The story goes on ...... David From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Thu Jan 13 14:21:59 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id 46AFE17B9E; Thu, 13 Jan 2000 14:21:57 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id DE00017A88; Thu, 13 Jan 2000 14:21:48 +0000 (GMT) To: nobody@net.bio.net X-Really-To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: Tim@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Spahlinger@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:txs@po.cwru.edu]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: Re: Taq Patent 'obtained by fraud' Message-Id: <20000113142148.DE00017A88@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 14:21:48 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk I'm not a lawyer. But, according to the printed ruling handed down, the parties of the legal action must appear again in court on January 27, 2000. I think things may be "finalized" at that time for this proceeding. You can be sure, however, that Roche will vigorously pursue its options for appealing the ruling. I would also expect that Roche will continue to defend and demand royalties from the production and use of Taq, unless the judge declares that the patent and related royalties cannot be enforced during any appeals process. Therefore, it may be a long time (maybe several years) before this process reaches its conclusion. Assuming Roche ultimately loses I would look forward to generally lower prices for Taq and products that utilize Taq. I would at least await the results of the proceeding of January 27 before speculating upon the ruling's effect pertaining to the patents covering PCR. daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk], On, Behalf, Of wrote: > In case anyone else, like me, managed to miss this in the run up to > Christmas, here is a press release from Promega regarding a US court > ruling on the Taq patent. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who can > say a bit more about the probable consequences and how much weight this > ruling by a District Court actually carries.. > > Dr Kevin O'Donnell > Scottish Agricultural Science Agency > Edinburgh > EH12 8NJ > UK > Tel.: +44 131 244 8924 Fax: +44 131 244 8926 > http://www.sasa.gov.uk > > Promega press release follows: > > COURT RULES ROCHE TAQ PATENT OBTAINED BY FRAUD > For Immediate Release > > MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA (December 7, 1999) > > Remaining Taq and PCR Patents Worldwide May Fall > > A Federal District Court today ruled that "[a]ll claims of the '818 > patent are . . . unenforceable", and in so doing found that a key > biotechnology patent owned by Hoffmann-LaRoche on Taq polymerase was > obtained by fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The current > global market for Taq sales alone is estimated to approach $200 million > annually. > > In carefully worded and lengthy written findings, Judge Vaughn Walker of > the Northern District of California in San Francisco concluded that the > patent was obtained by fraud. In eight separate instances, the Court > found that the patent holder had intentionally withheld material > information and distorted important facts in obtaining the patent. > > The patent at issue-the '818 Taq patent--involves an enzyme, Taq DNA > polymerase, which is a critical component in such important biotech > processes as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing. PCR is > key to genetic identification and analysis, and researchers use both > processes extensively worldwide in pursuit of prevention of or cures for > disease. > > The Court's decision renders this primary Taq patent unenforceable and > sets the stage for a finding of unenforcability for all related Taq and > PCR patents. This is a major blow to Hoffmann-LaRoche, putting in > jeopardy its entire Taq and related PCR patent portfolio. It also > undermines the current PCR licensing strategy of both Roche and its > licensing partner, Perkin-Elmer, both of whom rely heavily on sales of > licensed Taq to obtain PCR royalties. > > The Court based its decision on extensive testimony and documentary > evidence presented by Madison, Wisconsin-based Promega Corporation > during a four-week trial in February 1999. Hailing the decision as a > victory for the scientific research community, Promega Chairman and CEO, > William Linton, stated, "The decision is a significant victory, > particularly for the research community. The Court has reaffirmed the > importance of honesty and integrity on the part of scientists and > companies in the pursuit of patents. The decision also recognized the > seminal discoveries of Professor John Trela and his lab in 1974 and Dr. > Kaledin in 1980, who first published the isolation and purification of > this key enzyme in the scientific literature." > > The Court found the evidence of fraud in this case to be overwhelming. > Dr. Randall Dimond, Chief Technical Officer for Promega, noted, "We are > pleased that the Court validated what the worldwide scientific community > has believed for years: that Taq was first purified by others, and that > Cetus must have misrepresented facts to the US Patent Office in order to > obtain the patent. Soon after Roche sued Promega in 1992, we uncovered > evidence of Cetus' fraudulent actions in obtaining the Taq patent in the > US and immediately brought it to the attention of senior Roche > officials. Unfortunately, Roche chose to ignore the fraud, instead > continuing a pattern of deception by obtaining equivalent patents in > other countries. The Court's decision finally puts an end to their > deception and to the huge profits they've reaped from that deception at > the expense of the scientific community worldwide." > > James Troupis of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, lead counsel for Promega, > notes that cases involving fraud of this scope and magnitude are rare. > "The U.S. patent system grants monopolies to patent holders in exchange > for complete candor and disclosure. Judge Walker's comprehensive > findings and conclusions reaffirm that where there are gross abuses of > this duty of candor, such as occurred in this case, they will not be > tolerated." > > In addition to the financial impact of lost sales and royalties, Roche > faces the prospect of monetary damages and other sanctions. > > The complete text of Judge Walker's order, along with extensive > information on the case, may be obtained from Promega's web site: > www.promega.com, "Patent News". Phone interviews with quoted individuals > may be arranged through the number below. > > > > Contact > Diana Frank, Executive Assistant > (608) 277-2513 > dfrank@promega.com > > --- From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Tue Jan 25 15:39:35 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id 57A9117B85; Tue, 25 Jan 2000 15:39:34 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id 63E9E17B82; Tue, 25 Jan 2000 15:39:31 +0000 (GMT) To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, On@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Behalf@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Of@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: Labels, Signaling and Detection Meeting Message-Id: <20000125153931.63E9E17B82@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 15:39:31 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Call for posters: First Announcement and Call for Posters Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Fourth Annual Advances in  MOLECULAR LABELS, SIGNALING & DETECTION: Enhancing Sensitivity, Accuracy, and Speed June 12-13, 2000 * The Capital Hilton * Washington D.C. Extending the limits of assay sensitivity and accuracy, while also meeting the demand for greater throughput and/or lower cost, requires tightening engineering specifications, but also acquiring innovative techniques and systems. The development of new probes and labels, homogeneous assay designs, and approaches which allow for the direct detection of compounds or specific binding events are having an impact in basic research, diagnostic and drug development segments. Novel fluorescent and luminescent technology are also critical for the implementation of greater speed and automation. Advances in miniaturization, including microarrays, are having a significant impact in meeting these goals. These advances are being applied to the detection, quantification and localization of gene sequences, proteins, infectious organisms, contaminants and a variety of other targets. Researchers are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster presentation consideration. Please find attached the poster presentation instructions. Potential topics include novel developments and new methods for: Instrumentation Biosensors Electrochemical Sensors Fluorescent and Luminescent Assay Systems Detection Direct (non-amplified) quantitation Optical sensing and detection Single molecule detection Ultrasensitive detection Ultrafast DNA detection Labels and Probes New probes Novel labels Quantum Dots Applications Clinical molecular diagnostics High-throughput genotyping High-throughput drug screening Homogeneous assays Please submit poster presentations by e-mail or fax to: Mary Chitty Conference Director e-mail: mchitty@healthtech.com fax: 617-630-1325 Poster Abstract deadline, May 5, 2000 From owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Fri Jan 28 09:44:31 2000 Return-Path: Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 110) id 262B617A73; Fri, 28 Jan 2000 09:44:30 +0000 (GMT) Received: by mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk (Postfix, from userid 1) id DEFAC17A5C; Fri, 28 Jan 2000 09:44:28 +0000 (GMT) To: diagnost@net.bio.net Newsgroups: bionet.diagnostics From: daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, [mailto:daemon@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk]@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, On@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Behalf@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk, Of@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Subject: Labels, Signaling and Detection Meeting Message-Id: <20000128094428.DEFAC17A5C@mercury.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 09:44:28 +0000 (GMT) Sender: owner-diagnost@hgmp.mrc.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Call for posters: First Announcement and Call for Posters Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Fourth Annual Advances in  MOLECULAR LABELS, SIGNALING & DETECTION: Enhancing Sensitivity, Accuracy, and Speed June 12-13, 2000 * The Capital Hilton * Washington D.C. Extending the limits of assay sensitivity and accuracy, while also meeting the demand for greater throughput and/or lower cost, requires tightening engineering specifications, but also acquiring innovative techniques and systems. The development of new probes and labels, homogeneous assay designs, and approaches which allow for the direct detection of compounds or specific binding events are having an impact in basic research, diagnostic and drug development segments. Novel fluorescent and luminescent technology are also critical for the implementation of greater speed and automation. Advances in miniaturization, including microarrays, are having a significant impact in meeting these goals. These advances are being applied to the detection, quantification and localization of gene sequences, proteins, infectious organisms, contaminants and a variety of other targets. Researchers are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster presentation consideration. Please find attached the poster presentation instructions. Potential topics include novel developments and new methods for: Instrumentation Biosensors Electrochemical Sensors Fluorescent and Luminescent Assay Systems Detection Direct (non-amplified) quantitation Optical sensing and detection Single molecule detection Ultrasensitive detection Ultrafast DNA detection Labels and Probes New probes Novel labels Quantum Dots Applications Clinical molecular diagnostics High-throughput genotyping High-throughput drug screening Homogeneous assays Please submit poster presentations by e-mail or fax to: Mary Chitty Conference Director e-mail: mchitty@healthtech.com fax: 617-630-1325 Poster Abstract deadline, May 5, 2000