From academic laboratory to the market: Disclosed and undisclosed narratives of commercialization.

This paper examines how the Weizmann Institute of Science has been telling the story of the successful commercialization of a scientific invention, through its corporate communication channels, from the early 1970s to today. The paper aims to shed light on the transformation processes by which intellectual-property-based commercialization activities have become widely institutionalized in universities all over the world, and on the complexities, ambiguities and tensions surrounding this transition. We look at the story of the scientific invention of Copolymer-1 at the Weizmann Institute of Science and its licensing to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which subsequently developed the highly successful drug Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. We argue that, in its tellings and retellings of the story of Copolymer-1, the Weizmann Institute has created narratives that serve to legitimize the institution of academic patenting in Israel.

Microencapsulation by interfacial polymerisation: membrane formation and structure.

Interfacial polymerisation was mainly developed toward the end of the 1960s, leading to applications in microcapsule production by the mid-1970s. The process consists in the dispersion of one phase containing a reactive monomer, into a second immiscible phase to which is added a second monomer. Both monomers react at the droplet surface (interface), forming a polymeric membrane. Over the last 50 years, many studies have been reported, but very few have provided a comprehensive review of this technology. This contribution reviews microcapsule production by interfacial polymerisation from the chemical, physico-chemical and physical perspectives, providing a tool for understanding and mastering this production technology, but also providing guidance toward improvements for future process design.

Macromolecular therapeutics.

This review covers water-soluble polymer-drug conjugates and macromolecules that possess biological activity without attached low molecular weight drugs. The main design principles of traditional and backbone degradable polymer-drug conjugates as well as the development of a new paradigm in nanomedicines - (low molecular weight) drug-free macromolecular therapeutics are discussed. To address the biological features of cancer, macromolecular therapeutics directed to stem/progenitor cells and the tumor microenvironment are deliberated. Finally, the future perspectives of the field are briefly debated.

Origin of the 44-mm behind-armor blunt trauma standard.

A number of armed assaults on public officials occurred in the early 1970s, which prompted the Lightweight Soft Body Armor Program to develop modern, concealable, soft body armor. Methodology needed to be developed to (1) determine the effectiveness of the soft body armor to stop bullet penetration and (2) assess the potential injury from nonpenetrating blunt impacts to the body. Extensive research was performed under the program to develop methodologies to assess soft body armor, including behind-armor blunt trauma (BABT) evaluation. This methodology is still used today, and it has been applied extensively beyond the original intent. However, the origin of this methodology is not well understood by many researchers in the various fields in which it is being applied because the original documentation is difficult to obtain. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the BABT to offer researchers information about its history and limitations.

Formulation and Evaluation of Matrix Diffusion Controlled Transdermal Patches of Domperidone hydrochloride

A matrix dispersion type transdermal drug delivery system of domperidone was developed using different ratios of rosin with Eudragit RL and Eudragit RS. The effect of the polymers on the technological properties, i.e., drug release, water vapor transmission rate, percentage moisture loss and thickness were investigated. The patch containing Eudragit RL: Eudragit RS (8:2) showed a release of 87.10% in 12 h. Formulation D1 emerged as the most satisfactory formulation as far as the technological properties were concerned. Further skin permeation and skin irritation studies were carried out on rat skin and rabbit respectively. Therefore it can be concluded that the patch containing Eudragit RL: Eudragit RS in the ratio 8:2 achieved the desired objectives of transdermal drug delivery systems, such as overcoming of first pass effect, extended release and reduced frequency of administration(AU)

Se ha desarrollado un sistema de administración de fármaco transdérmico de matriz de dispersión de domperidona utilizando diferentes coeficientes de resina con Eudragit RL y Eudragit RS. Se ha investigado el efecto de los polímeros en las propiedades tecnológicas, es decir, liberación del fármaco, coeficiente de la transmisión del vapor del agua, porcentaje de pérdida de humedad y espesor. El parche con Eudragit RL: Eudragit RS (8:2) ha mostrado una liberación de 87,10% en 12 h. La formulación D1 ha resultado ser la formulación más satisfactoria, en la medida que afecta a las propiedades tecnológicas. Se han llevado a cabo otros estudios sobre permeabilidad e irritación cutánea en piel de ratones y de conejos respectivamente. Por lo tanto, se puede determinar que el parche que contiene RL: Eudragit RS en un coeficiente de 8:2 ha alcanzado los objetivos fijados de los sistemas de administración de fármaco transdérmico como una superación del efecto del primer pase, liberación prolongada y frecuencia reducida de administración(AU)

HPMA copolymers: origins, early developments, present, and future.

The overview covers the discovery of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers, initial studies on their synthesis, evaluation of biological properties, and explorations of their potential as carriers of biologically active compounds in general and anticancer drugs in particular. The focus is on the research in the authors' laboratory - the development of macromolecular therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, the evaluation of HPMA (co)polymers as building blocks of modified and new biomaterials is presented: the utilization of semitelechelic poly(HPMA) and HPMA copolymers for the modification of biomaterial and protein surfaces and the design of hybrid block and graft HPMA copolymers that self-assemble into smart hydrogels. Finally, suggestions for the design of second-generation macromolecular therapeutics are portrayed.

Bacterial polyesters: biosynthesis, biodegradable plastics and biotechnology.

The discovery and chemical identification, in the 1920s, of the aliphatic polyester: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, as a granular component in bacterial cells proceeded without any of the controversies which marked the recognition of macromolecules by Staudinger. Some thirty years after its discovery, PHB was recognized as the prototypical biodegradable thermoplastic to solve the waste disposal challenge. The development effort led by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., encouraged interdisciplinary research from genetic engineering and biotechnology to the study of enzymes involved in biosynthesis and biodegradation. From the simple PHB homopolyester discovered by Maurice Lemoigne in the mid-twenties, a family of over 100 different aliphatic polyesters of the same general structure has been discovered. Depending on bacterial species and substrates, these high molecular weight stereoregular polyesters have emerged as a new family of natural polymers ranking with nucleic acids, polyamides, polyisoprenoids, polyphenols, polyphosphates, and polysaccharides. In this historical review, the chemical, biochemical and microbial highlights are linked to personalities and locations involved with the events covering a discovery timespan of 75 years.