Breaking News on Pharmaceutical Technology
All news articles > June 2006
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29-Jun-2006
Cost emerges as major issue in Novartis RFID trial
A Dutch trial of battery-powered radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags in standard medication blister packages, sponsored by Novartis, has demonstrated the benefits the technology can have for patient compliance but also the prohibitive costs that need to be overcome if RFID is to be widely adopted.
Multisorb's sorbent cuts Boehringer Ingelheim's downtime
Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane (BIRI) has integrated Multisorb's sorbent packets in its moisture prevention system, reducing costs, decreasing downtime, and increasing line speed.
Cardinal Health bags insulin spray manufacturing deal
After launching its flagship oral insulin spray in Ecuador last December, Generex is finally gearing up to take on big pharma in the global non-injectable insulin arena and has picked Cardinal Health to help meet manufacturing demands.
Vertex provides update at Piper Jaffray conference
Vertex Pharmaceutcals was one of a number of pharma and biotech companies to attend the PiperJaffray healthcare conference in London last week, which gave international companies the opportunity to provide pipeline updates.
Lilly bails out on UK manufacturing plant
Determined to slash operational costs, Eli Lilly has decided to shut down its pill and tablet manufacturing plant in Basingstoke and boost production in its remaining three dry product sites.
Novasep claims to be purer than pure
French purification specialist Novasep has unveiled a new series of preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns that are ideally suited for the purification of any amount of product.
28-Jun-2006
US generic drug manufacturer pleads guilty to felony
Vintage Pharmaceuticals, a generic drugmaker with plants in North Carolina and Alabama, has pleaded guilty to 19 felony counts of producing adulterated drugs and introducing them into interstate commerce.
Hyclone flaunts new single-use bioreactor
Hyclone has unveiled a new single-use bioreactor at the BioLOGIC exhibition in Amsterdam which promises the same performance with traditional stainless steel bioreactors but with the benefits of single use in which all the contact parts are discarded after use.
Pfizer wins Microsoft accolade in drug manufacturing
Microsoft has awarded Pfizer with its Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Innovation Award for its manufacturing management system which revolutionalises the scaling up and monitoring of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, saving time and money.
New technology being used to make first hep E vaccine
Lipoxen have developed a new vaccine technology that it claims will pave the way for more effective and safer vaccines and greater manufacturing flexibility. They are now using the technology to make the world's first hepatitis E vaccine.
Innovata's insulin device moves forward
Innovata is moving forward with its dry powder pulmonary insulin inhaler, which it claims has a formulation superior to Exubera, gearing up for Phase II clinical trials and anticipating a new partnership deal by the end of the year.
27-Jun-2006
Chinese API manufacturer to mentor Alpharma on vancomycin
Alpharma has asked one of the largest manufacturers of bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in China, Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical, to help it double its capacity of making vancomycin.
Magnetic nanoparticles show promise in targeted drug delivery
Researchers have developed a new nanocarrier system for the delivery of drugs which contains iron and so can be directed by a magnetic field to specific areas of the body, a technology which could prove invaluable in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
Testing begins on new bird flu spray vaccine
Tests have begun on a new bird flu vaccine that its US developer MedImmune hopes will prove more effective and provide several advantages over current injectable flu vaccines in the event of a bird flu pandemic.
Amylin hits back at Byetta cartridge shortage
As the shortage of cartridges of its injectable diabetes drug Byetta reaches critical levels, Amylin Pharmaceuticals is seeking to expand manufacturing capacity and is exploring a nasal spray formulation of the medicine with drug delivery firm Nastech.
Drug manufacturers turning to supply chain management software
The worldwide market for supply chain management (SCM) software is tipped to grow 8.6 per cent a year to reach over $8.3m (€6.8m) in 2010, driven by the need to streamline supply chain processes and improve productivity.
26-Jun-2006
EntreMed encouraged by rheumatoid arthritis lead compound
EntreMed has produced hard data demonstrating antiangiogenic activity of its lead compound against the devastating effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results pave the way to developing therapeutics for the cancer and inflammatory treatment.
SkyePharma unveils new controlled release technology
SkyePharma used its latest business review meeting to announce the imminent arrival of a new rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drug formulated using its novel controlled release drug delivery technology.
Toxic plant extracts form basis of stroke treatments
A toxic group of plant extracts has been found to protect animal tissue against the lack of blood that occurs in stroke giving rise to a new direction in the development of stroke treatment.
Valois uses Malvern's technology for novel nasal spray
UK-based Malvern Instruments has revealed that its next-generation particle size analysis system is being used by French contract manufacturer Valois in the validation of its unique nasal spray device.
Better relationship between wholesalers and manufacturers could cut costs
The traditional adversarial relationship of wholesalers with manufacturers must change to true partnership if both are to achieve better profits and secure the integrity of the drug supply chain, delegates of the annual general meeting of the European Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (GIRP) in Budapest have heard.
23-Jun-2006
Chinese scientists uncover leukaemia trigger point
Chinese scientists think they might have discovered what activates the development of Leukaemia signalling a novel direction in which new therapies can result to treat a disease that afflicts millions worldwide.
22-Jun-2006
Iomai registers needle-free vaccination patent
Vaccine developer Iomai has solidified its position in transcutaneous immunisation (TCI) by receiving a new US patent which outlines methods for inducing an immune response to Iomai's novel skin-patch-based vaccines.
Plethora shops around for drug delivery platforms
Looking for an edge in both proprietary and off-patent products, Plethora Solutions has licensed two drug delivery platforms from Maelor Pharmaceuticals and Metris Therapeutics in the UK.
Reversal of transgenic goat decision opens the door for 'pharming' in Europe
The world's first drug made from a genetically engineered goat has been given the thumbs up in Europe after being initially rejected in February. The decision has reopened the door for "pharming," where transgenic animals or plants are used to make drugs.
Chinese production of Tamiflu cleared
China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has authorised Shanghai Sunve Pharmaceutical and Yichang Changjiang Pharmaceutical to produce a licensed version of Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), the first such approval in China.
Millipore ups the speed of TTF processing
Millipore has unveiled new disposable Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) assemblies that reduce validation efforts, increase process speed and mitigate risks.
21-Jun-2006
Fresh diabetes treatment on the way
A chewing gum to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity is one step closer to reality after developers of the technology, Generex, formed a new partnership with Danish medicinal chewing gum specialists, Fertin Pharma, to develop the product.
Study warns excess fish farming drug use promotes resistance
A recently published report has highlighted the use of antibiotics in the rearing of fish could promote bacterial resistance leading to the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria in humans as well as the fish themselves.
Microtest boosts its aseptic fill/finish manufacturing capabilities
Testing services and contract manufacturing firm Microtest has announced it will invest $7.5m (€6m) in new facilities to expand its offering of pharmaceutical and virology testing services and fill/finish production capacity.
Aseptic nasal spray manufacturing an untapped market
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged the pharma industry to develop preservative-free nasal sprays, however, there is currently a vacuum of manufacturers that can fulfil such a requirement.
Protherics gives CoVaccine's novel adjuvant a shot
Biopharmaceutical firm Protherics has acquired a new adjuvant from Dutch company CoVaccine that it will use for its hypertension vaccine, hoping to boost antibody production by tenfold.
New partnership to focus on peptide delivery
Biotech company Genzyme Pharmaceuticals and drug delivery firm Brookwood Pharmaceuticals are now working together to create new ways of delivering peptide-based drugs.
20-Jun-2006
End-to-end pharma logistics now a reality
Newly-formed Sentry Logistic Solutions has built its first bridge, forming a partnership with BioStorage Technologies to offer global biopharma companies the first cold chain storage/logistics service that spans all phases of drug development.
Strong sales lead Laureate to expand on manufacturing
Laureate Pharma is planning to invest up to $9m (€7.1m) to expand its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in New Jersey with a new pilot production plant, as it seeks more capacity to cope with increased demand from clients for protein-based products.
Sanofi lets Novozymes buy Delta Biotechnology
Danish biotechnology firm Novozymes has acquired Delta Biotechnology from sanofi-aventis, looking to strengthen its bioprocessing expertise in enzymes and microorganisms with Delta's ability to manufacture recombinant proteins from baker's yeast.
19-Jun-2006
Biopharmaceuticals strong as Pall cuts down on workforce
Pall's pre-tax profits fell slightly in the third quarter of 2006 but its Biopharmaceuticals division has once again performed strongly, so speculation is rife as to whether it will escape an announced 10 per cent reduction of the filtration and separations giant's global manufacturing workforce.
Smart RFID couplings 'best way' to verify fluid line connections
Using quick disconnect couplings in fluid handling and manufacturing operations is the safest way to protect brand integrity by capturing fluid and product data from point of origin through point of use, according to a top Colbert expert.
World's first transdermal insulin shows promise
Many said it couldn't be done, but Australian pharma firm Phosphagenics has developed what it claims is the world's first transdermal insulin formulation and has received the first signs that the product may have blockbuster potential.
16-Jun-2006
Alzheimer's vaccine represents 'best hope'
A vaccine that has been developed for Alzheimer's disease, which targets the DNA, without any side effects, has produced promising results in mice.
15-Jun-2006
SR Pharma claims formulation triumph in siRNA drugs
Biotechnology firm SR Pharma has announced a technical breakthrough in the formulation of siRNA drugs, enabling them to be stored at room temperature and reconstituted in one simple step, thus extending shelf life and making administration easier.
India's Nicholas Piramal buys Pfizer's UK manufacturing plant
Continuing its aggressive entry into Europe's custom manufacturing arena, Nicholas Piramal (NPIL) has today acquired Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Northumberland, in a deal that could earn it more than $350m (€280m) by 2011.
Cuba's tobacco finds use in vaccine purification
The first ever monoclonal antibody obtained starting from transgenic plants with the purpose of purifying a human vaccine has been registered with Cuban authorities, meaning cigars may not be the only application the country's tobacco is used for in the future.
Testpak first to offer Stora Enso's smart packaging
Contract packaging firm Testpak has become the first company to install production equipment that allows it to make Stora Enso's prize winning child-resistant and senior friendly packaging.
FDA issues guidance as start date of new labelling law looms
The first revisions to the layout of drug package inserts in 25 years will come into effect as of June 30 and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a draft technical document to help drug manufacturers incorporate the changes.
14-Jun-2006
US leads attack on EU's chemicals bill
Galvanised by the US, thirteen of the EU's major trading partners have called for a reconsideration of the EU's draft chemicals legislation, calling it "potentially disruptive" to world trade.
Dairy kings strike new pharma partnership
Fonterra, New Zealand's biggest company, has received a green light from the European Commission to join with Dutch dairy group Campina to sell lactose to the pharma industry.
GSK to build $190m vaccine plant in Singapore
In the company's largest investment of its kind in Asia, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has decided to build a new vaccine manufacturing plant in Singapore, as several products in its pipeline approach commercialisation.
BASF's highly pure intermediate avoids side reactions
BASF has announced it has managed to produce the chemical intermediate N-ethyldiisoproylamine (EDIPA), also known as Huenig's base, at a purity of at least 99.5 per cent, helping manufacturers to stay clear from undesirable side reactions in pharmaceutical production.
Pill robot automates dispensing
Medical technology company e-pill has unveiled a new automated pill dispenser which delivers medications at the right time and in the right amount, ensuring compliance.
13-Jun-2006
Domino pushes pharma package printing forward
UK firm Domino Printing Sciences has launched a new data print solution that will allow the late stage customisation of printing on pharmaceutical packages.
Avecia spoilt for vaccine formulation choice
After receiving a grant of $3.9m (€3m) from the US government, British biotechnology firm Avecia has put together a consortium of four companies to develop a version of its anthrax vaccine with increased stability so it works without the need for the conventional cold chain.
A nudge but no push towards RFID from the FDA
While praising the benefits of radio-frequency identification (RFID), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has refrained from demanding its implementation in new measures it unveiled to combat counterfeit drugs, asking instead for a "pedigree" throughout the distribution system.
TAGSYS develops two new RFID readers
TAGSYS have developed two new item-level radio frequency identification (RFID) readers that it claims will improve pharmaceutical inventory management.
Bio-Bridge Science completes major construction of vaccine facility in China
US biotechnology firm Bio-Bridge Science, whose ambition is to develop an HIV vaccine, has finished major construction of a good manufacturing practice (GMP) research and manufacturing facility in Beijing.
12-Jun-2006
Invitrogen brings animal-origin free media formulation to new facility
Biotechnology firm Invitrogen has opened a new facility in New York which can make its Advanced Granulation Technology (AGT) media totally free of animal origin components while addressing key bottlenecks in drug production.
New oestrogen receptor opens up drug possibilities
A study that has uncovered core functional differences between a new oestrogen receptor could form the basis of novel and potentially more effective treatments of breast cancer as researchers sought to utilise this therapeutic target.
Pall offers free chromatography seminar
Pall is organising a free chromatography seminar in Paris this week presented by leading chromatographers from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and biologicals industries.
Egalet contracts SP Medical to make its erosion-based drugs through injection moulding
Drug delivery firm Egalet has asked SP Medical, a manufacturer of moulded plastics and coatings, to make sufficient clinical grade quantities of its therapeutics using injection moulding, which allows for greater uniformity and reproducibility in the production of tablets.
PARI and BOC in new gas exchange
German aerosol delivery firm PARI and UK medical gas provider BOC have agreed to jointly develop new gas-enabled drug delivery systems to help patients with compromised lung function.
Nastech secures manufacturing contract for new needle free osteoporosis drug
Nastech has secured a contract with Procter & Gamble (P&G) to ramp up manufacturing capacity for a new needle-free drug to beat osteoporosis, in anticipation of meeting expected global demand once the product is approved.
09-Jun-2006
New drug class adds to HIV treatment arsenal
Scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in the fight against HIV drug resistance by developing a drug that is the first in a new class of HIV drug candidates called Maturation Inhibitors.
08-Jun-2006
Gilead buys Degussa's API custom manufacturing unit
Biotechnology firm Gilead has acquired Raylo Chemicals, a Canadian production unit of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and advanced intermediates, from Degussa for €115m, seeking to bring more manufacturing capacity and expertise in-house.
SurModics technology gives edge to new drug-eluting stent
SurModics has licensed its advanced hydrophilic coating technology to Xtent for use in the delivery system of its novel drug-eluting stent (DES) system, designed to reduce the time, complexity and cost of coronary stent procedures.
Hovione passes 'most thorough and effective FDA inspection ever'
Fine chemicals company Hovione has passed an inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing site in Loures, Portugal, as it tries to conform with ever-stricter standards.
Schering-Plough axes 1,100 jobs as it cuts down on manufacturing
Determined to reduce costs in its manufacturing operations, Schering-Plough has announced the loss of 1,100 positions in manufacturing sites in Puerto Rico and New Jersey, aiming to save $100m (€78.1m) a year.
Werum passes management test
Werum Software & Systems has updated its manufacturing execution systems (MES) for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, enhancing process reliability and cost effectiveness.
07-Jun-2006
New labs to make production of drug delivery films easier
Drug delivery firm MonoSol Rx has inaugurated new analytical laboratories in its manufacturing facility in Indiana which will allow it to integrate all aspects of product development and manufacturing of drug delivery films.
Vectura and Unilever join to form new specialty pharma biz
UK novel drug delivery developer Vectura and UK venture capital firm Unilever Ventures have jointly established a new speciality pharmaceutical company focusing on oral and transdermal drug delivery systems.
First positive results for DNA-based flu vaccine
PowerMed has demonstrated the immunogenicity of an influenza DNA vaccine for the first time in humans using a new drug delivery system and claims it may serve as a cost-effective weapon against bird flu.
Degussa buys into Chinese fine chemical firm
Looking to add active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates to its Chinese portfolio, Degussa has acquired a majority stake in the Chinese fine chemicals firm Lynchem, allowing it to target the pharma industry more competitively.
BMS picks Massachusetts for $660m biologics production facility
Following a charm offensive by several US states, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has selected Devens, Massachusetts to build a significant manufacturing facility for several of its biologic drugs, ending months of speculation about the site's location.
06-Jun-2006
Big pharma in drug reformulation scramble
Major drug companies across the US are in process of reformulating their over-the-counter cold medications in time for a new law that comes in to effect later this year restricting the sale of drugs that contain pseudoephedrine.
Esko introduces new fast packaging programme
Packaging pre-production specialist, Esko has launched a new programme that it claims will streamline the pharma packaging process and bring new products to market up to 40 per cent faster.
US government contracts Cangene to produce botulism drug
Cangene has been awarded a five-year development and supply contract by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for 200,000 doses of heptavalent botulism antitoxin, in a deal worth up to $596m (€462m).
Bioxel looks to contractors for scale-up
Bioxel, a company which manufactures and markets taxane active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in chemotherapeutic drugs, has turned to two contract manufacturing companies to scale up production.
Sandoz approval could open the floodgates for biosimilars in US
German biopharma firm Sandoz has won a landmark first-of its-kind biosimilar drug approval in the US after a long battle with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The decision could open the floodgates for generics manufacturers in this lucrative market.
05-Jun-2006
Pall vows to end bottlenecks in biopharmaceutical manufacturing
As demand for protein-based drugs increases, Pall has introduced a new type of mixed-mode chromatography sorbents that make protein purification faster and cheaper.
Patheon 'dissatisfied' as profits stagnate
Canadian contract manufacturer Patheon saw pre-tax profits remain idle in the second quarter of 2006, leaving it struggling to find ways to boost profitability.
Advanced solid dose learning course makes GMP simple
A new e-learning course promises to cover everything one needs to know about demanding current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) topics such as standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Future testing on apes unavoidable, claims report
According to a new report the use of apes in animal testing could be unavoidable in the future, as the government could not rule out the prospect of experimentation on these primates.
SAFC unveils new proligo reagents
SAFC Supply Solutions has introduced new phosphoramidites and ancillary reagents for oligonucleotide (oligo) synthesis, promising consistent quality, tight specifications and reliability.
Gerresheimer ups its stake in China
German packaging firm Gerresheimer has ventured further into China, buying a majority interest in Chinese pharmaceutical packager Shuangfeng Group and gaining entry into the Chinese market for tubular glass packaging for the first time.
01-Jun-2006
New help for UK drug makers to pass FDA inspection
RSSL Pharma Training has established three new courses to help UK pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers prepare themselves for a plant inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Xemplar moves to fill inhaler manufacturing gap
MAP Pharmaceuticals has awarded the manufacturing of the metered-dose components of its new inhaler devices to Xemplar, who is one of the few contract manufacturers in the world that can take on such a challenge and is now upping manufacturing capacity to meet future demand in this evolving market.
Pro Mach seeks retort and sterilisation capabilities
Pro Mach, one of the largest providers of packaging products, services and integrated solution sets in North America, has acquired Allpax Products, a manufacturer of sterilisation, material handling and automated control systems for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Schweizerhall devotes to pharma
Determined to transform itself from a chemical distributor to a drug firm, Schweizerhall has sold its chemical business unit to Brenntag for SFr93m (€60m), allowing it to pay for financial obligations, invest in its pharma division, and even make further acquisitions.
Wyeth blasted by the FDA over its Puerto Rico manufacturing plant
In a scathing letter to Wyeth, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has vehemently criticised the drugmaker's manufacturing operations in Puerto Rico, accusing it of failing to report failures even when it was aware of them.
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