Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for isolating and/or purifying one or more taxanes from materials comprising taxanes. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) treating a taxane containing material with an amino containing material attached to a solid matrix, such as a polyethyleneimine-bonded silica chromatographic resin; (b) eluting the desired taxane compound from the resin; and (c) recovering the eluted taxane compound.

Abstract: A process for harvesting yew biomass and a process of making Yew pellets from Yew tree material is disclosed herein. The process for harvesting comprising the steps of (i) harvesting the tops or roots of the Yew tree; (ii) washing the harvested material; (iii) drying the harvested material; and (iv) grinding the harvested material into a fine powder. The process for making Yew pellets comprising the steps of (i) adding from about 1% to about 20% w/w water to the Yew tree material; and (ii) compressing the Yew tree material in a die to form a pellet whereby the resulting pellet has a final moisture content of less than 10% by weight. The yew pellets produced herein are suitable for extracting taxane molecules from the pellets.

Abstract: A laser system (10) is disclosed comprising a laser device (1) for emitting laser radiation and an optical fiber (2) adapted to connect, in use, to the laser device (1) for delivering the laser radiation. The optical fibre contains a label (3), such as an RF identification tag, a barcode or a colour code. The laser device (1) interrogates the optical fibre (2) and receives information back from the optical fibre (2). If the usage of the optical fibre (2) has exceeded safety limits then the laser device (1) may be prevented from operating. The laser device (1) on receiving information from the optical fibre (2) may also be configured to deliver laser radiation having a specific power, pulse width, pulse interval and treatment duration.