November 27, 2009
By BioSpace.com
Overview
Biotechnology research facilities can be found all over the world. Biotech research involves the study, creation and maintenance of various products in the medicine, food science and agricultural fields. Tissue regeneration, drugs, food, and diet are just a few fields that encompass biotech research. Reviews of the top companies show what is being tested and how it relates to today’s world.
Research Triangle Park
The leading center for biotechnology in the South is in the Raleigh-Durham area. This area is known as the Research Triangle with companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Burroughs Wellcome, Bayer, Biogen, and Aventis. There are more than 900 life scientists in this area studying and researching many medical products including cell culture, vaccines, therapeutics, and clinical diagnostics as well as bioseparations and specialty chemicals. This area also is popular among business start ups due to the close relationships within the manufacturing and research facilities. Here are a few examples for you.
1. Amgen
Amgen is located worldwide and specializes in global biotechnology. This company markets, discovers, manufactures, and develops advances in the fields of molecular biology. A Fortune 500 company, Amgen specializes in the advancement of products for rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, kidney disease and other major illnesses.
2. Merck & Co.
Merck is a global company that markets and manufactures vaccines and medicines such as Gardasil, Singulair, and Fosamax. Merck, a leader in health care issues that plague third-world countries, provides information libraries to nurses in these areas, giving them access to quality health care information.
3. AztraZeneca
AstraZeneca leads the fight in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular problems, infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and respiratory issues. They are active in over 100 countries and have 26 manufacturing companies in 18 of the countries. Sales in 2008 totaled $31.6 billion. Well known medicines from this company include Inderal, Nexium, and Seroquel.
4. Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health, also global, is a leader in the creation and manufacturing of medical and surgical supplies. Cardinal Health is the only company to offer all three cardiac imaging agents: Myoview, Cardiolite, and a new product called Sestamibi. The largest radio pharmacy network in the United States is operated by Cardinal Health with approximately 160 nuclear pharmacies across the country that specialize in compounding and dispensing prescription drugs to patients. They also employ the largest number of nuclear pharmacists in the world.
Considerations
While this is a very small review of top companies worldwide, further research can be found in the resources below in order to get a clear understanding of what biotechnology entails.
References
Biospace.com: Biotech and Pharmaceutical News & Jobs
Raleigh-Durham Area
Amgen
Top Company Listing
Merck & Co.
AstraZeneca
Cardinal Health
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