NanGenex adds bench-top, pilot nano API production tech

01-Sep-2010 - NanGenex is introducing GMP bench-top and pilot plant reactors to scale-up its process for the continuous production of nanostructured active ingredients.

Genzyme rejects Sanofi’s $18.5bn bid; IPT looks at biotech’s turbulent 18-months

31-Aug-2010 - Genzyme has rejected Sanofi-Aventis' $18.5bn (€14.5bn) takeover bid, describing it as offering no improvement in price on the previous proposal and failing “to establish a basis for engagement.”

Spenser highlights chitosan advantages for XR delivery

31-Aug-2010 - Laboratory study shows succinyl-chitosan extended-release (XR) excipient could outperform commercially-available delivery technologies, says Spenser Pharmaceuticals.

Tech could allow more drugs to be delivered transdermally

26-Aug-2010 - Transdermal delivery of a broader range of therapeutics could be possible using microdevice fabrication technology Vyteris inked a deal to access.

News in brief

Biologics market worth $158bn by 2015, new report

19-Aug-2010 - Improving safety and efficacy coupled with drug industry desire for “stronger” patents will drive growth of the biologics sector over the next five years, according to new research.

Scolr cuts losses on reduced R&D spending, Q2 revs down

16-Aug-2010 - Scolr Pharma reduces losses despite drop in revenue by cutting spending on product R&D and operations.

Elan halts EDT sale, again; AD drug into Ph III

11-Aug-2010 - Elan puts plans to sell EDT delivery division on hold because market is not “conducive to an appropriate valuation.”

Vectura licenses dry powder tech to GSK

09-Aug-2010 - Respiratory formulations specialist Vectura has licensed two dry-formulation technologies to GSK, further strengthening its position in the $25bn (€19bn) asthma and COPD market.

J&J unit licenses Depomed drug delivery technology

09-Aug-2010 - A Johnson & Johnson (J&J) unit has licensed a gastric retentive drug delivery technology from Depomed for use in a combination therapy.

Penwest Q2 revs up, but job cuts likely

05-Aug-2010 - Penwest Pharmaceuticals raises guidance citing Opana ER royalties, deals and patent settlements as Q2 highlights; but warns that job cuts likely under cost cutting plan.

Industry view

Regulatory expert insight: Business Processing Outsourcing

04-Aug-2010 - In the first of a series of special in-pharmatechnologist podcasts Kate Wilber, Image Solutions’ (ISI) director of regulatory Services, Europe discusses the emerging trends in BPO and talks about how it can benefit drugmakers.

FDA guidance aims to cut residual drug in delivery patches

03-Aug-2010 - FDA draft guidance published this week recommends manufacturers of drug delivery patches adopt QbD to minimise the amount of excess residual drug.

Mylan plans €67m solid-dose packaging plant in Hungary

28-Jul-2010 - Mylan hopes new solid-dose packaging plant in Hungary will help it increase market share in Eastern Europe.

Group claims Irish COE would create 4,800 jobs

20-Jul-2010 - A group of Irish drug firms and banks plan to set up a “global pharmaceutical centre of excellence” (COE) that they believe will create 4,800 research, development and manufacturing jobs.

Merck Millipore launched after $7bn takover

19-Jul-2010 - Germany’s Merck KGaA has completed its $7bn (€b5.2n) acquisition of Millipore, unveiling plans to target “high-growth, high-margin” bio-research and bio-production markets.

Novel drug delivery capsule receives US and EU patent

15-Jul-2010 - Encap has announced its DuoCap capsule delivery system has been granted US and European patents that strengthen the firm’s portfolio in the delivery of pharmaceutical active agents that require controlled release.

Eurofarma expands capacity with Laborátorios Gautier

08-Jul-2010 - Brazilian generics manufacturer Eurofarma has acquired Uruguay counterpart Laboratorios Gautier, further expanding its reach across Latin America.

BASF Pharma formed to simplify ops

06-Jul-2010 - Chemicals manufacturer BASF reorganises Swiss business to cut active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing site complexity and simplify process operations.

Merck & Co hopes for big win in South Africa

24-Jun-2010 - US drugmaker Merck & Co’s new deal with Adcock Ingram proves the FIFA football World Cup isn’t the only thing attracting people to South Africa this summer.

MonoSol and APR deal puts more drugs on film

10-Jun-2010 - MonoSol Rx and Applied Pharma Research have agreed to expand their working partnership to produce and market current prescription drug products in film form. This method of drug delivery has gained much momentum recently as an innovative and novel form of administering medication.

Shasun Chemical reports net profit for year

02-Jun-2010 - Indian API manufacturer Shasun Chemicals and Drugs turned a previous loss into profit for Q4 of this year as it seeks to make a dent in the biosimilar manufacturing sector.

Financial climate better for potential delivery unit sale, says Elan

01-Jun-2010 - Irish pharmaceutical company Elan says most potential investors are positive about proposal to spin-off drug delivery unit.

EVPM speeds adverse event detection in some cases, study

27-May-2010 - The EMA’s EudraVigilance post-authorisation module (EVPM) speeds detection of adverse drug reactions in some cases, according to a new study published in the journal Drug Safety

Irish drugmakers well placed despite challenges, says PCI

24-May-2010 - The Irish drugmaking sector well-place to proper despite “challenges” as the pharma industry evolves, according to PharmaChemical Ireland (PCI).