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Pfizer expands into biologics

22-Aug-2007 - Pfizer announced today it is breaking ground on a $50m expansion of its biologics pilot plant in Chesterfield in a move that comes at time when the drug giant is cutting back in other business areas.

Solvay 'still on path' for Creon

21-Aug-2007 - Solvay Pharmaceuticals still believed it was on track for meeting US regulatory deadlines for pancreatic insufficiency drugs despite receiving an approvable letter for its own newly formulated drug Creon.

First ever once-a-year osteoporosis drug approved

21-Aug-2007 - Swiss firm Novartis has gained US approval of its once-yearly treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis, with EU approval expected to follow hot on its heels.

Millipore, Novo strengthen insulin pact

16-Aug-2007 - Danish diabetes care specialist Novo Nordisk has expanded an agreement with biotech supplier Millipore, granting exclusive, long-term distribution rights to the company's insulin products for cell culture applications.

SWATT team helps double flu vaccine output

14-Aug-2007 - A Canadian firm that has developed a technology to double the amount of flu virus obtained during traditional egg-based vaccine production is launching a dedicated team to help manufacturers implement the platform and ramp up their production capabilities.

Mouthwash reformulation delays US launch

14-Aug-2007 - The US launch of the hotly touted, next-generation mouthwash, Decapinol, has stalled following the decision to reformulate the US product as a "precautionary measure".

Hikma makes inroads into Egyptian pharma market

13-Aug-2007 - UK Hikma Pharmaceuticals has acquired Egyptian pharmaceutical company Alkan Pharma in a deal worth $60.5m (€44.2m), and establishes the London-based company in the Egyptian market.

LifeCycle gets fenofibrate approval in US

13-Aug-2007 - The lowest formulated dose of cholesterol-busting fenofibrate has been approved for the US market using a new formulation platform.

NIAID awards vaccine contracts

09-Aug-2007 - Two US life sciences companies have been awarded contracts from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to develop vaccines.

GSK disppointment at FDA Advair decision

09-Aug-2007 - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has suffered a blow in the advance of its top selling pharma drug Advair after US regulators issued a not approvable letter for an increased strength in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

GSK increases H5N1 vaccine presence in US

07-Aug-2007 - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is bolstering its pandemic H5N1 vaccine presence in the US after being awarded a contract to provide 22.5 million doses of bulk antigen to the US stockpile while launching clinical trials for its adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine.

QDose closes in on Exubera

07-Aug-2007 - An improved inhalable insulin product developed by collaborating UK and US firms has just completed a glucose clamp study in the US, with results suggesting that the product could pose a significant threat to Pfizer's Exubera franchise.

Vesanoid with bovine-derived material recalled in Japan

06-Aug-2007 - Japan's Chugai Pharmaceuticals is voluntarily recalling almost 2000 bottles of Vesanoid capsules (tretinoin) after the drug was found to contain unapproved bovine-derived material from Canada.

Brookwood delivers for SurModics

02-Aug-2007 - US firm SurModics has acquired fellow drug delivery specialist Brookwood Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to $62m.

Invitrogen Q2 growth strong

02-Aug-2007 - Invitrogen has announced its second quarter financial results with the BioDiscovery business unit showing a greater than expected growth.

Lonza pushes biopharma portfolio

02-Aug-2007 - Switzerland-based Lonza is establishing its biopharma portfolio with the acquisition of Zyentia's Aggresolve technology this week.

First ever non-contact process protects film-coated tabs

02-Aug-2007 - Solid-dose specialist Colorcon has hooked up with materials science firm DataLase to develop a new no-touch on-tablet marking technique specifically for film-coated tablets, helping to defend branded tabs from counterfeiting attempts and protect patient safety.

Wyeth positive about Pristiq

01-Aug-2007 - Wyeth executives are remaining positive Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) will eventually be approved as a treatment both for depression and vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause despite recent setbacks.

GPC Biotech withdraws satraplatin NDA

01-Aug-2007 - GPC Biotech has withdrawn its hotly touted satraplatin New Drug Application (NDA) for accelerated approval following last week's less than glowing recommendation to hold off on its approval.

Membrane closure designed for convenience

31-Jul-2007 - A new peelable membrane closure for heat-and-eat food is designed for convenience and to withstand thermal processing.

'Super Combination Traveler's Vaccine' looking promising

31-Jul-2007 - The concept of a "Super Combination Traveler's Vaccine" has come one step closer to reality with the initiation of a Phase II study on a single dose, oral typhoid fever vaccine.

TB booster vaccine enters Phase II

30-Jul-2007 - A new booster vaccine aimed to up the immune response against tuberculosis (TB) has entered Phase II trials in South Africa.

Patent promise for oral insulin tablet tech

30-Jul-2007 - A novel drug delivery technology capable of delivering large molecules in oral tablet form is set to gain patent protection in a number of countries through an international patent treaty.

Frustration for GPC oral cancer drug

26-Jul-2007 - GPC Biotech was dealt a blow this week as an advisory committee recommended that regulatory bodies should hold off on approval of a novel oral formulation of a platinum-based cancer drug.

Disappointment for Biovail bupropion plans

25-Jul-2007 - Biovail has this week sought to reassure its investors after the news that US regulators issued the company with a Non Approval letter for its new bupropion salt anti-depressant.

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