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Aspartame safety called into question

28-Jun-2007 - A new study linking aspartame with various cancers has opened the door for interpretation as it calls into question other studies which have suggested the sweetener is anything but dangerous.

Reformulated Rebif right on track

28-Jun-2007 - Merck Serono's revised formulation of its top seller Rebif (interferon beta-1a) that offers improved tolerability for multiple sclerosis sufferers has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

Plant-based insulin to jump to Phase II next year

27-Jun-2007 - Canadian biotech firm SemBioSys Genetics has presented an update on its project to promote plant-derived recombinant human insulin on a commercial scale, expecting to hop directly to Phase II trials early next year.

SkyePharma's controlled release doze gets the nod from Somnus

27-Jun-2007 - SkyePharma's novel controlled-release sleep therapeutic has been licensed by Somnus Therapeutics in an exclusive worldwide development and commercialisation deal.

Soliris gets approval in Europe

27-Jun-2007 - Orphan drug Soliris (eculizumab) has been approved by the European Commission and marks the first therapy for a rare and life-threatening blood disease.

Procter & Gamble looking to outsource API work

27-Jun-2007 - Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced its intention to outsource the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) R&D and manufacturing work undertaken at one of its US factories, with resultant closure of the site and job losses.

Bioxel submits DMF for docetaxel

26-Jun-2007 - Bioxel Pharma is the latest company to submit a Drug Master File (DMF) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for docetaxel in the lead up to the patent expiring on Sanofi-Aventis' version of the cytotoxic chemical at the end of this year.

Once daily Cialis comes up with the goods

26-Jun-2007 - Eli Lilly's once-daily version of its erectile dysfunction treatment Cialis (tadalafil) has been granted approval by the European Commission, giving it a head-start over other ED treatments that are taken on an as-required basis.

Viragen drops transgenics project

25-Jun-2007 - Despite the popularity of transgenics and the potential it is seen to hold for the future of biopharmaceutical production, Viragen has decided to drop development of its OVA system - therapeutic protein production in transgenic hen eggs.

Another solution for long-lasting proteins

25-Jun-2007 - Another company has jumped on the band wagon to find an innovative way to increase the half-life of therapeutic proteins.

ISPE releases revamped API guide

21-Jun-2007 - The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) has published its latest industry guide, a revised edition of its manual providing industry guidance on facilities and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Greenovation receives first US patent for moss technology

21-Jun-2007 - German biotech company, Greenovation has received a broad ranging US patent for its unique moss-based biopharmaceutical production technology.

Novartis' combo hypertension drug approved in US

21-Jun-2007 - Novartis' has received US approval for its single-tablet combination of the world's two most popular hypertension drugs, taking advantage of rival patent expiries and shoring up its portfolio.

Technology for long-acting proteins here to stay

20-Jun-2007 - Modigene has made inroads into its development of long-acting proteins through the use of its Carboxyl Terminal Peptide (CTP) technology.

CuraGen manufacturing plant to close

20-Jun-2007 - CuraGen is shutting its doors on its Connecticut pilot manufacturing facility in a bid to reduce manufacturing capabilities and to focus more on the company's clinical pipeline.

New flu vaccine super-adjuvant enters Phase I

20-Jun-2007 - A novel super adjuvant is to be put to the test as a new seasonal flu vaccine enters Phase I trials, and is expected to offer enhanced immunity and broader protection than other vaccines on the market.

Two pharma latest to catch pandemic preparedness bug

19-Jun-2007 - The US Government is not sneezing at the potential for an influenza pandemic and has awarded two new vaccine manufacturing contracts to keep the sniffles at bay.

Asia beckons DSM anti-infectives

19-Jun-2007 - Dutch ingredients firm DSM has announced plans to carve out its anti-infectives business and boost its presence in Asian markets following a review of the active ingredient unit.

Cosmo gets to the bottom of IBD

19-Jun-2007 - Cosmo Pharmaceuticals is cementing its place in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drug market with eight new drugs in various stages of reformulation using the company's cutting-edge MMX technology, the company announced recently.

To test or not to test? The glycerin debate

14-Jun-2007 - Following last year's contaminated glycerin poisonings in Panama and last month's FDA guidance, US-PharmaTechnologist.com takes a look at the implications of testing for the excipient glycerin in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Lonza leans towards highly potent APIs

13-Jun-2007 - Lonza is building a new plant in its home country to become the only contract manufacturer with large-scale capacity for making highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Solvay ups soda ash production

13-Jun-2007 - Solvay today announced plans to increase production of ultra-pure soda ash at it Dombasle, France, site to meet the growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry.

New triptorelin formulation Phase III cancelled

11-Jun-2007 - Ipsen has cancelled its Phase III trial of its sustained-release formulation of triptorelin while it attempts to fine-tune the manufacturing process of the hormone therapy drug.

Intranasal NSAID a first for pain relief

07-Jun-2007 - The first ever non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to be delivered via the nose has been developed, and its makers are heralding it as "an important breakthrough in treating pain".

Recombinant Protein A supply for 4 years

07-Jun-2007 - Applied Biosystems has entered into a four-year supply agreement with Repligen to receive recombinant Protein A.

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