The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a not-for-profit UK government-financed organization that promotes and funds medical and other health-related research. Founded in 1913, MRC funding has been responsible for some of the biggest breakthroughs in life sciences, such as the purification of penicillin and the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. The council's funding is distributed to researchers in universities, the National Health System, and MRC research centers. Current research priorities include AIDS, antibiotic resistance, the use of animals in research, chronic fatigue syndrome, the study of cognitive systems, intensive care, multiple sclerosis, and other areas of public health.

DRAXIS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (formerly DRAXIS Health) lights up your insides with its own radiopharmaceuticals, but its main business is making other drug companies' injectable drugs, lotions and pills. The company's larger DRAXIS Pharma unit is a contract manufacturer specializing in liquid and freeze-dried injectable drugs, though it also makes sterile and non-sterile ointments, creams, and other formulations. Another unit, DRAXIMAGE, develops and makes radiopharmaceuticals, such as radioactive iodine, for use in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. DRAXIMAGE sells its products mostly in the US and Canada. In 2008 India-based Jubilant Organosys acquired DRAXIS for about $255 million.

Prestige Brands Holdings was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Irvington, New York. Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (Prestige) sells over-the-counter healthcare, household cleaning and personal care products in a global marketplace. The Company’s products are sold through multiple channels, including mass merchandisers and drug, grocery, dollar and club stores, which allow it to launch products across all distribution channels and reduce its exposure to any single distribution channel. The Company conducts its operations through three principal business segments: over-the-counter healthcare, household cleaning and personal care. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009), Prestige’s principal brands accounted for approximately 94.5% of its net revenues.

Actelion Pharmaceuticals UK is the British arm of Swiss biotech firm Actelion. The drug manufacturer's product pipeline is based on its research of the endothelium, the single layer of cells between blood vessels and the blood that flows through them. Its first products are Tracleer for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and Zavesca which is used to treat Type 1 Gaucher disease.

Sanofi-Aventis U.S. is just a subsidiary, but it's still one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the US. As the US operations of European drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis, the company develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceutical products. Its production facility in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of Sanofi-Aventis' primary manufacturing sites, and it produces pharmaceuticals for sale in the US and around the world. Some of its key products include sleep aid Ambien, cancer drug Taxotere, and blood thinner Plavix. Sanofi-Aventis US markets its parent's products in the US through its 8,000 field sales professionals.

Althea Technologies provides services that help drug developers speed up the drug discovery and testing process, as well as reduce risks and costs associated with research and development efforts. Founded in 1998 by co-chairs Francois Ferre and Magda Marquet -- who hold Ph.D.s in molecular oncology and biochemical engineering -- the company assists in the development process from discovery through testing, regulatory support, and contract manufacturing stages. Services include gene expression analysis, protein production, and therapeutic and vaccine product manufacturing for clinical trials.

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Sanger Institute) is a leading research center dedicated to analyzing and understanding genomics. Best known for its work on the Human Genome Project (the institute is responsible for sequencing one-third of the human genome), the Sanger Institute is applying genomics to the study of organisms that cause diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and tuberculosis. The institute was founded in 1993 by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, and has been funded by a $430 million grant from the Wellcome Trust since 2001.

Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. company makes hermetically sealed gelatin encapsulations of dietary supplements -- vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and herbal extracts. The company manufactures more than 150 products, both private label and branded, to promote digestive health, immune system support, urinary tract wellness, and weight loss. Its brands include Carnisol, Femalgen, GlucoFit, and LyCoQ. Soft Gel Technologies also provides contract research and development, formulation, manufacturing, and sales and marketing services for other nutritional products companies. Soft Gel company is owned by Japanese chemicals firm Kenko.

Mediatech, Inc. company develops, manufactures, and distributes molecular biology and cell culture reagents used by research labs. Its customers include pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and academic institutions. Mediatech's products are sold under the cellgro and Insectagro brands, and include cell culture media, reagents, salt solutions, antibiotics, and bioprocess collection containers. The company also provides custom formulation and contract manufacturing services. Its products are sold in the US through its own sales force and through third-party distributors internationally. Mediatech was formed in 1984.

PRA International knows it takes more than laboratory research to get drugs approved. The company, a clinical research organization (CRO), provides an array of drug development services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world. Services the company offers include clinical trials management, database development, and regulatory filings preparation. PRA's clients are engaged in most major therapeutic areas, but the firm's particular strengths lie in oncology, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, allergy and respiratory disorders, and infectious disease. The company is owned by private equity firm Genstar Capital.

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