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Chemistry at Roche is working well

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 The company, which is the world’s largest maker of cancer drugs, reported first-half sales of SFr16.62 billion, up 14 per cent over the comparable period last year. The Basel-based group, with pharmaceuticals and diagnostics as core businesses, said that the pharma division was the “key growth driver” with sales increasing three times faster than the…

Roche snaps up biotech firm GlycArt

This content was published on Jul 19, 2005 The deal is seen as boosting Roche’s position as the world’s leading producer of cancer medicines. GlycArt Biotechnology of Schlieren near Zurich is a privately owned biotech company which has three monoclonal antibody drugs in preclinical testing. Such antibodies are mass-produced artificial versions of the proteins made by the immune system that seek out and…

Storms wreak havoc in Geneva area

This content was published on Jul 19, 2005 Trees were uprooted, vineyards were destroyed by hail, roofs were torn off, cars were damaged and railway lines were cut during the storms. Hundreds of firefighters were called into action and five seriously injured people were taken to hospital in Montreux. Police in Vaud said on Tuesday that eight people had been injured, three seriously,…

Health insurance premiums set to jump

This content was published on Jul 18, 2005 The speculation comes at a time of increasing debate over spiralling health costs in Switzerland and moves to reduce premiums for low-income families. A rise of between eight and ten per cent is “quite realistic”, says André Grandjean from Groupe Mutuel. This is a view shared by Visana, which is predicting a hike of eight…

Deiss wins pledges for more trade with China

This content was published on Jul 17, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, he said the authorities in Beijing would consider a study into a possible free-trade accord. Deiss met the vice-prime minister, Zeng Peiyan, and the minister of commerce, Bo Xilai, during his official visit to China which began on Thursday. On the agenda were talks about a memorandum of understanding on…

Zurich airport taxi strike has ended

This content was published on Jul 15, 2005 The Unia trade union accepted an offer from employers IG Airport Taxi to negotiate a new collective labour contract but gave up demands for a minimum salary. The compromise fell short of initial demands for a SFr4,000 ($3,088) minimum monthly wage guarantee, but instead grants a 13th monthly salary and better sick pay benefits. Both…

Novartis acquires key drugs portfolio

This content was published on Jul 15, 2005 The deal with New York-based firm Bristol-Myers Squibb is worth $660 million (SFr850 million). The drugs portfolio includes the widely used painkiller, Excedrin, which had US sales last year of $160 million. Novartis said it was buying the non-prescription drug range to give it greater “critical mass” in the US market. The brands it is…

Swiss sperm goes under the microscope

This content was published on Jul 15, 2005 Experts fear that chemicals present in the environment are acting as endocrine disruptors, altering the functioning of male hormones. After Denmark, Switzerland has the highest rate of testicular and prostate cancer for young men aged 15-34 in Europe. Scientists have for some time suspected that pesticides, cosmetics and certain drugs are to blame for this…

Swiss gave more generously following tsunami

This content was published on Jul 14, 2005 A total of almost SFr39 million ($30 million) was donated in 2004 to the fundraising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), swissinfo’s parent company. Until the tsunami on December 26, Swiss Solidarity said last year was “very average” with donations of SFr15.4 million, half the total amount spent on relief projects (SFr29.6 million). This…

Economist aims to bridge scientific divide

This content was published on Jul 14, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, Sturm – aged 36 and from the Netherlands – said that the divide between the two was widening, with science evolving very rapidly. Sturm will take up his new position in October, replacing Bernd Schips who is retiring after 12 years in the post. Currently Sturm teaches at Constance University…

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Internal: Archive

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Chemistry at Roche is working well

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Roche snaps up biotech firm GlycArt

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Storms wreak havoc in Geneva area

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Health insurance premiums set to jump

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Deiss wins pledges for more trade with China

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Zurich airport taxi strike has ended

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Novartis acquires key drugs portfolio

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Swiss sperm goes under the microscope

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Swiss gave more generously following tsunami

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Economist aims to bridge scientific divide

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