Subproducto del biodiésel mejora la producción de biogás en la digestión anaeróbica del estiércol porcino

El glicerol es un subproducto de la fabricación de biodiésel.

Aunque parte del glicerol puede utilizarse como materia prima en algunas industrias, no todo puede aprovecharse. Cuando la fabricación de biodiésel sea una actividad habitual en muchos países, cabe esperar una «superproducción de glicerol» (o de glicerina).

En previsión de esta situación, se han puesto en marcha estrategias para encontrar otros usos del glicerol con valor añadido. Los investigadores de la Universidad de Manitoba (Canadá) han descubierto que la suplementación con glicerol mejora la digestión anaeróbica del estiércol porcino. La digestión anaeróbica es un proceso de tratamiento biológico por el que la materia orgánica es degradada por microorganismos (en ausencia de aire).

Este proceso produce otro tipo de biocombustible gaseoso denominado «biogás» (una mezcla de metano y dióxido de carbono con una ratio de volumen de 55/45 o 60/40, en buenas condiciones de funcionamiento). Oswald Wohlgemut, alumno graduado de la Universidad de Manitoba, observó que con una proporción óptima de glicerol (alrededor del 1%) se duplicaba la producción de biogás en los equipos de digestión anaeróbica del estiércol porcino. Sin embargo, la digestión fracasaba si la proporción de glicerol añadido superaba el 1%.

Actualmente se está desarrollando un proyecto piloto de gran escala en la granja de investigación que posee la Universidad de Manitoba en Glenlea «con el fin de evaluar la digestión anaeróbica del purín mezclado con otros residuos para potenciar la producción de gas».

Glycerol Improves Methane Production During Anaerobic Digestion

University News for January 5, 2010

Research conducted by the University of Manitoba has shown the addition of the right amount of glycerol to swine manure can double biogas production during anaerobic digestion.

Anaerobic digestion is a natural process under which bacteria break down organic wastes producing a range of compounds, including methane which can be used as an energy source.

Researchers with the University of Manitoba have completed a one-year study in which the biogas production of swine manure was compared to that of swine manure amended with glycerol.

Masters graduate Oswald Wohlgemut explains glycerol, a byproduct of several industrial processes including biodiesel production, has little value in its unrefined form but it’s easily broken down and can benefit the anaerobic process.

Clip-Oswald Wohlgemut-University of Manitoba :
Essentially we were testing the chemical characteristics of the digested manure with and without glycerol along with the gas production.

Samples were collected approximately three times a week and gas production was recorded daily for approximately a year while the experiments were being run.

We compared the swine manure that was digested and we compared it with swine that was digested with one per cent, two per cent and four per cent glycerol addition.

The addition of one per cent glycerol by volume to the swine manure essentially doubled the methane production and remained stable throughout the life of the experiment.

While we were adding the two per cent and the four per cent glycerol, it caused failure of the anaerobic digestion process.

Wohlgemut expects this information to be used by farmers throughout North America who utilize anaerobic digestion and where biodiesel production is high such as in the United States.

He notes a large-scale pilot project is now being developed at the University of Manitoba’s research farm  at Glenlea to assess the anaerobic digestion of manure co-mixed with various other waste materials to enhance gas production.

For UnniversityNews.Org, I’m Bruce Cochrane.

El potencial bioenergético global (pero sostenible) puede satisfacer la demanda global: dictamen de la WBA

La Asociación Bioenergética Mundial (WBA, por sus siglas en inglés) ha publicado recientemente un dictamen sobre el potencial global de la energía biomásica. Este dictamen (basado en el informe publicado por el Departamento de Energía y Tecnología de la Universidad Agronómica de Suecia) señala que «el potencial de producción de biomasa para obtener energía de manera sostenible es suficiente para satisfacer la demanda global».

Este dictamen recoge, entre otras, las siguientes conclusiones:

(1) se estima que el potencial total de la producción bioenergética global será de de 1.548 exajulios en 2050 (de acuerdo con un escenario en el que se aplican las «mejores tecnologías disponibles» (un «julio» es una unidad de energía y 1 exajulio es igual a 10¹⁸ julios).

Por otra parte, el consumo global de energía primaria es menor (en un escenario de alto consumo), estimándose en 1.041 exajulios;

(2) no se aprecian problemas técnicos con respecto a la sustitución de los combustibles fósiles por la bioenergía, pero hay que trabajar para mejorar su eficiencia total;

(3) sólo el 0,19% de la superficie terrestre global se dedica a la producción de biocombustibles, mientras que el 0,5% son tierras agrícolas;

(4) el público conoce muy poco el potencial de la bioenergía, y sería útil poner en marcha una campaña de información y educación al respecto;

(5) «el desarrollo sostenible de biomasa y biocombustibles es un importante desafío» para incrementar la producción biomásica energética y se han puesto en marcha iniciativas internacionales para establecer «criterios de sostenibilidad» a fin de regular la producción y el comercio de bioenergía. Más información: Asociación Bioenergética Mundial, http://www.worldbioenergy.org/.

GSK to improve medicines for those in poorest countries

GlaxoSmithKline has revealed a series of new initiatives that are aimed at improving the company’s delivery of new and better medicines to the diseased in the world’s poorest countries.

The company is to encourage new research into neglected tropical diseases as well as expanding people in third world countries’ access to medicines.

Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York: “We are working with world-class partners to find new business models to expand access to medicines and deliver unique solutions in all the communities where we work.”

He went on to say that the company is “restless” and never satisfied with what it has achieved, always seeking to achieve more and delivering better health care.

The announcements were welcomed by one of GlaxoSmithKline’s partners, Medicines for Malaria Venture, which has, over the last seven years, helped the pharmaceutical company to develop new, innovative medicines for malaria.

According to the NHS, malaria is present in over 100 countries and comes in four different forms.

API from cow’s milk ‘could cure most diseases’

A broad spectrum antiviral and immune modulator branded Receptol could help to cure most of the world’s diseases, it has been claimed.

Biomix Network, a nano-biotech pharmaceutical company founded in November 1996, is working with Amul (the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) to collect the first milk from cows after a calf is born, reports Business Standard.

From this, nano-peptides that act as active pharmaceutical ingredients can be extracted.

By spraying in the mouth, the nano-peptides reach the heart and are pumped around the body.

They block pores on the cell surface that are a gateway to viruses and heighten the immune system.

“Receptol is a recipe for all, covering 90 per cent of diseases that we encounter today,” Biomix Network chairman Pawan Saharan told the news provider.

Dozens of products will be launched in the coming years, he continued, to treat diseases including HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and even some cancers and neurological disorders.

“This could be the next big thing after penicillin,” Mr Saharan added.

Roche recognised as new Super Sector Leader in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Basel, 3 September 2009

Underscores commitment to creating sustainable long-term value

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has been rated as the new Super Sector Leader in Healthcare on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, placing Roche as the most sustainable healthcare company worldwide. Selection into the global Dow Jones Sustainability World Index as well as the pan-European Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index follows a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, and takes into account elements such as corporate governance, risk management, access to medicines, climate change, supply chain standards, stakeholder engagement and labor practice.

Roche received maximum scores in the following categories: Research and Development, Environmental Policy/Management System and Environmental Reporting.

“Roche has been a regular member of these indexes since 2004, and while the company has always performed amongst the best, this is the first time that we are rated as the number one company” said Severin Schwan, CEO Roche Group. “Sustainability is at the core of all business practices at Roche and this recognition of our commitment is an additional incentive to continue our efforts while delivering truly innovative medicines for patients with unmet medical needs”.

About the 2009 DJSI review

The 2009 analysis of sustainability leadership was performed by the SAM group, a sustainability investment specialist, together with Dow Jones Indexes and STOXX Ltd., two leading global index providers. Accounting for issues such as corporate governance, climate change, supply chain standards, and labor practices, the annual review of the DJSI family is based on a thorough assessment of corporate economic, environmental and social performance. Its results influence the investment decisions of asset managers in 16 countries who have licensed the DJSI family as benchmarks and underlying for a variety of sustainability-driven portfolios – including mutual funds, segregated accounts and structured products, as well as an exchange traded fund that is listed on Euronext. Total assets under management in DJSI-based investment vehicles currently amount to close to $6 billion.

The sector leader is the top company in each of the 19 sectors analysed, with the healthcare super sector leader being chosen from over 70 companies specialising in pharmaceuticals, medical products, healthcare providers and biotechnology.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2008, Roche had over 80’000 employees worldwide and invested almost 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.6 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

PharmaMar responde hoy al ODAC sobre Yondelis y Doxil

El Comité de Expertos de Fármacos Ongológicos (ODAC) de la Agencia Estadounidense del Medicamento (FDA) preguntará hoy a PharmaMar sobre los resultados de su estudio OVA-301 en el que registran Yondelis en combinación con Doxil para el tratamiento del cáncer de ovario recurrente.

Aunque los resultados iniciales de este ensayo fuero positivos a ojos de PharmaMar, la ODAC preguntará sobre un objetivo secundario del mismo relacionado con la supervivencia de los pacientes. La filial de Zeltia espera poder responder de forma que la FDA le acabe permitiendo tener acceso al mercado estadounidense.

A New World-Leading Specialist HIV Company

GlaxoSmithKline And Pfizer Announce Innovative Agreement To Create A New World-Leading, Specialist HIV Company April 16, 2009 London, UK & Philadelphia, US — GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Pfizer Inc (PFE) today announced they have entered into an agreement to create a new world-leading HIV company focused solely on research, development and commercialisation of HIV medicines. The new HIV business will be more sustainable and broader in scope than either company’s individually, and will hold a 19% share of the growing market and have an industry-leading pipeline. GSK will initially hold an 85% equity interest in the new company and Pfizer will hold 15%. Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, GSK said: “Today marks a definitive step by GSK to renew our focus and deliver more medicines, more efficiently, to people living with HIV/AIDS. At the core of this specialist business is a broad portfolio of products and pipeline assets, which can be more effectively leveraged through the new company’s strong revenue base and dedicated research capability. HIV remains a global threat with increasing incidence and viral resistance. This new company will be better placed to meet these challenges and improve access to treatments.” Jeff Kindler, Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer said: “By combining Pfizer’s and GlaxoSmithKline’s complementary strengths and capabilities, we are creating a new global leader in HIV and reaffirming our ongoing commitment to the treatment of the disease. With the strength of the companies’ current HIV products, as well as the complementary fit of Pfizer’s HIV pipeline and GSK’s global distribution capabilities, the new company is well positioned to bring new and improved medicines to patients with more speed and efficiency. The new company can reach more patients and accomplish much more for the treatment of HIV globally than either company on its own.” Focused New Business With Industry-Leading HIV Pipeline The new company will have a broad product portfolio of 11 marketed products including market-leading therapies such as Combivir, Kivexa and Selzentry/Celsentri. Based on 2008 pro-forma results, this combined portfolio generated sales of approximately £1.6 billion and these revenues will provide the new company with financial stability and support investment in its pipeline. The clear focus of the new business will be to invest in research and development of innovative HIV treatments and formulations that improve adherence and overcome resistance to the virus. The company will have an industry-leading pipeline of 6 innovative and targeted medicines, including 4 compounds in phase II development. Altogether, the new company will have 17 molecules at its disposal to develop in fixed-dose combinations as possible new HIV treatments. The new company will contract R&D services directly from GSK and Pfizer to develop these medicines. The new company will also invest in early-stage research and discovery of HIV medicines, and will benefit from a new Research Alliance Agreement with GSK and Pfizer. Under this new alliance, GSK and Pfizer will continue to conduct discovery research and development into HIV medicines and the new company will invest in this activity and will have exclusive rights of first negotiation in relation to any new HIV-related medicine developed by either GSK or Pfizer. New Company’s Product Portfolio And Pipeline Combined Marketed Product Portfolio Product Class Agenerase Protease inhibitor Combivir NRTI Epivir/3TC NRTI Epzicom/Kivexa NRTI Lexiva/Telzir Protease inhibitor Rescriptor NNRTI (US only) Retrovir/AZT NRTI Selzentry/Celsentri CCR5 antagonist Trizivir NRTI Viracept Protease inhibitor (N. America only) Ziagen NRTI Combined Clinical Development Pipeline Combined Clinical Development Pipeline Product Class Phase GSK 1349572 Integrase inhibitor II UK-453061 NNRTI II GSK 2248761 (IDX899) NNRTI II PF-232798 CCR5 antagonist II PF-3716539 PK enhancer I GSK706769 CCR5 antagonist I Initiatives To Improve Treatment Access The new company will continue GSK’s and Pfizer’s commitments to improve access to HIV medicines for everyone. Not-for-profit pricing for HIV medicines will continue for those countries most in need, and the new company will continue to facilitate new voluntary licences to diversify production and expand capacity in these markets. The new company will also conduct research and development activities specifically to address appropriate access to HIV medicines in developing countries. In particular, the new company will increase its research effort into treatments and formulations for children living with HIV. The new company will continue GSK and Pfizer’s strong record of community support for HIV. GSK’s long-standing Positive Action programme will transfer to the new company, maintaining a focus on prevention, tackling stigma and discrimination, and building capacity and treatment literacy within the global community. Since 2002, GSK has conducted 65 partnership projects across 63 countries and the new company will continue to invest in Positive Action. Pfizer has made substantial investments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as evidenced through its partnerships with key stakeholders and organisations. The Pfizer Foundation remains committed to its continued support of ConnectHIV in the USA, the Diflucan Partnership Program in developing countries and the Infectious Diseases Institute, a global centre of excellence for teaching, research and healthcare delivery in Africa. Independent Leadership Dedicated To HIV Treatment The management of the new company will bring a new focus to the global HIV therapy area and will be able to rapidly prioritise and access internal and external investment opportunities. Dominique Limet has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer Designate of the new company and as a member of its Board. Dominique is currently Senior Vice President and Head of GSK’s Personalised Medicine Strategy. He is a trained physician and has held a number of senior leadership roles at GSK including as regional President for Southern and Eastern European markets and as General Manager of GSK France. Dominique has served as a member of GSK’s Positive Action Steering Committee and was a board member of the GSK France Foundation which supported a range of HIV/AIDS-related programmes around the world. Other Board members to be appointed to the new company are: * Julian Heslop, Chief Financial Officer, GSK and Chairman of the new HIV company * Cees Heiman, Regional President, Specialty Care Business Unit, Europe, Pfizer * Zhi Hong, SVP and Head of Infectious Diseases CEDD, GSK * Abbas Hussain, President Emerging Markets, GSK * Duncan Learmouth, SVP Corporate Communications & Community Partnerships, GSK * Martin Mackay, President, Global Research & Development, Pfizer * Ian McCubbin, SVP Strategy, Logistics and External Supply, GSK * Ellen Strahlman, SVP and Chief Medical Officer, GSK GSK and Pfizer have established an integration steering committee, with representatives from both companies to prepare for the operation of the new company upon the closing of the transaction. A head of R&D will be appointed to oversee all research and development activities. Manufacturing and other services will be provided by GSK and Pfizer. Financial Details The combination is highly complementary and serves both companies strategically. For GSK, the transaction will expand its marketed portfolio, helping to reduce the impact of patent expiries to several of its HIV products in future years, and it will provide access to a broad range of new pipeline assets. For Pfizer, the collaboration will provide Selzentry/Celsentri and its pipeline assets with access to GSK’s global HIV commercial organisation and HIV distribution network to better reach patients in need. Equity Interests Upon completion of the transaction, GSK will hold an 85% equity interest in the new company and Pfizer will hold 15% reflecting the value of their currently marketed products.To reflect the potential future performance of their respective HIV pipeline products, GSK and Pfizer have agreed a structure for their equity interests to be adjusted in the event that specified sales and regulatory milestones are achieved. If all milestones were to be achieved, GSK’s equity interest in the new company would be 75.5% and Pfizer’s would be 24.5%. In the event that the only milestones achieved are in respect of the pipeline assets originally contributed by GSK, GSK’s equity interest in the new company would be 91% and Pfizer’s would be 9%. In the event that the only milestones achieved are in respect of the products and pipeline assets originally contributed by Pfizer, GSK’s equity interest in the new company would be 69.5% and Pfizer’s would be 30.5%. The dividend entitlements of GSK and Pfizer in respect of their respective equity interests also include provision for preferential dividend payments if specified sales thresholds are met in respect of the marketed products and pipeline assets that they each originally contributed to the new company. Accounting The new company will be fully consolidated in GSK’s financial statements and Pfizer’s share of the new company will be reflected as a minority interest. As part of the transaction GSK and Pfizer will exchange assets, and as a result GSK will be required to add Pfizer’s marketed and pipeline assets into its accounts at fair value. Consequently, under accounting rules which apply to acquisitions completed prior to the end of 2009, this asset exchange will result in a one-off non-cash, pre-tax accounting gain for GSK on the closure of the transaction, which is expected during the fourth quarter of 2009. GSK will report this gain within other operating income. Earnings And Cashflows Reflecting GSK’s greater contribution of marketed products to the new company, and the pipeline investment required, the transaction is expected to result in marginal near-term earnings per share dilution for GSK of approximately 1 to 2% in 2010 and 1% in 2011. This dilution is expected to reverse as the new company’s pipeline starts to generate sales. The transaction is expected to be neutral to Pfizer’s earnings in 2009 and slightly accretive in 2010 and 2011. The estimated dilution for GSK includes charges for amortisation of intangible assets related to Pfizer’s current and future marketed products, includes the realisation of annual pre-tax cost savings of up to £60 million by 2011 and excludes the one-off non-cash, pre-tax accounting gain referenced above. Synergies will be delivered through elimination of overlapping commercial infrastructure. The transaction will have a small adverse impact on GSK’s reported cashflow in 2010-2011 as a result of minority dividends paid, and is expected to be cashflow accretive by 2012. The book value of the gross assets contributed to this transaction by GSK and Pfizer is approximately £250 million. Based on 2008 pro-forma results, sales of the combined portfolio were approximately £1.6 billion with operating profits of approximately £870 million. Conditions To Transaction Closing The closing of the transaction and commencement of the new company’s business is conditional upon certain matters including receiving certain regulatory and tax clearances, and no material adverse change occurring in respect of either GSK’s or Pfizer’s HIV business prior to closing. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.The companies will also conduct consultations with staff, works councils, trade unions and other employee representatives as appropriate and in accordance with applicable employment legislation. www.hivfutures.com For more information about this announcement, GSK and Pfizer have established a website www.hivfutures.com for all interested parties including physicians, patients, community stakeholders and investors. GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com. Pfizer – Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company taking new approaches to better health. We discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to treat and help prevent disease for both people and animals. We also partner with health care providers, governments and local communities around the world to expand access to our medicines and to provide better quality health care and health system support. At Pfizer, more than 80,000 colleagues in more than 90 countries work every day to help people stay happier and healthier longer and to reduce the human and economic burden of disease worldwide. SOURCE: GlaxoSmithKline

Bioprocess Technology renueva su página WEB

Bioprocess Technology lleva más de 20 años trabajando en la Bio-Industria como Ingeniería, Fabricante e Instalación de equipamiento y plantas relacionadas con el Bioproceso, permanentemente a la vanguardia de las necesidades de esta industria.

En nuestra nueva Web usted podrá consultar de forma sencilla los Productos y Servicios que podemos ofrecerle, las Industrias en las que nos desarrollamos, y referencia a alguno de nuestros Proyectos, así como los Clientes que confían en Bioprocess Technology .

Le invitamos a que nos visite y por supuesto ante cualquier duda estaremos encantados en poder atenderle.

Departamento Comercial

Bioprocess Technology

Sanofi Aventis designa VP para Latinoamérica

Sanofi-Aventis anunció que Stephen Cobham es el nuevo vicepresidente para la zona de Latinoamérica, a excepción de Brasil y México, países que por su tamaño e importancia estratégica, reportan directamente a la casa matriz en París, Francia.

Cobham cuenta con una amplia trayectoria en el mundo farmacéutico. Inició su carrera profesional en su nativa Uruguay en la consultora Price Waterhouse. En 1987 ingresó a Glaxo, allí ocupó distintos cargos gerenciales en Estados Unidos y varios países de Latinoamérica. Posteriormente ingresó a la farmacéutica Shering-Plough Inc. en donde en el año 1995 asume la gerencia general para Centroamérica y República Dominicana con sede en Panamá.

En el año 1997 se hace cargo de la gerencia general de la compañía Bristol -Myers Squibb (BMS) para Argentina y Cono Sur, pasando en el año 2000 a dirigir la filial de la misma compañía en México. Finalmente en el año 2003 es nombrado vicepresidente regional para la división de dispositivos médicos de BMS medical para Europa, Oriente Medio y África con sede en Londres.

A lo largo de su carrera profesional dentro de la industria farmacéutica, se ha desarrollado en tres continentes y siete países distintos. Los últimos 6 años ha vivido en Inglaterra y ahora retorna a Latinoamérica.

Fuente: http://universo.eluniversal.com