Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology
All news articles > February 2007
| « Previous month | Next month » |
28-Feb-2007
New service to protect packaged pharmaceutical products
Multisorb Technologies has introduced a new advanced simulation service to help pharmaceutical companies determine the precise amount of sorbent needed in their packaging to protect products from moisture and degradation.
European Commission to revamp drug safety monitoring system
The European Commission has announced it plans to revamp the current EU drug safety monitoring system in order to make it more efficient.
UK firms join forces for spray device testing
UK firms Melbourn Scientific and Copley Scientific have agreed to collaborate on developing novel methods of testing the force of nasal sprays and metered-dose inhalers (MDIs).
Aptuit embarks on $100m spending spree
Drug development services provider Aptuit has announced it is about to invest $100m to expand its operations, just a few weeks after completing two major acquisitions.
Contract biomanufacturing market continues to climb
The biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing sector is set to expand substantially in the next few years as biotech companies increasingly rely on outsourcing to improve efficiency and reduce costs, new research suggests.
Cell preservation technology could reduce animal experiments
A technology designed to preserve living cells for longer could significantly reduce the number of animals used in medical research, according to its creators Abcellute.
Space-saving ceiling-mounted robot
Adept Technology has introduced a ceiling-mounted version of its s800 series Cobra robot. The inverted robot offers high-speed packaging and assembly with a wider reach, while leaving a much clearer working area.
Baxter given the go-ahead for banned infusion pump
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Baxter Healthcare the go ahead for a modified version of the company's Colleague volumetric infusion pump that was the subject of FDA recalls and seizures in 2005 following patient deaths and injuries.
27-Feb-2007
Sweden next to be hit by AstraZeneca job cuts
850 jobs are set to be cut across AstraZeneca's Swedish sites, on top of the previously announced 450 already due to be lost in the country over the course of 2007.
Ajinomoto ups L-Arginine price
Amino acid manufacturer Ajinomoto Aminoscience announced that increasing raw material and energy costs have driven the company to increase prices of its L-Arginine products by $1/ kg (€0.76/kg).
Nicholas Piramal announces funding for planned US assault
Nicholas Piramal has announced it will spend $50m (€38m) on its formulations services business over the next three years, part of which will be used to fund its planned assault on the US.
New 'caged DNA' system to deliver drugs
Researchers have come up with a new 'caged DNA' material, combining DNA macromolecules with polymers containing iron, which represents a novel drug delivery system for gene therapy.
World's first digital insulin pen with memory
Eli Lilly has come up with a new insulin pen with a digital display that allows patients to record and review the time, date and dose of the last 16 insulin shots.
Alpha strengthens plastics portfolio
Alpha Packaging has bought fellow US company Quality Container, a specialist in plastic bottles for pharmaceutical and dietary supplement products, for an undisclosed sum.
Exubera helps boost West's 2006 results
West Pharmaceutical Services posted healthy financial results for 2006, with sales of the inhalable insulin device for Pfizer's Exubera significantly contributing to the results reported by the firm's Tech Group business segment.
26-Feb-2007
European healthcare firms recognised at Frost & Sullivan awards
Companies making outstanding contributions to the healthcare industry were honoured last week at a glittering awards evening celebrating Frost & Sullivan's Excellence in Healthcare awards, 2006.
Outsourcing packaging can increase speed to market four-fold
Using contractors to fulfil packaging needs can significantly reduce the time new products take to hit the market, claimed Gareth Lewis of Cardinal Health, speaking at SMi's Pharmaceutical Packaging and Labelling conference in London last week.
Terapia Ranbaxy linked to EU norms
Ranbaxy has been granted an EU manufacturing and import license for its Romania-based Terapia Ranbaxy subsidiary, and says it will make the company a strategic regional hub for its operations in Europe.
People on the move: pharmaceutical manufacturing
Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Wyeth have all had people on the move in the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Sartorius takes on Stedim
German firm Sartorius has merged its biotech unit with biopharmaceutical supplier Stedim Biosystems, forming a company anticipated to generate sales of €400-420m during 2007.
23-Feb-2007
Biochemical chip solves cell-mating puzzle
Scientists have used a biochemical chip to explain the important role a certain protein plays in the mating habits of yeast cells. The finding could lead to new cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Thousands of ways to tackle flu
A milestone in the fight against both human and bird flu could help scientists develop new vaccines and therapies against the virus, preparing the world in case of a pandemic.
22-Feb-2007
Pharmas to lose $100bn to generics
A report to be published next week predicts that US and EU pharmas will lose up to $100bn in revenues over the next five years as generic products take advantage of major branded products losing patent protection.
Smopex scavenges for metal
Johnson Matthey's metal scavenging system, Smopex, is designed to remove precious metals at high speed from solutions and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Leaner Cambrex sharpens focus on high potency
After shedding two of its unwanted divisions, a leaner Cambrex has decided to channel its energy into its high potency development (HiPO) business.
AZ's Macclesfield site first on the chopping block
AstraZeneca has this week announced 700 job losses the firm's Macclesfield site in the UK. Representing over a quarter of the site's workforce, the cuts come as part of the rationalisation plan announced by the firm at the beginning of the month.
GlaxoSmithKline watches your weight
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has acquired licensing rights outside the US to the over the counter (OTC) weight-loss medication orlistat, previously marketed by Roche.
Dyax and Genzyme agrees to terminate DX-88 contract
Dyax announced that it has reached a mutual agreement with Genzyme to terminate their joint venture for the development and commercialization of DX-88 for hereditary angioedema (HAE).
Bill to stop generic pay-offs
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved legislation that would prevent drug manufacturers from paying off firms to delay entry of generic versions of their products onto the market.
21-Feb-2007
Circuit printing technology enters the market
Advances in organic electronics have allowed UK-based Novalia to develop a proprietary technology for circuit printing on packaging - using conventional printing equipment - which can be used to identify when a package has been tampered with.
Contract manufacturing news in brief
QSV, Novasep and Cytovance have all announced new contract manufacturing deals this week, while Hyaluron has unveiled its production plant expansion.
Galapagos inks cancer research contract with UK University
Galapagos has inked a drug discovery contract with the University of Bristol in which the firm will provide services to help the university accelerate its anti-cancer research programme.
Almac forms alliance with BioCatalytics on chiral tech
Pharmaceutical services group Almac Sciences has teamed up with enzyme catalyst firm BioCatalytics on process development and manufacture of chiral intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Government protects the public from terrorist attacks
New US legislation comes into force on 4 April 2007, which will reduce dangerous chemicals to fall into the hands of terrorists.
20-Feb-2007
WHO fears over global flu vaccine production capacity
The World Health Organisation (WHO) last week reiterated its concerns regarding the worldwide lack of manufacturing capacity in the face of the potential global pandemic influenza vaccine demand.
New biologics facility for BMS
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has spent $3.65m (€2.78m) on an 89-acre plot of land to build a new bulk biologics manufacturing facility in Devens, Massachusetts.
Competition drives compliance battle among CMOs
Global compliance is becoming a key differentiator for contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) who want to stay ahead of the game in the buoyant but competitive active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufacturing market.
Heavy brines serve as 'green' solvent
Israeli-based Chemada has announced that heavy brines can be used as solvent in pharmaceutical applications to cut waste and costs. The company made the announcement at last week's InformexUSA show in San Francisco.
Codex panels seek out enzymes
Biotechnology firm Codexis has launched its Codex biocatalyst panels, which promise to increase R&D and manufacturing productivity while reducing cost.
Abraxis hauled up for contamination and misbranding
US firm Abraxis BioScience has been issued a firm warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following concerns about contamination of drug products and marketing violations for several drugs.
FDA requests more funds
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have high hopes for the fourth revision of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), which has proved its worth by cutting review times by up to 24 months since its introduction in 1992.
19-Feb-2007
French law disallows 'generic' biosimilars
The French Parliament has adopted legislation which prevents biosimilar medicinal products from being classed as generics and bans the automatic substitution of one biological medicine for another.
DSM Pharma & Crucell reach milestone in antibody production
The collaboration between DSM Pharmaceutical Products and biotechnology firm Crucell has raised the bar for antibody production, whilst decreasing manufacturing costs.
SAFC and Excelsyn beef up UK operations
Excelsyn and SAFC Both announced improvements to their UK contract manufacturing operations at this year's pharma services and specialty chemicals trade show, InformexUSA, in San Francisco.
First SafeBridge certification awarded in Europe
Northern Ireland-based Almac Services has recently been awarded a potent compound safety certification by SafeBridge, confirming that Almac is capable of handling potent compounds safely and is able to limit exposure using closed laboratory systems.
Ranbaxy raided by US officials
The US offices of Indian pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy were subjected to a search by federal officials the company reported last week.
15-Feb-2007
Pharma continue to go 'green' with Materia's catalysts
Materia's metathesis platform continues to excite the pharmaceutical industry as they follow their recent license to Merck with a license to Aileron Therapeutics.
Invitrogen sells 'beleaguered' BioReliance
Invitrogen has decided to sell BioReliance, the 'beleaguered' pharmaceutical services arm of its business, for less than half the price they paid for it just three years ago.
DSM achieves record sales in '06, but cautious on '07 outlook
Dutch chemicals and ingredients manufacturer DSM has posted record end of year results with €809m operating profit, up six per cent on 2005.
New cost-cutting cancer drug delivery system
A Japanese firm announced this week that it has developed a biodegradable polymer based drug delivery system that could significantly improve the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and reduce drug development costs.
Actavis gains new contract manufacturing capabilities in India
Actavis has waded further into India and picked up new contract manufacturing capabilities along the way with the purchase of a division of Sanmar Specialty Chemicals (SSCL).
Generic biologics to hit US market
A bill unveiled by US senators yesterday would clear the way for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve low cost, generic versions of biotech medicines. There is currently no statutory pathway allowing such generic copies to enter the market.
14-Feb-2007
Geneservice arrives in Oxford
UK contract research organisation (CRO) Geneservice has announced its acquisition of the DNA sequencing facility in the University of Oxford's Biochemistry Department.
Albany Molecular Research dips further into the red
Albany Molecular Research (AMRI) has slipped again in the fourth quarter of 2006 recording an operating loss of $2.5m (€1.9m) - six per cent worse than the same quarter the previous year - despite encouraging revenue growth in its contract business.
ISPE publishes guide on water and steam systems
The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) has released its latest industry guide, covering the commissioning and qualification of pharmaceutical water and steam systems.
Free trade to save EU pharmas €230m
A new international agreement will eliminate customs duties on pharmaceuticals and chemical intermediates traded between the major nations dealing in the industry. The move is set to save EU pharmaceutical companies around €230m in 2007.
13-Feb-2007
Valois valve in insulin device
French firm Valois Pharma will be providing Generex with a novel valve for its pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI), used for its innovative method of buccal delivery of insulin.
Put that in your pipeline and smoke it...
Therapeutic drugs can now be smoked like cigarettes thanks to a novel drug delivery device developed by new player Alexza Pharmaceuticals. The inhaled drugs hit the bloodstream much quicker than with other drug delivery techniques, so therapeutic effect can be seen within seconds.
QuitPak enters pilot study
A combination therapy to help smokers kick the habit has begun evaluation in Phase I pilot studies in the US. A sustained-release formulation of Cary Pharmaceutical's QuitPak has been developed with IntelGenx Technologies as an alternative smoking cessation therapy.
Indian-Irish biosimilar partnership to provide new European CMO contracts
A new partnership between India's Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) and Ireland's GeneMedix will provide new contract opportunities for European contract bio-manufacturers.
FDA pulls up Omnicare on quality violations
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued Kentucky-based Omnicare with a blunt warning letter outlining the firm's quality and safety lapses at its repackaging facility in Toledo.
12-Feb-2007
Dental implant keeps tabs on drug intake
European scientists have introduced a dental prosthesis capable of dosing drugs, which they suggest could be a more convenient option than swallowing pills.
SCOLR drops phenylephrine plans
US firm SCOLR Pharma has dropped development plans for a controlled release phenylephrine (PE) formulation, in light of slow progress in the over-the-counter (OTC) PE market.
Irish plants latest casualty as Pfizer trims API manufacturing
Heavyweight Pfizer is the latest pharmaceutical to cut manufacturing capacity and shut down plants as it announces the closure and sale of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facilities in Ireland.
09-Feb-2007
Exploiting natural HIV defence
A naturally occurring molecule helps protect the immune system from being destroyed by HIV and could open up a new way of fighting the effects of the virus, according to new research.
08-Feb-2007
Indian firm, Ranbaxy, eyes up biosimilars
Indian generics company Ranbaxy Laboratories has signed a development and marketing agreement with generic injectables company Zenotech Laboratories to produce its first biosimilar, a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim), leading the way for Indian generic chemical-based companies to enter the biologics arena.
Contract manufacturing news in brief
Inyx, Cobra and EaglePicher have all featured in new contract manufacturing announcements in the past week.
Bespak inks deal for migraine treatment
UK medical device firm Bespak has signed an agreement with new player Zogenix for development of a fast-acting migraine treatment.
Carbon nanoneedles for drug delivery
A multinational team of researchers based in the UK has found a way to make carbon nanotubes easily cross biological barriers, opening up the potential for a new form of drug delivery.
Bonfiglioli sees through pre-filled syringes
Italy's Bonfiglioli Engineering has launched a leak testing machine for syringes, with the ability to check and remove syringes that are faulty before leaving the factory.
Mediatech adds biotech filling systems to its portfolio
US-based sterile experts Mediatech has entered into a business agreement with US-based packaging and filling supplier Rapak to market and sell aseptic filling equipment to satisfy a gap in the market.
Protection for vaccine manufacturers
Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing vaccines to protect against avian flu outbreaks will be protected from product liability claims according to new regulations announced by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
07-Feb-2007
Legumes encapsulate oral antifungal drug
US-based drug delivery firm, BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI), has asked for approval to start clinical trials of a soya bean-based delivery technology that would lead to the first oral version of amphotericin B, a widely-used antifungal drug.
New easy-to-use closure for patients with limited hand function
Swedish packaging manufacturer Cerbo has developed a novel closure for tablet bottles as a user-friendly alternative for those who have limited dexterity in their hands and fingers.
Lonza snaps up Cambrex 'bio businesses'
Contract manufacturer Lonza has completed its acquisition of two Cambrex subsidiaries, research bioproducts and microbial biopharmaceutical, in a move that is fuelled by its strategic move into biopharmaceuticals.
Laureate and Boehringer in bioprocessing partnership
Laureate Pharma will now offer extra bioprocessing services to its customers following a new partnership deal signed with Boehringer Ingelheim.
BioProgress taps TabWrap potential
UK-based firm BioProgress has developed novel tablet cores that mean pills which were previously very difficult to coat can be reformulated and easily coated using the company's innovative TabWrap technology.
Cardinal Health placates FDA with Alaris pump action
Cardinal Health has reached an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on plans to resume manufacture and sale of its Alaris (SE) line of infusion pumps. Units were seized and production halted following grave safety concerns surrounding the product back in 2006.
MFIC reports revenues boosted by microfluidics
US-based nanotech process provider MFIC has announced a 35 per cent increase in revenue over the full-year 2006 to $15.7m (€12.1m), driven by a rising demand from drugmakers for microfluidics products.
06-Feb-2007
Wyeth pens three deals in a day
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is expanding its research into delivery systems for haemophilia drugs through a collaboration deal with MediVas.
Tolmar in sale-leaseback deal to snap up QLT USA
Private pharmaceutical firm Tolmar has sold off its pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in a move to fund the purchase of the US assets of biopharmaceutical QLT. The plant, sold for $13.6m (€10.5m), will be leased back to Tolmar under a long-term triple net lease.
MDS Pharma closes Quebec facility following FDA probe
MDS pharma has ceased operations at its bioanalytical services facility in Blainville, Quebec in a bid to boost profitability after an ongoing investigation of the site by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Pharma industry to reap rewards from government security tech
A security technology that had been strictly limited to use by governmental organisations is now available commercially, with several major pharmaceutical manufacturers keen to snap up the device and protect their supply chain. The product is set to aid the battle against the growing counterfeit drugs market, estimated to hit a massive $75bn (€57.3bn) globally by 2010.
Pump technology sustains insulin patch
US-based start-up company Medipacs is developing a miniaturised digital pump, no bigger than a quarter, which could become the first patch-like product to help diabetics manage their insulin therapy.
Democrats determined to see 'biogeneric' bill through
US Democrats spearheaded by Henry Waxman intend to re-table a stalled piece of legislation that would allow US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of generic biodrugs, which they claim would result in cost savings for patients and healthcare payers.
FDA to settle Citizen's Petitions against Wyeth
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has until April 2007 to reply to a Citizen's Petition (CP) filed by Orchid Chemicals in response to accusations of 'evergreening' related to Wyeth's re-formulated Zosyn (piperacillin/tazobactam), an injectable antibacterial drug.
05-Feb-2007
UK organisation issues hazardous waste advice
A UK-based firm is offering advice to chemical and pharmaceutical companies on reducing hazardous waste and adhering to the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Regulation (REACH), which becomes law on 1 June 2007.
Millipore reports Q4 income surge
US-based biopharmaceutical product providers Millipore has met its revenue and earnings target over the fiscal year, helped by its Serologicals acquisition in the fourth quarter and a solid performance by its main business driver: lab waters.
Rockwell invests in Ireland
US-based Rockwell Automation has acquired Irish engineering firm ProsCon Holdings in a strategy to move into the European pharmaceutical market.
New inhaler is child's play
A new inhaler with a child-friendly design aims to solve the problem of dosage variance and patient compliance - key issues with inhaled drug treatments for children.
AstraZeneca's job cuts latest symptom of widespread trend
Pharma giant AstraZeneca last week announced its intention to cut 3,000 jobs in an effort to increase productivity and reduce costs. The company is the latest big pharma to trim its workforce as the industry readjusts in a more challenging environment.
02-Feb-2007
Pfizer plans to double drug production outsourcing
Pfizer's latest cutbacks will provide a new outsourcing opportunity for contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) in low-cost destinations as the drug giant announces plans to double its amount of drug production outsourcing.
01-Feb-2007
Dalton moves into commercial manufacturing services
Canada's Dalton Pharma Services has been given the green light to start offering commercial sterile manufacturing services to its pharma customers.
Copycat heart drug in Thailand
The army-appointed Thai government has invoked a rule under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to break patents and supply generic versions of drugs to treat heart disease.
Disposables prove lucrative for Sartorius
Sartorius has reported 7.6 per cent increase in sales revenue in 2006 rising to €520.1m ($677.4m), due to the biotechnology division's decision to focus on disposable systems.
GSK invests in new Irish facility
Major pharmaceutical player GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has begun construction of a €23m facility in County Waterford, Ireland. The new facility is already under construction at the company's consumer healthcare manufacturing site in Dungarvan.
Steris posts mixed 3Q results
US-based sterilisation system providers Steris this week announced their fiscal 2007 third quarter results, revealing the impact of the relocation of manufacturing capacity to Mexico and the firm's European restructuring.
| « Previous month | Next month » |
Sign up for your free newsletter
On-Demand Webinars, Videos, Audio
- POLYOX™ - New Applications in ER Matrices
Colorcon-CP-Pharma-2008 - Meet the requirements for GSDP for pharmaceutical products
SGS - Micro Reactors - The Future for Cost-Effective Manufacturing
DSM Pharmaceutical Products - Shoot for share: from vial to pre-filled syringe
Baxter - Increase your webinar performance with expert tips and advice
Decision News Media - Modern Chemical Development and cGMP Synthesis: When to use Chiral Chromatography
Novasep
Technical & Research papers
- SOTAX offers Upgrades for outdated Zymark TPW II and Prelude Models
Sotax AG - An Introduction to High-Potent API Classification
SAFC Pharma - SonoLab™ to Prosonitron® - Sonocrystallization Proven Across Scale
Prosonix - Making Better Medicines - Super Refined Excipients - Stability Enhancement and Topical Delivery of an API
Croda - Automated determination of active-substance content
Metrohm - Surface Dissolution Imaging Gives Insight Into Bioavailability
Paraytec Ltd - Increasing Demand for Fully Automated Dissolution Sinker Retrieval Prompts New Product Development
Sotax AG - The Twist N’Use – The economical plastic alternative to the glass ampoules.
Coradin - Ultrasonic Particle Engineering – The Key to Making Better MedicinesTM
Prosonix - Making Better Medicines - Solution for Automating Content Uniformity and Assay Testing
Sotax AG
Products, Brochures, Web links
- CD Linear, the linear tube filling machine according to CO.MA.DI.S.
IMA - Track & Trace solutions from the IMA Group
IMA - New Unica220 by Marchesini Group: versatile and ergonomic thermoformer
Marchesini Group Spa - The primary Dual Vials system – Keep Safe and preserve your active ingredient
Coradin - SPI Pharma: Formulating Success Through Innovation
SPI Pharma - Purac in the pharmaceutical industry
Purac Biochem bv - Derek for Windows
Lhasa Limited
Related sites
All Decision News Media Sites
Food & Beverage: Food & Beverage Development - Europe | Food & Beverage Development - North America | Food Marketing and Retailing | Food Processing & Packaging | Food Safety & Quality Control | Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific | Industrial Baking & Snacks | Beverage Technology & Markets | Confectionery & Biscuit Processing | Dairy Processing & Markets | Prepared Food and Meat Processing Nutrition: Supplements & Nutrition - Europe | Supplements & Nutrition - North America Pharmaceutical: Pharmaceutical Technology | Contract Research, Manufacturing & Clinical Trials Cosmetics: Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - North America | Cosmetics Formulation & Packaging - Europe
© 2000/2009 - Decision News Media SAS - All right reserved.
