Resolving the Process vs. Product Innovation Dilemma: A Consumer Choice Theoretic Approach

There has been considerable emphasis on the strategic importance of process and product innovation in the management literature. What actually constitutes process and product innovation, however, is a confused issue in the current literature. Are product and process innovations separate, or are they on a continuum? The importance of addressing this issue is that research over the past few decades has attributed Japan's increasing competitiveness to its propensity to process innovate. This paper uses a consumer-based approach to distinguish between process and product innovation using a model based on choice theory. An empirical illustration of the model is also presented. The model is then used to emphasize the need to pursue an integrated strategy of process and product innovation in response to consumer wants. The model also helps managers decide on the appropriate mix of process innovation relative to product innovation for R&D resource allocation purposes.process-product innovation, choice theory, U.S.--Japanese competitiveness, integrated R&D strategy

Efficacy of a recombinant chimeric anti-hCG antibody to prevent human cytotrophoblasts fusion and block progesterone synthesis

Problem: A recombinant chimeric antibody against hCG (cPIPP) has been engineered and expressed at high yield in plants. The purpose of this work was to enquire whether this antibody is competent to neutralize the bioactivity of hCG on human trophoblasts. Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells, isolated from term placentae were maintained in culture for 3 days in presence or absence of humanized chimeric anti-hCG antibodies. Progesterone secreted was quantitated by ELISA. Fusion and cyto-architecture of the cells was studied by light and electron microscopy. Modulation of E-cadherin was investigated using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Results: Recombinant chimeric anti-hCG antibody blocked the synthesis of progesterone by trophoblasts. No fusion of cytotrophoblasts to form syncytium took place. E-cadherin, a vital cell adhesion molecule involved in cell-to-cell interaction did not show differentiation related decline in its expression in presence of the antibody. Conclusion: Recombinant chimeric anti-hCG antibody (cPIPP) was effective to neutralize hCG induced bioactivities in the human derived trophoblast cells

Contraceptive vaccines based on zona pellucida glycoproteins for dogs and other wildlife population management

Zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins, by virtue of their critical role in fertilization, have been proposed as candidate antigens for the development of contraceptive vaccines. In this review, the potential of a ZP-based contraceptive vaccine for the management of wildlife population, with special reference to street dogs, is discussed. Immunization of various animal species, including female dogs, with native porcine ZP led to inhibition of fertility, which was associated with the ovarian dysfunction. Immunization of female dogs with Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant dog ZP glycoprotein-3 (ZP3) either coupled to diphtheria toxoid or expressed as fusion protein with 'promiscuous' T non-B-cell epitope of tetanus toxoid also led to inhibition of fertility. To improve the contraceptive efficacy of ZP-based contraceptive vaccine, various groups are working on improving the immunogen, use of DNA vaccine as prime-boost strategy, and delivering the zona proteins/peptides presented on either virus-like particles or entrapped in microsphere. Host-specific live vectors such as ectromelia virus and cytomegalovirus have also been used to deliver mouse ZP3 in mice. Various studies show the enormous potential of the ZP-based vaccine for the management of wildlife population, where permanent sterilization may be desirable