The Challenge of Change - Managing Excipients Control
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Portuguese active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) developer Hovione says that its sales for the year ended March 31st 2008, which at $103.7m (€65.5m) were up 11 per cent on the previous fiscal year, reflect the benefits of considerable infrastructure investment it made last year.
An advance in drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been made according to research published in PLoS ONE.
Parallel traders have hit back at some of the EU Commission's anti-counterfeiting measures and big pharma's support for them.
Industrial separation specialist Upfront Chromatography believes that its new range of disposable absorption chromatography units will help monoclonal antibody (MAb) makers significantly reduce production costs.
in-PharmaTechnologist's round-up of developments in the field of drug delivery, this week includes: a developmental micro-needle approach for ocular medications; AlphaRx' anti-infective Zysolin nanoparticles; and OptiNose's nasal migraine treatment.
US researchers have developed a more sensitive method of detecting whether athletes have taken drugs to artificially boost testosterone which increases physical performance.
High throughput (HT) screening expert IonGate has joined forces with liquid handling quality assurance leader Artel to support its drug discovery research technology in the US.
Sigma-Aldrich has introduced a new high-throughput (HT) plasmid DNA purification kit for transfection applications in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.
Newly formed independent business, Sterilin Ltd., is aiming to increase the quality of laboratory analyses with its range of single-use labware.
STMicroelectronics (ST) and Debiotech, which are based in Lausanne and Geneva respectively, have completed the production of an evaluation prototype of their insulin Nanopump.
UK drug major GlaxoSmithKline is examining operations at its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing plant in Montrose, Scotland, with an eye to potential job cuts.
West has launched the first silicone-oil-free, prefillable syringe, which minimises the quantity of leachables in the pharmaceutical product.
Sanofi-Aventis is to invest $6.25bn into vaccine production between now and 2015 as the company attempts to keep pace with rising demand.
Visiongain's third annual conference on Pharmaceutical Anti-counterfeiting Strategies kicks off next week, covering many aspects of the problem from technological deterrents, regulatory developments in the EU and US and the implications for parallel trade.
Canada-based Microbix has pulled off a coup in sealing a deal with the Chinese government for construction of a facility that will increase the world's vaccine supply by 20 per cent.
A recent study conducted by Eli Lilly's research laboratories division suggests that quantitative ion mobility spectrometry (qIMS) can offer drugmakers a rapid on-site means of verifying the cleanliness of manufacturing equipment.
Pfizer has agreed to pay $975,000 to resolve alleged violations of PharmaMACT regulations, in the first settlement of its type in a federal court.
IndiaSoft Technologies, which is headquartered in the city of Pune in Maharashtra state has won the contract to distribute Performance Fluid Dynamics' (PFD) DynoChem productivity software to drug manufacturers in the region.
in-PharmaTehcnologist.com presents a round-up of recent developments in contract manufacturing, including deals for Scil Proteins and ANDAPharm.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NanoEncryption technology, a method for applying anti-counterfeit measures to dosage forms.
Slovenian drugmaker Krka has paid just under $1.6m (€1m) for 7.5 per cent stakes in two Chinese drug and chemicals firms, namely Zhejiang Menovo Pharmaceuticals and Anhui Menovo Pharmaceuticals.
European pharmaceutical manufacturers stepped up calls for a blanket ban on repackaging of pharmaceuticals last week, suggesting that this would be the single most effective way to seal the supply chain for counterfeiting drugs.
Nventa Biopharmaceuticals hopes that the enhanced durability of its new Poly IC-Poly arginine (Poly-ICR) adjuvant will help it capture a significant share of the therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine markets.
Strativa Pharmaceuticals has acquired exclusive US commercialisation rights to MonoSol Rx's thin film technology for delivering ondansetron.
BASF's drug excipient manufacturing site in Geismar, Louisiana in the USA has been accredited under the US Pharmacopoeia's (USP) voluntary certification scheme.
in-PharmaTechnologist.com presents its periodic round-up of personnel changes in the pharmaceutical sector.
Continuing in the series analysing the industries response to the EU's counterfeiting measures in-PharmaTechnologist.com tackles the generic industry's reply.
US technology specialist Honeywell International says that new features of its POMSnet manufacturing execution system (MES) can help pharmaceutical firms reduce production errors.
A merger between PacificGMP and Pacific Biopharma Group is to create one of the largest single-use biomanufacturing facilities in the US or China.
Dutch assay experts Qiagen are aiming to remove the bottlenecks hindering important research into the epigenetics of cancer and hereditary diseases with the expansion of its EpiTect product line.
Eli Lilly and Rexam are both investing in their French manufacturing facilities in preparation for the production of an insulin pen they are developing.
Patheon, fresh from announcing a new corporate brand and logo, has continued its makeover by moving its corporate headquarters from Toronto in Canada to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and will also build a new laboratory in the US state.
South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion is teaming up with SAFC Biosciences to improve its manufacture of biologically-active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
in-PharmaTechnologist.com's periodic round-up of developments in the pharmaceutical manufacturing space includes new facilities, South Africa luring Chinese investors and an advance in modular cleanrooms.
Commonwealth Biotechnologies (CBI) has planted its first roots in Japan, as the world's number two pharmaceutical market continues to attract foreign firms.
Pfizer may be poised to make a counter bid for Ranbaxy, potentially scuppering the takeover by Daiichi which appeared to be a done deal.
In-PharmaTechnologist.com presents a digest of recent developments in the world of pharmaceutical ingredients, with news involving Evonik, BASF, Qiqihar No. 2 Pharmaceutical Co and Shengtai Pharmaceutical.
Germany's Bayer hopes that its pilot-scale production facility in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt will help establish its tobacco plant-based expression system as leader of the lucrative protein manufacturing sector.
Serious concerns over the future of drug development have been raised by the annual biotechnology report from Marks & Clerk.
The PER.C6 cell culture-based antibody production platform has achieved a new record yield of 27 grams of IgG antibody per litre, bettering the 15 gram per litre mark that was reported earlier in the year.
Invitrogen plans to cement its place as one of the world's largest suppliers of analysis tools and reagents for the life science and pharmaceutical industries by acquiring Applied Biosystems (ABI).
Baxter has successfully produced H5N1 influenza vaccine in African green monkey kidney cells in quantities sufficient for clinical testing, according to an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
UK biotechnology group Avecia Biologics has set up a new formulation studies team to support the activities of its contract manufacturing and process development operations.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing for Congress to approve the use of more third-party inspectors as the regulatory body attempts to police a complex global supply chain.
Patheon has set up a subsidiary in Japan to tap into the emerging market for contract manufacturing and development services in the country.
A US senator has asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a probe into outsourcing of production for pharmaceuticals, as well as ways to make drugmakers accountable for products which fail to meet quality standards.
USA-based Bentley Pharmaceuticals is moving forward with plans to spin-off its drug delivery division as a publicly-traded entity under the name CPEX Pharmaceuticals.
Drupa 2008, the largest printing equipment exhibition in the world, had new products for the pharmaceutical industry on show from FAG, Xerox, Amcor Flexibles and AVT.
DSM and the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) have criticised the European Commission's proposals for tackling counterfeit active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Germany's Uhlmann says that a process offered by its new range of blister packaging machines that removes the need for an additional product chain in the cartoner will help drugmakers save time, space and money.
In the latest biotechnology courtroom battle, Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) reported that it has filed suit against BioArray Solutions for deliberately infringing three of its patents that relates to technology capable of detailed cell analysis using a silicon chip.
Beckman Coulter and Orchid Cellmark have filed a lawsuit against Sequenom in another patent infringement case that alleges Sequenom is guilty of violating patents belonging to Orchid and licensed to Beckman.
GE Healthcare has announced its intention to invest $20m in radical new technology, which will allow laboratory research results to be transmitted and shared amongst doctors worldwide setting to define a new age in patient care.
in-PharmaTechnologist.com presents its periodic round-up of personnel changes in pharmaceutical manufacturing and development.
Indian active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers have had to begin scaling down production in response to a spike in raw materials costs.
Introgen Therapeutics says advances in its biologics manufacturing and storage technologies have allowed it to broaden the scope of its contract manufacturing operations and set up a new unit called Introgen Technical Services (ITS).
Seizures of counterfeit medicines shot-up by 24 per cent in 2007, according to the latest figures from the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI).
Ineos Polyolefins hopes that its new Eltex MED low-density polythene (LDPE) packaging line will provide pharmaceutical manufacturing firms with a means of meeting the demands of long term storage.
in-PharmaTechnologist.com's periodic round-up of developments in the pharmaceutical manufacturing space this week features three new technologies that are designed to help drugmakers improve the manufacture of powder-based products.
Japanese pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo is set to acquire a majority stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories, in the biggest takeover deal of an Indian pharmaceutical firm by an international company.
Auditing firm blue inspection body (BIB) has achieved a type 'A' independence rating under German accreditation organisation DAP's scheme to certify the third-party inspection of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers.
Researchers have developed a drug delivery device which attaches to the eye and could negate the need for repeat injections.
A company based in the US and Germany has set up what it describes as a 'Facebook for scientists', in a move that brings the phenomenon of social networking firmly into the workplace.
The pharmaceutical industry could save millions by adopting new crystal monitoring technology, according to research published in Crystal Growth and Design.
The impending ban on albuterol inhalers that use chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants will see branded hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-based products completely dominate the US market as, to date, no generic HFA albuterol has been developed.
Contract pharmaceutical services supplier Arch Pharmalabs has purchased a 70 per cent stake in fellow India-based active pharmaceutical supplier (API) Benzochem Lifesciences for around Rs 1bn ($23m), strengthening its position in the cancer drug market.
Japanese glass and chemical company Central Glass has found a swift route into the contract manufacturing market for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Europe via the purchase of Girindus' facility in Halle-Kuensebeck.
Gold nanoparticles coated with alternating stripes of two different molecules can penetrate a cell membrane without killing the cell, according to research in Nature Materials.
Big pharma's responses to the European Commission's proposals for tackling counterfeiting have thrown up a diverse range of viewpoints.
India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries says that Taro Pharmaceuticals' plans to sell off its R&D and manufacturing facility in Ireland, is part of a "concerted effort to discourage Sun from pursuing its rights to acquire Taro."
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has urged for greater international cooperation as it outlined how to prevent a repeat of the heparin crisis.
Indian biotech company Biocon has started using pre-filled syringes for the administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF) and erythropoietin.
In the future, drug firms will expect Asian contract research organizations (CRO) to offer improved discovery, development and management capabilities, according to Commonwealth Biotechnologies (CBI) CEO Paul D'Sylva.
Life Science equipment specialists Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its latest liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system, which builds on existing mass analyser technology to produce a instrument for scientists in analytical laboratories.
The American Society for Mass Spectrometry meeting (ASMS) was the scene of a lot of activity from Agilent this week as the lab instrument specialist unleashed new mass spectrometer products at the show.
A new European initiative that brings together biological material, such as DNA, tissue, cells or other human samples within a central 'biobank' infrastructure is set to be given the go-ahead creating a unique collection that will aid drug discovery, personalised medicines and future therapies.
Personalised medicine took a giant leap forward this week as the regulation of an oestrogen receptor was reported in a unique study that has implications in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment for breast cancer.
The European Commission has published the responses to its proposals for tackling the problem posed by counterfeit medicines.
Advanced functionalities, including those that aid patient compliance, will come to dominate the drug packaging market over the next few years, according to a study by the Freedonia Group
A patient has completed the first successful dosing cycle with small interfering RNA (siRNA) for the treatment of cancer in a clinical trial.
Contract manufacturing group Helix Medical hopes that expansion of its global production capacity will help it corner the pharmaceutical industry's injection moulding thermoplastics market.
The new European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opened its doors in Helsinki this week, with questions raised immediately about its ability to handle the thousands of registration requests required under the controversial REACH legislation.
Agilent Technologies has licensed BIA Separations' bio-monolithic technology and intends to use it in the commercialisation of analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) bio-monolith columns.
Although there has been considerable industry effort to monitor and control the distribution of pharmaceutical raw materials, the voluntary nature of this regulation means that the supply network is still susceptible to unscrupulous operators.
PDL Biopharma has restructured its board of directors and reaffirmed its strategic focus as it attempts to recover from a challenging period.
US drug giant Pfizer hopes that its collaboration with student engineers at New Jersey's Rowan University will help lessen the environmental impact of its best selling arthritis drug Celebrex (celeboxib).
in-PharmaTechnologist.com presents its periodic round-up of personnel changes in pharmaceutical manufacturing and development.
in-PharmaTechnologist.com's periodic round-up of developments in pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment includes a new anti-counterfeiting tool and a system that ensures proper heat sealing temperatures for blister packaging.
Biotech research has taken a giant leap following the launch of a NASA shuttle containing an experiment for development of a Salmonella vaccine.
US-based Dow Chemical has reached a settlement in a long running court battle with two former executives who were involved in unauthorized talks to sell the firm early last year.
Canadian contract manufacturer and consultancy firm PharmEng International has published its 2007 accounts, and says it remains firmly focused on getting into the black in 2008.
US packaging specialist Chesapeake's new Pro-tex anti-counterfeiting technology is designed to provide drugmakers, distributors and consumers with a simple, cost-effective means of instantly verifying the authenticity of individual pharmaceutical products.
The International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers has reported the first findings of a five-year new programme aimed at working tackling one of the toughest problems in pharma manufacturing at present - how to implement the new quality systems model laid out by the International Conference on Harmonization.
UK-based biopharmaceutical company Polytherics hopes that its polymer technology can offer drugmakers a new method of solubilising solid dosage medications.
The Bio Affinity Company (BAC) has been contracted to create a purification method for the production of a recombinant protein, the clotting agent factor VIIa, made in the milk of transgenic animals.
A comprehensive review of stimuli-responsive molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in Current Drug Delivery has highlighted their potential within the pharmaceutical industry.
in-PharmaTechnologist.com's periodic round-up of developments in the pharmaceutical manufacturing space includes the expansion plans of two Malaysian companies and lay-offs in Ireland.
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