Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology

BASF talks novel excipients

18-Nov-2009 - The FDA encourages innovation in excipients to develop new drugs or improve approved therapeutics and IPEC is helping to drive acceptance of these novel products, according to BASF.

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GBM trial to deliver Avastin across BBB

18-Nov-2009 - Neurosurgeons have developed and used a novel intra-arterial (IA) technique to deliver Avastin (bevacizumab) directly into a malignant brain tumour, potentially administering a higher dose with reduced toxicity.

Colorcon rolls out On-Dose ID anti-counterfeiting tech

17-Nov-2009 - Colorcon has met US FDA calls for PCIDs to combat fake drugs with the mark On-Dose ID labelling technology for tablet coatings.

Cafosa launches gum delivery excipient

17-Nov-2009 - Spanish ingredient supplier Cafosa has launched a new directly compressible pharmaceutical excipient for medicated chewing gums that, it claims, can boost patient compliance.

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ISP launches excipient website

12-Nov-2009 - ISP Pharmaceuticals hopes its new excipient focussed web resource will help the drug industry formulate “the next generation” pharmaceuticals.

Galenix and DSM sign manufacturing and marketing accord

12-Nov-2009 - French drug delivery specialist Galenix has named DSM’s pharmaceutical products unit as its manufacturing and co-marketing partner as it continues to efforts build its global presence.

Genmab selling plant and turning to CMOs

10-Nov-2009 - Genmab has put its Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, US facility up for sale, which will reduce its headcount by 300, and plans to use CMOs to cover for the loss of capacity.

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Dow launches low aldehyde PEG

10-Nov-2009 - Dow has used AAPS 2009 to launch low aldehyde grades of its Carbowax Sentry PEG, which are niche products aimed at formulators seeking to improve shelf life.

BASF’s Kollicoat of many colours

09-Nov-2009 - BASF says the new coloured tablet extension to its Kollicoat IR coating polymer will help manufacturers produce patient-friendly pills.

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USP revised glycol and sorbitol monographs published.

09-Nov-2009 - New US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) monographs designed to prevent adulteration of key excipients with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) have been published ahead of their official implementation date in February.

Catalent unveils ulta-sensitive melamine test for drugs

05-Nov-2009 - US contract services firm Catalent has launched a new test service capable of detecting trace amounts of the toxic chemical melamine in pharmaceuticals.

Abraxis dedicates nanobiologics site

05-Nov-2009 - Abraxis Health has dedicated its manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona, US which is the result of a $70m (€47m) investment to give the company the nanotech and biologics capacity needed for Abraxane production.

Genzyme targets BBB

04-Nov-2009 - Genzyme is evaluating to-BBB’s G-Technology as part of a research collaboration aimed at developing treatments capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Penn completes phase one of Tredegar plant expansion

03-Nov-2009 - Welsh contract services firm Penn Pharmaceuticals has reorganised its transport and delivery infrastructure in the first phase of a £12m (€13.3m) expansion at its facility in Tredegar.

Novartis invests in China

03-Nov-2009 - Novartis is investing $250m (€170m) to construct a facility in China focused on research, development and manufacture of APIs and has earmarked a further $1bn to expand its R&D activities in the country.

Lonza cuts 2009 guidance 14% and plans workforce cuts

02-Nov-2009 - Lonza cuts 2009 earning guidance and may reduce its workforce under “Project Bond” cost cutting plan after a Q3 characterized by an “accumulation of unexpected events”

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Phoenix helps closed Shasun plant rise from the “ashes”

02-Nov-2009 - Phoenix Chemicals will re-open a chemicals manufacturing plant in Scotland less than a year after it was closed by former owner Shasun Pharma Solutions.

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Korsch and ACG set up tabletting machine JV

27-Oct-2009 - German compression technology specialist Korsch says its JV with ACG Worldwide (ACG) helps meet growing global demand for tabletting machines.

Hovione adds aseptic spray drying to offering

26-Oct-2009 - Portuguese CMO Hovione has bought an aseptic spray-drying line from US firm Acusphere and says that the demand for the technology is increasing as drug firms aim to boost bioavailability.

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Micromeritics opens new European HQ

26-Oct-2009 - Micromeritics says its new European headquarters in Germany is better positioned to serve its expanding client base in the region.

Novavax increasing H1N1 vaccine production

26-Oct-2009 - Novavax has entered into a deal with Xcellerex to boost production of its H1N1 vaccine, which is entering clinical trials in Mexico, using the CMO’s FlexFactory disposable biomanufacturing platform.

Soluplus launched as market for HME excipients heats up

22-Oct-2009 - BASF says its new Soluplus excipient will help meet demand for solubilising agents that are compatible with hot melt extrusion (HME) manufacturing methods.

APC’s new R&D unit to focus on complex peptides

21-Oct-2009 - The American Peptide Company (APC) plans to set up an R&D unit at its facility in Sunnydale, California to better serve growing demand for innovative technologies.

Valois discusses what patients want from a device

20-Oct-2009 - Patients want nasal delivery devices that are portable, hygienic and can be used discretely, according to a director at Valois who delivered a talk on the company’s side-actuated product at CPhI 2009.