Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology

Xspray grows with demand for manufacturing tech

28-Apr-2009 - Xspray has doubled its personnel and laboratory space in response to demand for its manufacturing service, which is designed to overcome the drawbacks associated with micronisation.

Hovione shows off Irish API plant

23-Apr-2009 - API maker Hovione’s manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland was unveiled at an opening ceremony yesterday just two weeks after the previous owner, global drug giant Pfizer, formally handed over the keys.

Trial of nanoparticle delivered anti-cancer gene progresses

23-Apr-2009 - Research has been presented on the first Phase I trials of a systemic, non-viral, targeted nanoparticle that delivers a p53 tumour suppressor gene to combat cancer.

Sinobipharma claims manufacturing first with capsule perindopril

22-Apr-2009 - Sinobiopharma is seeking a Chinese patent covering the manufacture of capsule forms of the heart drug perindopril, claiming it is the first company in the world to produce the medication in this easy to swallow format.

IntelGenx furthers novel antihypertensive formulation

22-Apr-2009 - IntelGenx’ clinical pilot study indicates the bioequivalence of a leading antihypertensive and its product, which has been developed using its multilayer Versatab delivery technology.

Sanofi investment targets China’s diabetes market

21-Apr-2009 - Sanofi-Aventis is investing a further $90m in its Chinese manufacturing facility and performing “the world’s largest diabetes genotyping project” in partnership with the Chinese Diabetes Society.

News in brief

Actavis reintroduces products after FDA inspection

20-Apr-2009 - Actavis has reintroduced Oxycodone 15 mg and 30 mg tablets to the US market having resolved the manufacturing difficulties discovered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA approves high titre manufacture of Tysabri

20-Apr-2009 - The FDA has approved Biogen Idec to manufacture Tysabri using a high titre process but the product’s sales have been “negatively impacted” by the cases of patients developing PML.

Zealand licenses Vyteris’ transdermal patch

16-Apr-2009 - The drive to license needle-free delivery methods continues with Zealand Pharma signing a deal to use its peptide optimisation technology with Vyteris’ controlled transdermal patch.

News in brief

Asahi launches high-compactable MCC excipient

15-Apr-2009 - Asahi Kasei has added to its range of excipients through the launch of Ceolus UF-711, which it claims is the first high-compactable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) that makes tablets smaller.

Phylogica targets intranasal peptide delivery

14-Apr-2009 - Phylogica is developing formulations of its Phylomer peptides using Aegis Therapeutics’ Intravail absorption enhancers, which enable transmucosal drug delivery.

South Korea pulls 1,000 asbestos tainted drugs from shelves

09-Apr-2009 - South Korean drug regulators have ordered the recall of 1,222 medical products and pharmaceuticals that may contain asbestos-tainted talcum powder.

POM formulation offers pH-responsive targeted colon delivery

09-Apr-2009 - Researchers have developed a pH-responsive formulation that could be used to deliver a polyoxometalate (POM), which have broad spectrum anticancer and antiviral properties, to the colon.

News in brief

Aspen software a “step-change” in modelling

08-Apr-2009 - Aspen Technology has launched an updated version of its aspenONE software, which it claims can accelerate batch process development and cut manufacturing costs.

Time of rapid change in fine chemicals supply, says SAFC

07-Apr-2009 - Tom Beil, SAFC’s VP of Quality and Regulatory affairs, whose talk on fine chemicals supply was a highlight of last month's DCAT week, spoke with in-PharmaTechnologist about the benefits and risks of working with global suppliers.

Researchers shed light on MRSA treatment

07-Apr-2009 - MRSA could be treated through a combination of an antimicrobial drug, a peptide and light, according to researchers who have hailed the treatment as a “magic bullet”.

Altea inks deal to use Byetta with PassPort patch

02-Apr-2009 - The search for more convenient diabetes treatments continues, with Altea Therapeutics reaching a $46m agreement with Eli Lilly and Amylin to develop a transdermal patch administering Byetta.

Pharming economical for HIV microbicide production; study

02-Apr-2009 - Researchers have used plants from the tobacco family as a large-scale, cost-effective method of producing a HIV inhibitor, which could lead to the creation of a female controlled intervention to stop viral transmission.

Nanoparticles created to boost probucol solubility

01-Apr-2009 - Researchers have created nanoparticles to increase the solubility of probucol, a nearly insoluble drug used to reduce cholesterol, with a technique that could be used for other drugs.

Deal bags Flugen a vaccine delivery micro-device

31-Mar-2009 - Flugen has secured the exclusive rights to Ratio’s novel vaccine delivery technology, which is a disposable micro-device that it claims can improve efficacy and compliance.

SAFC’s Kansas culture site goes animal component-free

30-Mar-2009 - Operations at SAFC Biosciences’ facility in Kansas, US have been made animal component-free (ACF) under a division-wide strategy to keep pace with customer demands and changing regulations.

Indian plants offer new source for Tamiflu precursor

30-Mar-2009 - Researchers believe they have found “more promising” sources of shikimic acid, a precursor in the production of Tamiflu, shortages of which have previously caused bottlenecks in producing the bird flu vaccine.

Global Federation will “speak as one”, says IPEC Europe chair

26-Mar-2009 - The International Pharmaceutical Excipient Council (IPEC) has unveiled plans to set up a worldwide Federation later this year to address the increasingly global excipient supply chain.

IPECs may emerge in Latin America, India

16-Mar-2009 - The International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council (IPEC) – currently represented by divisions in Europe, the Americas, Japan and China – could see sister organisations open up in Latin America and India in the coming months.