Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology

Patheon overview - a look at what Lonza would gain

10-Sep-2009 - With Lonza and JLL competing over Patheon Outsourcing-Pharma looks at what the CMO offers to a prospective buyer, analysing its global manufacturing capacity and backlog using interactive maps and graphs.

Solvay cell-based vaccine facility validated

09-Sep-2009 - Dutch authorities have completed validation of Solvay Biologicals cell-based production facility which the company will use to meet growing worldwide demand for influenza vaccines.

Encap targets growth opportunities in colonic delivery

08-Sep-2009 - CMO Encap has expanded its colonic delivery offering and is combining the technology with liquid dosage forms to provide clients with a way to administer a wide range of therapeutics to the region.

Novavax’ VLP delivery tech could accelerate H1N1 vacc production

08-Sep-2009 - Novavax’ VLP delivery system has been the subject of industry excitement this week after the US firm released Ph II data showing that a combination seasonal influenza vaccine based on the technology is effective and well tolerated.

Slump bad for North American APIs, but biotech to lead recovery

07-Sep-2009 - The global economic crisis has drastically reduced the growth of the North America API market, but brighter days are ahead according to new research by Global Markets Direct (GMD).

Controlled-release can deliver for generics firms, says Espicom

03-Sep-2009 - Wyeth’s battles to protect the controlled-release (CR) version of its anti-depressant Effexor are a sign of things to come according to a new Espicom report identifying 30 CR drugs likely to face competition.

News in brief

Novartis buys HySolv technology from BTG

02-Sep-2009 - Swiss drug major Novartis will UK specialty pharma firm BTG up to $10m (€7m) for its HySolv drug delivery technology.

News in brief

BASF hikes carboxylic acid prices in Europe

31-Aug-2009 - German chemicals manufacturer BASF has raised the price of two of its range of carboxylic acids, as part of a round of increases.

Durect and King sign long-term Remoxy excipient supply deal

31-Aug-2009 - Chemicals firm Durect will supply drugmaker King Pharmaceuticals with two excipients used in the manufacture of the candidate anti-abuse painkiller Remoxy in an agreement signed last week.

Silence collaborating on AtuRNAi drug delivery tech

27-Aug-2009 - Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma has entered into a collaboration to develop Silence Therapeutics’ AtuRNAi delivery technology which improves stability, cut manufacturing costs and increase stability.

Mantecorp installs tech to cut energy use

26-Aug-2009 - Mantecorp is using the Control and Communication Link (CC-Link) open fieldbus network to improve the environmental credentials of its facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cambrex’ Milan API plant gets FDA warning

25-Aug-2009 - US chemicals maker Cambrex will hope an FDA warning letter concerning its Italian manufacturing plant will not increase the pressure on its generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) business.

Microneedle patch could boost compliance

24-Aug-2009 - Researchers have presented new microneedle drug delivery patches, which, using technology developed in the electronics sector, could improve compliance and treat ocular diseases.

Tobacco used for cheap, quick production

20-Aug-2009 - Researchers claim tobacco plants provide an economical method of manufacturing norovirus vaccine, a product that would have low profit margins, and achieve commercial scale in two to four months.

Perrigo acts to cut API costs

19-Aug-2009 - Perrigo’s API business posted a $5.4m (€3.8m) operating loss in Q4 because of restructuring charges but it believes vertically integrating production, and opening a site in India, will help in coming years.

AsahiKasei rolls out new Swelstar excipients

18-Aug-2009 - Asahikasei’s chemicals unit has launched three new grades of pre-gelatinized starch excipients that it claims have broad application in the control of drug release, stability and disintegration.

PCAS joint venture sets up US kilolab

18-Aug-2009 - PCAS is setting up a kilolab in California, US to target the small-scale synthesis market, which it believes will benefit its large-scale operations by establishing relationships earlier in development.

Dry powder vaccine nears Phase I

18-Aug-2009 - A dry powder measles vaccine formulation and inhalers that could be as affordable as needle treatments are due to enter Phase I in 2010, according to researchers at the ACS meeting.

Aurobindo enters injectables market with Trident deal

17-Aug-2009 - Generic drugmaker Aurobindo Pharma will add liquid-injectables to its roster of manufacturing capabilities with the purchase of fellow Indian firm Trident Life Sciences (TLSL).

LSO trials light activated cancer treatment

13-Aug-2009 - Light Sciences Oncology (LSO) has begun treating the first patient in a Phase I trial of Aptocine (alaporfin sodium), a drug activated by an LED device inserted into a tumour.

Dendreon expands manufacturing ops

12-Aug-2009 - There has been a blitz of activity at Dendreon following publication of positive trial data, with the company signing two leases for manufacturing facilities and beginning expanding an existing site.

Aptamers used for targeted cancer treatment

11-Aug-2009 - Researchers have developed a drug delivery vehicle using liposomes and aptamers that targets specific cancer cells and can be switched off to stop adverse reactions.

News in brief

Synthetech posts 220% rise in Q1 op income

11-Aug-2009 - The declining cost of raw materials helped Synthetech post a 220 per cent increase in operating income in the first quarter of its fiscal year, despite its revenues dropping.

Emergent buying & selling facilities

10-Aug-2009 - Emergent BioSolutions believes it can reduce its debt, cut operating expenses and gain more flexible production capacity by reorganising its manufacturing operations.