Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology

Administrators attempting to sell UK's Jaycare

Administrators are now trying to sell Jaycare, a UK custom manufacturer and supplier of rigid plastic packaging, medical devices and technical componentry to the pharma and healthcare industries, which has gone bust.

Ditch batch: continuous is the future

At this week's Informex show in New Orleans, experts at a packed out session discussed the potential of up-and-coming continuous processing technologies and posed the question: is batch processing yesterday's technology?

Prosonix lands exclusive particle engineering tech

UK firm Prosonix has teamed up with defence specialist Rafael, exclusively licensing the firm's ultrasonic particle engineering technology to bolster its position in the process chemistry market.

Catalent, SSI are Biogen's ePedigree chums

US contract manufacturer Catalent Pharma Solutions has leveraged its partnership with Secure Symbology (SSI) for track and trace barcode technology to help biopharmaceutical company Biogen Idec comply with California's pending ePedigree law.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: people on the move

Allos Therapeutics, Inovio Biomedical, Cortegra and Genetix have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

RedEye Patch keeps oxygen covered

A new, non-invasive device for monitoring oxygen content in packaging and other enclosed containers has been launched by US optical sensing specialist Ocean Optics.

Taking hormones out of the water

US researchers have developed a method of treating waste water that is effective in stripping out hormonal compounds thought to arise from the use and manufacturing of contraceptives and other pharmaceutical and industrial products.

Real time tablet testing OK for continuous processing

A non-destructive method of carrying out a series of tests on solid dosage forms, developed by UK firm Teraview, can be carried out in real time on the production line and could be used in continuous processing systems, according to a new study.

Merck wants more of SurModics' eye delivery tech

Merck & Co has expanded its licensing agreement with SurModics in a further endorsement of the latter's I-vation drug delivery system for eye diseases.

Pfizer reveals latest Exubera casualties

660 Pfizer employees are the latest casualties of the drug giant's failed bid to capture the diabetes market with its once-touted blockbuster, Exubera.

SOS: save our solvent!

In any laboratory, or indeed in any pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, one of the major expenses will be solvents. And just like the price of petrol and diesel it just keeps going up and up. Huw Kidwell examines how a new recycling approach could keep costs down and help protect the environment to boot.

Contract downturns cause Catalent cutbacks

Unexpected contract downturns have resulted in Catalent Pharma Solutions having to lay off 100 workers at its soft gelatin capsules facility in St Petersburg, Florida.

Rhodium catalysts speed up drug synthesis

In the world of chemistry the majority of reactions are well known and have been around for a very long time producing similar compounds. It is not very often that a completely new reaction methodology comes along which can turn something like chiral chemistry on its head. However this is the case with a series of rhodium (II) based chiral catalysts developed by US researchers.

Wyeth warns of job cut woes

Wyeth is the latest big pharma firm to warn that major job cuts are on the cards, amidst a series of drug approval setbacks and generic erosion on profits.

Moxatag approval a crucial first for MiddleBrook

MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals secured a crucial endorsement for its Pulsys oral drug delivery system last week when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the company's lead pipeline product, Moxatag, as a once-daily treatment for pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and adolescents.

UAE's first pharma 3PL provider springs up

A new enterprise in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is establishing itself as the region's first pharmaceutical-focused third party logistics (3PL) provider.

Acquisitions pay off for Novozymes ingredients in 2007

The small but fast-growing biopharmaceutical ingredients (BPI) business of Denmark's Novozymes, the leading manufacturer of industrial enzymes worldwide, delivered a strong performance in 2007, with sales rising 67 per cent despite a sharp decline in the fourth quarter.

Singapore's biomedical manufacturing down a third in December

Another sharp decline in biomedical production saw overall manufacturing output in Singapore fall for the second month running in December, prompting fears that the heavily trade-reliant economy could buckle under a looming US recession.

Bio-succinic acid to go commercial

With the price of crude oil going up almost every day it is no surprise that this has a knock-on effect to the price of raw materials for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. But DSM and Roquette have developed a process that could avoid the reliance on crude oil for succinic acid, a simple but very useful pharmaceutical starting material, promising cheaper and greener supplies.

Contract manufacturing news in brief

KBI Biopharma, Helix BioMedix and Azopharma have all recently announced new contract manufacturing news.

Nabi up for sale, merger

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals this week announced that is considering a possible sale or merger of the company, with 'multiple entities' apparently interested in the business.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: people on the move

Codexis, NanoInk, HepaLife, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals and Calibrant Biosystems have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Lonza looks to the future as it reveals 2007 profit hike

Lonza has revealed a profit hike for the full year of 2007, reflecting the fruit of its "revised growth strategies" across its business units, said the firm, which also announced its "innovations" for future growth and the signing of a new Sanofi Pasteur deal.

Invetech commits to tackle US market

Australia-based Invetech has committed itself to tackling the US market, opening up its first facility in the country - home of the world's largest drug industry.

Teva jumps on biologics bandwagon with $400m buy

Israeli generics behemoth Teva is following the market and banking on the promise of biologics with its purchase of Human Genome Sciences biotech spin-off, CoGenesys.

New HPAPI plant for Novasep

French firm Novasep has significantly upped its capacity with a new high potency active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) plant at its facility in Le Mans, France.

Bosch opens India packaging plant to boost sales, sourcing

Bosch Packaging has opened a new manufacturing facility in Goa, India, to cater to its growing customer base in the booming emerging market and increase sourcing for its European headquarters.

BMS mothballs another Puerto Rico Plant

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has revealed plans to close another site in Puerto Rico in its latest cost-cutting move.

Tekturna combo gets US OK

Novartis has announced the US approval of its first-in-class blood pressure med Tekturna (aliskiren) combined with a diuretic in a single-tablet formulation.

Funding boost for innovative VacciMax platform

Canadian vaccine specialist ImmunoVaccine Technologies (IVT) has scored a multi-million dollar grant to go towards developing its potent immune enhancement systems.

Roche ramps up biotech

Roche has announced major investments at three of its European sites, continuing its drive to strengthen its position in the biopharmaceutical market.

Medegen enters Mexico

California-based Medegen has opened a new facility in Mexico to meet the 'heightened demand' for outsourced contract manufacturing.

Actavis snaps up Pfizer plant

Icelandic generics firm Actavis is the proud new owner of Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Nerviano, Italy.

FDA considering establishing Indian presence

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering establishing a presence in India, amidst the country's growing ties with the US pharma industry.

Outsourcing 'instrumental' in healthcare

Outsourcing will be seen as being "instrumental" in the eyes of healthcare and biopharma firms this year as the focus on cost reduction continues to increase, according to a new report.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: news in brief

In-PharmaTechnologist.com brings you a selection of recent headlines from around the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: people on the move

Neurocrine, Mersana Therapeutics, ISPE and Nastech have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

EC launches major pharma industry probe

The European Commission has launched an investigation into the entire European pharmaceutical sector, with surprise raids on a number of manufacturers in a bid to unearth any evidence of foul-play hampering the launch of new medicines on the market.

Sartorius Stedim inks deal, closes plant

Processing specialist Sartorius Stedim Biotech today announced a cooperation and supply deal with systems manufacturing firm Paul Mueller Company for the US market, with a production facility in Pennsylvania set to close as a result.

Wyeth site rescued by new start-up firm

Wyeth's manufacturing facility in Rouses Point, New York, has been spared the scrap heap, with yesterday's announcement that new pharma player Akrimax has bought up the beleaguered site.

Contract manufacturing news in brief

AMRI, Pharmaceutics International, Celitrion and Gland Pharma have all recently generated new contract manufacturing news.

SAFC boosts biologics

SAFC is still on its expansion drive, with yet another multi-million dollar investment announced this week, this time at the company's niche biologics plant in Carlsbad, California.

Artes, Minapharm in protein pact

German firm Artes announced a new collaboration with Rhein Minapharm Biogenetics to develop three therapeutic proteins.

Novo drops inhaled insulin plans in post-Exubera fallout

Mere months after Pfizer's high profile exit from the inhaled insulin market in the wake of Exubera's much publicised market failure, Novo Nordisk announced late last night that it, too, has decided to halt development of its inhaled insulin product.

US bid approaches for Whatman send share price sky high

UK separation technology specialists Whatman has confirmed it has received a number of preliminary approaches for the firm, sending its shares rocketing up.

Former ICOS plant finds new home with Saltigo

Chemical and intermediates firm Lanxess has announced that its subsidiary Saltigo is the proud new owner of a site in Washington in the US, formerly used by Eli Lilly subsidiary, ICOS.

Funding shot for cell-based vaccines

A major grant has been awarded to a UK consortium working to develop predictive manufacturing tools for cell-based cancer vaccines.

Cambrex makes Estonian API biz buy

Cambrex' Swedish arm has agreed to purchase ProSyntest, an Estonian active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) research and development company.

Thousands of rodents saved from drug testing

Thousands of rodents lives will be saved each year after a specific animal test is being scrapped following a review by 18 pharmaceutical companies.

bioMerieux shifts to France

Diagnostics firm bioMérieux has announced plans to shift activities at its facility in the Netherlands to France, shutting down the Dutch site as it continues to haemorrhage cash.

Teva earmarks $1bn for India plans

The world's generics titan, Teva, has reportedly earmarked over $1bn to fuel an ambitious plan to broaden its presence in India.

JAMA article boosts Novartis meningitis jab

Novartis has been keen to shout about data published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that backs up claims that it has developed the first vaccine to protect infants against the most common meningitis subgroups.

BioAlliance buccal tab making way across EU

BioAlliance Pharma has gained marketing authorisation for its novel muco-adhesive antifungal tablet in the UK and Denmark, triggering a €2.5m payment and marching on with the drug's launch across Europe.

Into Africa - Roche expands HIV tech transfer

Roche today announced a handful of new charitable technology transfer agreements with manufacturers in Africa and Asia, allowing local production of generic HIV drugs.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: people on the move

Draxis, Intertech Bio, Relypsa, Ikaria Holdings and BioReliance have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

US approval for once daily Cialis

Eli Lilly's once-a-day version of its erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment Cialis (tadalafil) has finally got the go ahead from US regulators, six months after approval in the EU.

Millipore promises pure biologics

Millipore has announced the first fruit of its collaboration with testing specialist Gen-Probe, with the launch of a new contaminant detection system for biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

April 1 cut-off for cold and flu meds

Pharmacies in the UK would indeed be foolish to ignore new restrictions on nasal decongestants that will become law as of April 1, 2008.

Antares lands fourth Teva deal

Drug delivery specialist Antares Pharma has landed its fourth deal with Israeli generics behemoth Teva, this time to develop a novel pen injector for two Teva products.

Contract manufacturing news in brief

Pfizer, Hyaluron Contract Manufacturing and DSM have all recently generated new contract manufacturing news.

Roquette and Biogrund to bring starch based film coatings to market

A starch-based film coating for nutraceuticals which can be tailored to manufacturer's needs is being developed through a strategic partnership by Roquette and Biogrund.

Crucell, Sanofi mix it up with rabies cocktail deal

Dutch firm Crucell last week announced that it has entered into an agreement with vaccine specialist Sanofi Pasteur for its next generation rabies antibody cocktail.

Weekly Comment

Warding off the generic attack

A recent report has detailed the challenges facing the pharma industry as the generic flood gates open, with the constant advice to start planning early still apparently not heeded by a bewildering number of firms.

India can dominate global pharma landscape

Although India 'has carved out a significant portion of the world pharma pie', an enormous change in mindset is needed if the country is to become a global pharmaceutical hub, according to a new report from KPMG.

Drug industry spend twice as much on marketing as on R&D

The pharma industry spends almost twice as much promoting its drugs as it does trying to develop them, according to a new study.

Model checks out how biosensors shape up

A group of US researchers have developed a new computer model to study and design miniature biosensors, which could help life scientists perfect lab-on-a-chip technology.

FDA approval for Skye, Sciele blood pressure med

Despite a two month extension of the PDUFA date by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sciele and SkyePharma this week announced the approval of their controlled release formulation of high blood pressure drug Sular (nisoldipine).

Pharma packagers all wrapped up

Several pharmaceutical packaging players completed deals in time for the holidays, with Schott, Gerresheimer and Alcoa all announcing developments in the closing days of 2007.

Merck divests API plant; hands out large contract

Merck & Co has handed the reins of one of its US active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facilities over to new a owner, who has also secured a lucrative contract manufacturing deal with the drug giant.

A drug cocktail to bust brain tumours

A team of US researchers have uncovered a cocktail of three drugs that could be effective at treating every patient with a particular type of brain cancer that typically has a dismal prognosis.

Fine Foods extends within pharma

Italy's Fine Foods has purchased a domestic contract manufacturer operating in the pharmaceutical arena, extending its presence in this industry.

More pharmas implicated in Iraq bribery probe

While GSK, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly have hit the headlines in the UK Serious Fraud Office's (SFO) investigation into illegal bribes paid to Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime, many more pharma firms are on the organisation's hit list.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing: people on the move

Applied Biosystems, Pharmos, Pearl Therapeutics, Pacira Pharmaceuticals and Covance have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.