The latest Business updates from the science industry


by Gwyneth Astles


ACG secures fourth consecutive ‘Great Place To Work’ certification


ACG, the leading integrated supplier and service provider to the pharmaceutical industry globally, proudly announces its fourth consecutive certifi cation as a ‘Great Place To Work’. This award celebrates employers who prioritise creating exceptional employee experiences.


Five key business units within ACG – Capsules, Corporate, Scitech (Research and Development Centre), Machinery, and Inspection – have earned the prestigious ‘Great Place to Work’ certifi cation. Spanning across fi ve locations in India, the comprehensive assessment involved approximately 3000 associates across various management and plant categories. The certifi cation process entailed a detailed survey focusing on the fundamental aspects that defi ne an organisation’s culture.


Nikita Panchal, Group Head of Talent, OD, and DEI at ACG, expressed her pride and gratitude on winning this award for the fourth consecutive year. She emphasised that this achievement underscores the collective effort of ACG associates and highlights the organisation’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Panchal reiterated ACG’s dedication to fostering collaboration, supporting initiatives, embracing change and innovation, and encouraging personal and professional growth among associates.


Sunil Jha, Group Chief Human Resources Offi cer of ACG Group, highlighted the company’s emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and associate well-being. He expressed immense appreciation for the collaborative efforts of all associates in securing this prestigious award.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/5BYD and ilmt.co/PL/JR9M 62494pr@reply-direct.com


HPLC flowmeter approved by Chinese Metrology Institute


Testa Analytical announces the approval of its high-precision HPLC fl owmeter by the prestigious Chinese Metrology Institute in Beijing, China, marking a signifi cant milestone in metrology innovation.


This renowned national statutory authority conducted rigorous testing on the HPLC fl owmeter, exploring its viability as a modern alternative to traditional Flow calibration methods for HPLC pumps. Notably, the Testa Analytical HPLC fl owmeter demonstrated the ability to deliver precise fl ow rate measurements within one second, a stark improvement over the traditional 60-minute calibration process.


Praising the simplicity, convenience, and reliability of the


Testa HPLC fl owmeter, a scientist from the Metrology Institute highlighted its compact design, user-friendly operation, and ability to provide accurate quantitative data without the need for manual calculations. The revolutionary product is expected to signifi cantly streamline calibration processes for HPLC system users, saving them valuable time.


Local technical and application support for the HPLC fl owmeter in China is supplied by Dr Aizhen Niu (aniu@testa-analytical.com).


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/V20Y 62672pr@reply-direct.com


New CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement to advance disease model development


Ricoh Company, Ltd has announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement with ERS Genomics Ltd for access to foundational CRISPR/ Cas9 genome editing technology patents in the USA and Japan.


CRISPR/Cas9 is a revolutionary gene editing technology that allows for precise modifi cation of targeted genome sequences. It plays a crucial role in drug discovery and is utilised in various research fi elds.


In 2022, Ricoh acquired Elixirgen Scientifi c, Inc, which specialises in rapid and effi cient differentiation of human iPS cells and mRNA design, production, and management. Combining these technologies with CRISPR/Cas9, Ricoh aims to enhance the prediction of drug mechanisms for patients with diverse genetic backgrounds and to improve mRNA design speed and effi ciency. This integration allows for the creation of reliable disease models, including those for rare diseases, potentially shortening drug


development timelines and increasing success rates.


Ricoh is expanding the application of Elixirgen Scientifi c’s technology by utilising its expertise in digital and artifi cial intelligence technologies. This initiative aims to accelerate personalised medicine, drug discovery research, and regenerative medicine. Ricoh is committed to advancing drug development research through the diverse solutions offered by Elixirgen Scientifi c.


Summit Pharmaceuticals International Corporation, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, is the exclusive representative of ERS Genomics in Japan.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/odpw 62732pr@reply-direct.com


Schematic diagram of the iSPEM and the images it can obtain. Credit: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods (2024)


Electron spin states can now be probed at higher resolutions and with greater effi ciency, opening new opportunities in materials analysis and data processing technologies.


Researchers Koichiro Yaji and Shunsuke Tsuda at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan have developed an advanced microscope that visualises key aspects of electron spin states. Electron spin, a quantum mechanical property related to an electron’s angular momentum, signifi cantly impacts the electronic and magnetic behaviour of materials.


The new technology, called imaging-type spin-resolved photoemission microscopy (iSPEM), uses light interactions with electrons to detect their spin alignment. It specifi cally focuses on electron spin polarisation, which measures the collective alignment of electron spins in a specifi c direction.


The iSPEM system consists of three interconnected ultra-high vacuum chambers for sample preparation and analysis. Electrons emitted from the sample by absorbing light energy are accelerated through the apparatus and analysed using a spin fi lter crystal. The resulting images provide detailed information about the electron spin states.


“Compared to conventional machines, our iSPEM improves data acquisition effi ciency by a factor of ten thousand, with over ten times better spatial resolution,” explained Yaji. “This breakthrough offers immense opportunities for characterising the electronic structure of microscopic materials and devices at sub-micrometre scales.”


This advancement is signifi cant for the fi eld of spintronics, where electron spin states are used to store and process information, supplementing traditional electric charge. Spintronics applications could lead to more energy-effi cient and faster electronic devices, including quantum computers.


“This could lead to more energy-effi cient and faster electronic devices, including quantum computers,” said Yaji. Harnessing quantum mechanical behaviours for computing is at the forefront of efforts to signifi cantly boost computing power, transitioning from theoretical demonstrations to practical applications.


“We plan to use our machine to explore the development of a new generation of electron spin-based devices. It will allow us to investigate the properties of tiny and structurally complex samples that were previously hidden from view,” Yaji concluded.


The research was published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods (STAM-M)


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/bB6d 62720pr@reply-direct.com


Innovating


materials analysis with iSPEM


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