WHO orders recall of 24m vials of Shantha's Shan5 vaccine

29-Apr-2010 - The WHO has called for recall and destruction of all batches of Indian drugmaker Shantha Biotechnics’ Shan5 vaccine after the discovery of “white sediment” in some vials.

Pro-Tect buys novel delivery tech patents for pain portffolio

29-Apr-2010 - Pro-Tect (PRTT) says new technology patents could drive “revolution” in once-daily drug delivery for pain meds.

News in brief

Viagra patent expires in June, says Brazilian court

29-Apr-2010 - Pfizer will lose patent protection for Viagra in Brazil on June 20 after the Supreme Court (STJ) accepted recommendations by national intellectual property watchdog, the INPI.

FDA advises on preventing and responding to drug theft

29-Apr-2010 - The FDA has issued a letter to stakeholders detailing best practices for preventing and responding to theft of pharma products.

L’Oreal says sale of its stake in Sanofi-aventis is not imminent

28-Apr-2010 - L’Oreal says that it is in ‘no hurry’ to sell off the 8.97 per cent stake in France-based consumer health care and pharmaceuticals player Sanofi-aventis.

People on the move: pharma jobs

28-Apr-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Roche, AVI BioPharma, Amgen and Delcath Systems.

News in brief

Virosome-based vaccine completes safety, efficacy tests

28-Apr-2010 - Pevion Biotech has successfully completed preclinical safety and efficacy studies of its RSV vaccine candidate, which uses a virosome-based delivery platform.

Chao Center to close; replacement Seromycin maker required

28-Apr-2010 - The Chao Center for Industrial research and contract manufacturing is to close this year after failing to become a self sustaining enterprise.

Mitsubishi Tanabe CEO quits JPMA role after manufacturing ban

28-Apr-2010 - Manufacturing problems at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (MTP) have forced CEO Michihiro Tsuchiya to relinquish his vice presidency of the Japanese Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

News in brief

AZ to pay US govt $520m to settle Seroquel marketing probe

27-Apr-2010 - AstraZeneca will pay $520m to the US government to settle a federal investigation into the marketing of its blockbuster antipsychotic Seroquel.

USP, FDA must be proactive in updating monographs

27-Apr-2010 - The USP and FDA must work to identify counterfeited or intentionally adulterated products before they enter the healthcare system by collaborating on the modification of monographs, according to Margaret Hamburg.

SAFC to set up media centre of excellence at Lenexa

27-Apr-2010 - US firm SAFC plans to turn its dry powder culture media manufacturing plant in Lenexa, Kansas into a “centre of excellence” with $6.3m (€4.7m) capacity expansion.

Comar builds capacity with Unicon buy

27-Apr-2010 - US drug packaging firm Comar says acquisition of Universal Container Corp (Unicon) provides capacity for growth, particularly in key liquid medication delivery device market.

Sigma’s Q1 helped by HPAPI sales

26-Apr-2010 - Demand for HPAPIs helped US life science and technology supplier Sigma-Aldrich to a positive set of first quarter financials.

News in brief

Colorcon buys NP Pharma

26-Apr-2010 - Colorcon has acquired excipient business NP Pharm, adding sugar spheres to its portfolio and production capacity that will become “an integral part” of its manufacturing network.

New Xcellerex CEO targets growth in revenues, clients

26-Apr-2010 - The incoming Xcellerex CEO plans to move the company from validation to penetration, boosting revenues and client base, and invest in the contract manufacturing side of the business.

Mircofluidics launches continuous nanocrystallisation tech

22-Apr-2010 - Microfluidics chose Interphex 2010 in New York, US to unveil a new processing technology that it claims can help manufacturers save time and money by switching from batch to continuous...

ATMI introduces disposable bioreactor

22-Apr-2010 - ATMI is using Interphex 2010 to launch the Integrity PadReactor, a disposable bioreactor designed to provide a highly scalable entry point in its line of mixing and process manufacturing systems.

Eruption of new technologies at Interphex 2010

22-Apr-2010 - Delegates lucky enough to have made the trip to Interphex 2010 in New York, US bore witness to the launch of a wide range of new drug manufacturing technologies with...

News in brief

Pall completes expansion of FL filter materials plant

22-Apr-2010 - Pall Life Sciences has completed work on a expansion of its manufacturing and R&D facility in Florida, US creating 50 new jobs.

News in brief

FDA warns Pfizer about trial monitoring

21-Apr-2010 - Pfizer failed to ensure proper monitoring of a clinical trial in which in number of patients received overdoses, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Blu Pharma plans expansion at new Puerto Rico plant

21-Apr-2010 - Capacity at Blu Pharmaceutical’s recently acquired solid dosage production plant in Puerto Rico is set to expand considerable over the next three years according to company president Bill Luster.

New markets to offset patent loss and drive sales to $1tr by 2014, IMS Health

21-Apr-2010 - Demand in “Pharmerging” markets will offset declining revenues from off-patent blockbusters and drive prescription drug sales to $1.1tr (€819bn) by 2014, according to IMS Health.

Grant given to develop continuous flow crystallisation

21-Apr-2010 - A project bringing together researchers from academia and pharma companies, including GSK and AZ, has received a £709,000 ($1.09m) grant to create crystals using continuous flow production.

Elan mulls hiving-off drug delivery business again

20-Apr-2010 - Irish drugmaker Elan has once again raised the possibility of selling its delivery business, Elan Drug Technologies (EDT).

Sandoz will boost delivery tech portfolio with Oriel buy

20-Apr-2010 - Sandoz will buy generics firm Oriel Therapeutics, adding the US company’s FreePath delivery system and Solis multi-dose dry powder inhaler to its respiratory drug technology portfolio.

News in brief

Codexis plans $103m IPO this week

20-Apr-2010 - Biocatalysis specialist Codexis aims to raise $103m in another initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Market.

People on the move: pharma jobs

20-Apr-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Baxter, Dendreon, Roche, Somaxon and Silence Therapeutics.

Map of India’s bulk drug and formulation facilities

19-Apr-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents exclusive interactive maps of pharma manufacturing facilities in India, detailing the number of bulk drug and formulation facilities in each region of the country.

AMPAC opens new Texas API plant

19-Apr-2010 - AMPAC Fine Chemicals boosts reactor capacity 30 per cent with new manufacturing plant and says North America is attractive for API production.

News in brief

Ranbaxy recalls Dewas-made antibiotic in US

19-Apr-2010 - More Dewas-related problems for Ranbaxy as the Indian generic drugmaker recalls an antibiotic in the US.

EFPIA: 2D barcode anti-counterfeit pilot a success

19-Apr-2010 - The EFPIA has hailed its 2-D data matrix anti-counterfeiting pilot scheme as a success and hopes to convince governments and supply chain actors of benefits of the approach.

GE launches logger with extended temperature range

15-Apr-2010 - GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies has introduced an logger capable of covering a temperature range from -85ºC to 140ºC to provide a single tool for a variety of applications.

BD to make 500m syringes a year in Hungary by 2015

15-Apr-2010 - Becton Dickinson (BD) says its new Hungarian plant will be operational this year and producing more than 500m pre-fillable glass syringes by 2015.

NuSil completes work on silicone facility

15-Apr-2010 - US firm NuSil Technology says new clean room manufacturing plant will help meet growing demand for silicone compounds for delivery systems.

Gerresheimer: EBITDA flat and sales down 1% in Q1 2010

14-Apr-2010 - “Good business development” in the pharma and “slow spending” in the cyclical cosmetics and life sciences sectors dominated Gerreshimer’s performance in the first quarter of 2010.

People on the move: pharma jobs

14-Apr-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Xcellerex, Bristol-Myers Squibb and KV Pharmaceutical.

News in brief

Julius Chen recalls "illegally packaged" gout drug in Hong Kong

14-Apr-2010 - Hong Kong, China-based drug wholesaler Julius Chen & Co has been ordered to recall 300mg/tablet formulation of a gout treatment name Puricos (allopurinol) after DoH officials discovered the firm packaged...

Dropping HIV vaccine plant was a “value judgement”

14-Apr-2010 - Canada made a “value judgement” in dropping its plans for a HIV vaccine plant, according to a representative of the public health agency who said the money could be better...

Has Hospira beaten Myriad in Javelin competition?

13-Apr-2010 - US drugmaker Javelin Pharmaceuticals says Hospira’s takeover bid is “superior” and terminates agreement with Myriad Pharmaceuticals (MPI).

Chesapeake eyes CEE expansion after Polish packaging takeover

13-Apr-2010 - Chesapeake has acquired a leading Polish label and carton operation in a bid to expand its share of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) market.

News in brief

Genzyme and Arecor collaborate on protein formulation

13-Apr-2010 - Genzyme and Arecor have entered into a collaboration to develop advanced formulations for protein therapeutics.

Archimica and Merck KGaA seal distribution deal

13-Apr-2010 - Archimica has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with a Merck KGaA subsidiary to provide building blocks and special reagents for organic synthesis.

Streamlining of Indian supply chain needed to cut costs

13-Apr-2010 - Rising use of biologics and a tax initiative will drive the streamlining of Indian supply chains, helping companies to deliver drugs at affordable prices, according to PwC.

Sanofi’s China R&D centre up and running

12-Apr-2010 - Sanofi Aventis’ expanded R&D centre in China opened for business last week, further building the French drugmakers presence in the country.

News in brief

Hikma to take control of Algerian joint venture

12-Apr-2010 - Hikma is to take full control of its Algerian joint venture in an $18.5m (€13.6m) deal, continuing its expansion in the region.

Telstar buys Usifroid to strengthen in EU & lyophilisation

12-Apr-2010 - Spain-based Telstar has acquired Usifroid, strengthening its position in France and adding freeze drying technology and expertise.

Alvogen signs up for Penwest’s Timerx tech

12-Apr-2010 - US delivery specialist Penwest is to apply its Timerx tech to “complex” generic pharmaceuticals in a development and commercialisation pact with non-branded drugmaker Alvogen.

Amcor adds blown-film capacity at US plant

08-Apr-2010 - Amcor Flexibles has expanded its drug packaging capacity with the installation of a new blown-film production line at its facility in Mundelein, Illinois, US.

DPT, NextPharma and Vetter update on sterile production expansions

08-Apr-2010 - The drug industry will gain new options for sterile contract development and manufacturing in the near future with DPT Laboratories, NextPharma and Vetter each working on new dedicated units.

Winsunny licenses HGCP to produce generic API

08-Apr-2010 - Winsunny Pharma has exclusively licensed NMT’s HGCP technology, which produces APIs in low micron and nano-sized range, to manufacture a hyperlipidemia-controlling drug in China.

News in brief

Charter Medical launches single-use Bio-Pak culture bags

08-Apr-2010 - US group Charter Medical says its new-single use culture bags provide a stable environment that enhances cell growth and viability.

Gerreshemier sets up Moscow sales office

07-Apr-2010 - German glassmaker Gerresheimer has set up a new sales office in Russia and says growth in country’s drug packaging market is strategically important.

Parexel adopts platform to handle post-approval trials

07-Apr-2010 - Parexel has implemented a web-based system to help it handle the increase in data volumes that has resulted from the expansion in number, size and complexity of post-approval studies.

Genentech nears completion of Hillsboro plant; no plans for R&D

07-Apr-2010 - US biotechnology company Genentech presents new $400m pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution facility in Hillsboro, Oregon and says construction is nearly complete.

News in brief

Boston BioCom produces protein for self-assembling vacc

07-Apr-2010 - Boston BioCom has produced HSP-avidin fusion protein for use in a self-assembling vaccines platform as part of collaboration between its Jantibody Therapeutics subsidiary and Pfenex.

People on the move: pharma jobs

07-Apr-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its weekly round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Genzyme, PharmAthene and Cadence Pharmaceuticals.

SFDA finds vaccines with insufficient API, says Simcere

06-Apr-2010 - The Chinese SFDA has found that four batches of rabies vaccine produced by Jiangsu Yanshen contained insufficient quantities of API and is investigating the conduct of some employees, according to...

Unilife starts 24/7 production after FDA marketing clearance

06-Apr-2010 - Unilife has initiated a 24/7 manufacturing cycle at its facility at Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, US after it received marketing clearance for its Unitract 1ml insulin syringes from the US FDA.

News in brief

Vaisala launches temperature and humidity probe

06-Apr-2010 - Vaisala has launched a humidity and temperature probe designed to monitor the processing, packaging and storage environments of pharmaceuticals and biologics.

SAFC opens $30m expansion of HPAPI production site

06-Apr-2010 - SAFC has opened the $30m (€22m) expansion of a US production facility, adding HPAPI capacity to meet rising demand for Phase III and commercial manufacturing services.

Antisense tech makes sense; Isis lands $1.5bn GSK accord

01-Apr-2010 - US firm Isis Pharmaceuticals could earn $1.5bn from its new antisense RNA drug development partnership with UK pharmaceutical major GSK.

Sanofi rejigs French ops; teams with AgaMatrix on glucose monitors

01-Apr-2010 - Sanofi-Aventis says French manufacturing operations will focus on vaccine and biotech drugs, unveiling €150m ($202m) plan to shift emphasis away from synthetic chemistry-based production.

Hyde opens European office

01-Apr-2010 - Hyde Engineering + Consulting has opened an office in Dublin, Ireland, enhancing its ability to provide Europe-based biopharm with compliance, qualification and automation services.

News in brief

Prosonix scales-up UMAX for respiratory drugs

01-Apr-2010 - Prosonix says UMAX is “technology of choice” for respiratory API production after successfully scaling-up the particle engineering tech for multiple compounds in GMP quality facilities.