ScinoPharm says exports drove 2010 rev gains; updates on China plant

31-Mar-2011 - Chinese (API) maker ScinoPharm said that it met its sales targets in 2010, despite rocketing raw materials prices, cutbacks in government healthcare spending in key markets and currency revaluation.

China's new approvals system brings outsourcing opportunity

31-Mar-2011 - A new, tougher approvals policy for pharmaceutical products in China will bring opportunities for Western contract companies able to help domestic firms meet the strict new rules, according to a...

Planning key to cell therapies' $6bn growth

31-Mar-2011 - Planning the commercial production and delivery of effective cell therapies will be key if the sector is to achieve forecast growth of $6bn within nine years, according to a seminar...

West and Carefusion team on needle-free drug reconstitution tech

30-Mar-2011 - West Pharmaceutical Services has moved to expanded its offering by partnering on the development of a new needle-free technology for drug reconstitution with hospital supply giant Carefusion.

US FDA advises on prevention of glass lamellae in injectables

30-Mar-2011 - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new advisory designed to help drugmakers prevent the formation of glass fragments in vials following a spate of recent recalls.

News in brief

Oral peptide delivery tech achieves Phase III endpoint

29-Mar-2011 - Unigene Laboratories claims a Phase III trial has validated its oral peptide drug delivery technology.

Lower clinical trial spend helps Novavax halve operating loss

29-Mar-2011 - Novavax halved its operating loss in the fourth quarter as a result of lower clinical trial spending.

Pharma driving short-term demand in PAT

29-Mar-2011 - The pharmaceutical industry’s PAT initiative is set to drive demand for process analytical instruments, according to a F&S study.

People on the move: pharma jobs

29-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Baxter and Achaogen.

Novartis invests in Chinese vaccine maker

28-Mar-2011 - Novartis has acquired a majority stake in vaccine maker Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical, continuing its efforts to accelerate revenue growth in China.

News in brief

Mississippi passes anti-counterfeiting law

28-Mar-2011 - Mississippi, US has passed anti-counterfeiting legislation to give law enforcement the tools needed to tackle fake products.

Sigma posts loss but shares soar on special dividend

28-Mar-2011 - Sigma Pharmaceuticals posted a A$235.4m (€172.0m) loss in 2010 but its share value soared on payment of a special dividend.

Round up of clinical trial packaging partnerships

28-Mar-2011 - Outsourcing-Pharma presents a round up of recent clinical trial packaging services partnerships.

Kerry adds two Chinese sites to logistics network

24-Mar-2011 - Kerry Logistics has opened two distribution centres in China to serve pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and other industries.

Syracuse team use gold nanoparticles to deliver DOX anti-cancer drug

24-Mar-2011 - Scientists from the University of Syracuse’s chemistry department have created a new drug delivery system which they claim will improve the efficacy of cancer-killing drugs.

News in brief

Cumberland launches EDTA-free Acetadote formulation

24-Mar-2011 - Cumberland Pharmaceuticals has introduced an Acetadote (acetylcysteine) formulation that is free from stabilisation or chelating agents.

UK budget aims to attract & keep pharma manufacturers

24-Mar-2011 - The UK has drafted a budget to attract and keep business but there are still significant barriers to investment, warns the CIA.

Lonza wins manufacturing deals with Enobia and Athera

23-Mar-2011 - Switzerland-based Lonza has signed two new manufacturing deals with pharmaceutical firms that look set to improve capacity utilisation.

Q1 FDA cGMP warning letters

23-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents a round up of current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) related warning letters sent by the FDA in the first quarter.

GSK joins UK Gov innovative manufacturing initiative

23-Mar-2011 - GSK is participating in a UK Government-backed innovative manufacturing initiative aimed at revitalising the sector.

Gerresheimer buys Bazilian plastic pack firm Vedat

23-Mar-2011 - Gerresheimer has bought Brazilian pharmaceutical plastic packaging maker Vedat, citing rapid growth of the country’s drug market, particularly the generics segment, as the main driver for the acquisition.

News in brief

Finesse upgrades bioprocess software

23-Mar-2011 - Finesse Solutions has added off-line data processing modules to its bioprocess parameter control software, TruBio DV.

Unilife reports growing interest in prefilled syringe; execs invest

22-Mar-2011 - US delivery device maker Unilife has reported growing drug industry interest in its Unifill prefilled syringe range.

Melbourn Scientific extends testing capabilities; buys eight Copley Scientific dissolution testers

22-Mar-2011 - Copley Scientific, the Nottingham, UK-based lab equipment manufacturer, has confirmed delivery of eight tablet dissolution testers to contract research organisation (CRO), Melbourn Scientific.

People on the move: pharma jobs

22-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at PharmStar, Cephalon, Covidien and Catalent.

Fine chemical news round up

21-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents a round-up of fine chemicals news, including developments at Camlin, CABB, Albemarle and Materia.

Novartis cuts staff at Horhsam, UK site; creates jobs in China

21-Mar-2011 - Novartis, the Basel, Switzerland-based pharma giant, has announced a raft of job cuts at its research and development site in Horsham, UK.

Inovio receives DNA vaccine delivery grant

21-Mar-2011 - Inovio has received a US grant to investigate delivering DNA vaccines to different parts of the body at the same time.

News in brief

Genzyme manufacturing issue causes Thyrogen shortage

21-Mar-2011 - Genzyme will be unable to meet demand for Thyrogen until July 2011 because of a manufacturing issue.

EMA and FDA team on QbD parallel evaluation pilot scheme

17-Mar-2011 - The EMA and the US FDA will conduct parallel assessment of QbD development and manufacturing data for new drug submissions under a new pilot scheme announced this week.

News in brief

MPS invests $5m in label and carton plant

17-Mar-2011 - US contractor Multi Packaging Solutions plans to expand its label and carton manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan to cater for growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry.

WSF report claims 'brighter decade lies ahead' for biotech sector

17-Mar-2011 - World Street Fundamentals (WSF), the financial research specialist, has released two industry reports highlighting the mixed fortunes of biotech firms Biodel and MannKind, but claims a “brighter decade” lies ahead...

Guest article

In a tough regulatory climate being forewarned is forearmed, says ISI Europe

17-Mar-2011 - Don’t think of the global regulatory information clampdown as a burden. It’s an opportunity to put your house in order, says Adam Sherlock, MD of ISI Europe.

Johnson & Johnson finalises terms of FDA consent decree

16-Mar-2011 - Johnson & Johnson, the multinational healthcare giant, has announced it has finalised the terms of a consent decree with the FDA over its stricken McNeil PPC manufacturing plants.

GSK introduces SMS service to combat Nigerian counterfeits

16-Mar-2011 - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has partnered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to provide a patient SMS verification service for its antibiotic, Ampiclox..

Biopharma key to Pall’s Q2 gains

16-Mar-2011 - Life sciences drove Pall’s growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, with sales to the biopharmaceuticals sector making the biggest gains.

Cytovance secures $22.5m equity investment from Great Point Partners

16-Mar-2011 - Cytovance Biologics, the US-based biopharmaceutical contract manufacturer (CMO), has secured a growth equity investment from Connecticut, US-based private investors, Great Point Partners.

Swedish researchers uncover link between sunlight and drug kinetics

15-Mar-2011 - Researchers have uncovered a link between exposure to sunlight and the body's ability to break down medicines that could have big implications for formulators.

News in brief

GEA gets FDA OK for H202 steralisation tech for freeze dryers

15-Mar-2011 - GEA Lyophil has won US FDA approval for a new gas-based steralistion technology for pharmaceutical freeze drying.

Fette sets up Goa tablet testing unit

15-Mar-2011 - German machine tool maker Fette Compacting has set up a tablet compression and flowability testing centre in Goa, India.

SOCMA and EFCG want foreign API sites to pay for US FDA inspections

15-Mar-2011 - SOCMA and the EFCG want the US FDA to make inspection of overseas API manufacturing sites mandatory, with the facilities paying for the costs themselves.

Pfizer may sell non-core units according to analyst

15-Mar-2011 - US drug giant Pfizer may sell its generics, consumer health and Capsugel units in an effort to slim down and refocus on its core pharmaceutical business according to a number...

People on the move: pharma jobs

14-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round-up of movements in the pharma sector including appointments at Sanofi, GSK, Eli Lilly and Watson Pharmaceuticals.

News in brief

Amgen buying Irish plant from Pfizer

14-Mar-2011 - Amgen will buy a manufacturing facility in Ireland from US drug giant Pfizer, securing the site’s workforce.

Gerresheimer starts refinancing ahead of schedule

14-Mar-2011 - Gerresheimer has taken out a new loan to refinance four years ahead for schedule, citing the favourable financial climate as the key driver.

West to invest in Kinston plant

10-Mar-2011 - West Pharmaceutical Services will invest $29m to expand its syringe plungers and intravenous (IV) system components facility in Kinston, North Carolina, in the US.

News in brief

IPCA gets MHRA OK for India API plant

10-Mar-2011 - API maker IPCA laboratories has received UK MHRA approval for its formulations and production unit in Indore, India.

Medtronic opens new regional headquarters in Shanghai

10-Mar-2011 - Medtronic, the US-based medical technology firm, has officially opened its new regional headquarters building in Shanghai, China.

Carbon dioxide may be drug processing 'shortcut,' study

10-Mar-2011 - A new study suggests pressurised carbon dioxide can accelerate crystalisation during drug production, and potentially save manufacturers time and money.

Tech transfer-created hubs can boost supply; Lilly

10-Mar-2011 - Regional production hubs created by technology transfer can improve public health and drive economic development in low- to mid-income countries, says Eli Lilly

update

GSK invests in Sri Lankan manufacturing plant

09-Mar-2011 - GSK has invested in a new manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka for the production of its over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller Panadol.

Sanofi may cut jobs; extends Genzyme offer

09-Mar-2011 - Sanofi Aventis has had a busy few days with media speculation about potential job cuts following just 24 hours after the firm extended its takeover offer for Genzyme.

New J&J recall insulin pump cartridges

09-Mar-2011 - US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has recalled 384,000 of its insulin cartridges on concerns the products could cause serious health problems for diabetics.

People on the move: pharma jobs

09-Mar-2011 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Gentium, Endo Pharmaceuticals and American Peptide Company.

AZ halts pMDI Pulmicort production on inhaler's 'technical weakness'

08-Mar-2011 - AstraZeneca has announced it is discontinuing production of the pMDI version of its asthma drug Pulmicort due to technical issues with the drug's delivery device.

Helsinn says cytotoxics plant will be up and running in 2012

08-Mar-2011 - Swiss pharmaceutical ingredient maker Helsinn says its new cytotoxic API production plant will be operational for laboratory-scale projects early next year.

GEA strikes Scandinavian representation deal with Christian Berner

08-Mar-2011 - GEA Pharma Systems, the German drug processing equipment manufacturer, has signed a representation agreement with Swedish hi-tech firm Christian Berner Tech Trade.

Thermo rolls out predictive liver toxicity assay

08-Mar-2011 - Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a predictive assay that, it claims, can assess a drug candidate’s potential to cause liver damage earlier than traditional methods.

Handheld spectrometers improving drug Quality in Nigeria, says AEI

07-Mar-2011 - Efforts to detect fakes with handheld spectrometers appear to be having a positive impact on drug quality in Nigeria according to research by US think-tank the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

Cadila JV to set up plant in Rwanda

07-Mar-2011 - CSM GlobalPharma has announced plans to invest $65m in a manufacturing facility in Kigali, Rwanda in collaboration with the Rwandan Development Board (RDB).

News in brief

Eisai plans workforce cuts by 2015

07-Mar-2011 - Eisai has unveiled plans to cut around 100 jobs in Japan, 600 in the US and 200 in Europe by 2015 as Aricept and some of its key products start to face generic competition.

CRL adds Pfizer-developed R&D lab models to portfolio

07-Mar-2011 - Charles River Laboratories (CRL) said it will distribute several Pfizer-developed R&D models, in a deal that continues the US CRO’s efforts to expand its lab animals business.

News in brief

Foreign inspection worries keep FDA on GAO risk list

03-Mar-2011 - The GAO has again included the FDA in its high-risk series because of shortcomings in the oversight of overseas manufacturing facilities.

Agilent buys Biocius Life Sciences for undisclosed amount

03-Mar-2011 - Agilent Technolgies, the Santa Clara, US-based scientific instrument manufacturer, has acquired instrument manufacturer and contract research organisation (CRO), Biocius Life Sciences, for an undisclosed amount.

Oversight needed to stop illicit supply chain diversion

03-Mar-2011 - Governments must close loopholes and increase oversight to prevent diversion of pharmaceutical formulations into illicit supply chains.

V-Go device gets 2nd US FDA OK for insulin delivery

02-Mar-2011 - Valeritas has received US FDA clearance for the use of its disposable delivery device in combination with a second insulin product.

News in brief

FDA visiting Perrigo for post-warning letter reinspection

02-Mar-2011 - US FDA inspectors have arrived at Perrigo’s Allegan, Michigan, US facility to re-inspect it as part of its follow-up to a warning letter last year.

Lonza using energy broker to cut costs at production sites

02-Mar-2011 - Lonza is working with energy broker Usource to reduce costs at a number of its US production and R&D facilities.

Clondalkin to buy Catalent printed components unit

02-Mar-2011 - Clondalkin is to buy the printed components unit from Catalent as part of an ongoing acquisition strategy in the strong sector growth.

Event preview

Paris to host aerosol tech conference

02-Mar-2011 - Delivery technologies for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors will feature heavily at the fifth annual Aerosol Forum in Paris next week.

SOHM expands Indian manufacturing capacity for drugs for “lifestyle diseases”

01-Mar-2011 - Generic drugmaker SOHM has expanded its manufacturing capacity for “lifestyle” diseases to meet growing Indian demand.

LG to build VLP vaccine site in S Korea using Novavax tech

01-Mar-2011 - LG Life Sciences is to build an influenza vaccine production facility in South Korea after licensing technology from Novavax.

News in brief

Four US contract pharma packagers merge

01-Mar-2011 - Four US packaging firms have merged to form Aphena Pharma Solutions in a bid to create a single-source offering.