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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 9, 2005) - Six of the FDA-approved cancer drugs on the market were discovered in Alabama by Southern Research Institute. With its enviable track record, Southern Research today announced that it will be one of the Alabama Pavilion participants at the BIO 2005 Annual International Convention to be held June 19-22 in Philadelphia.
"Southern Research is one of the best bio-related businesses in the industry. They have established themselves strongly in the drug discovery/drug development arena. Their exemplary performance and continued success sets a standard for the industry that is truly raising the bar for our state," said G. Michael Alder, executive director of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama.
Notable biotech and pharmaceutical industry contributions by Southern Research include helping to pioneer controlled release technology starting in the 1970s, and developing the protocol for combinatorial chemotherapy. In December 2004, Clofarabine - discovered by Southern Research - received FDA approval for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of leukemia in children. The drug is being marketed in the U.S. by Genzyme Corporation. Bioenvision, Inc. holds all European rights to the drug.
Four additional drugs discovered at Southern Research are now in clinical trials. Southern Research has also announced a collaborative research arrangement with Schering-Plough, Inc. to jointly pursue new drugs to treat a certain type of infectious disease.
In January, the company spun out its very successful drug delivery group creating Brookwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary. Representatives from Brookwood will also exhibit at BIO (Booth #2103.)
"When you look at what Southern Research has done in the way of creating new drugs, new technologies and new companies, they emerge as an important catalyst in the development and growth of Alabama's biotechnology industry. More importantly, they have proven that you can be successful doing business and attracting scientific talent to the state," said Angela Weir, vice president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. "Their success is shared by all of us."
"We are happy to support the state's efforts in encouraging the growth of the biotech industry, and to be a part of a strong Alabama team at this important industry meeting. For more than 60 years, Alabama has been our home base, and has served us -- and our clients from all over the world - very well," said David R. Harris, director of Business Development for Southern Research.
Other exhibitors in the Alabama Pavilion are Auburn University, Aetos Technologies, Inc.; Atherotech, Inc.; The University of South Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Research Foundation, Open Biosystems, Inc.; and the Partnership for Biotechnology Research.
The Alabama Pavilion is sponsored by the Alabama Development Office, Alabama Power Co., the Biotechnology Association of Alabama, the City of Auburn, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Development Board (Birmingham), the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the UAB Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering.