Genzyme rejects Sanofi’s $18.5bn bid; IPT looks at biotech’s turbulent 18-months

31-Aug-2010 - Genzyme has rejected Sanofi-Aventis' $18.5bn (€14.5bn) takeover bid, describing it as offering no improvement in price on the previous proposal and failing “to establish a basis for engagement.”

Spenser highlights chitosan advantages for XR delivery

31-Aug-2010 - Laboratory study shows succinyl-chitosan extended-release (XR) excipient could outperform commercially-available delivery technologies, says Spenser Pharmaceuticals.

Unilife’s Q4 income down on costs and rev decline

31-Aug-2010 - Syringe maker Unilife said it was hit by falling revenues, costs of US relocation and workforce expansion in Q4, but that significant business progress was made in fiscal 2010.

News in brief

SK opts for Xcellerex’ tech for vac production

31-Aug-2010 - SK Chemicals hopes Xcellerex’ manufacturing technology will boost vaccine production business.

US gov support needed for overhaul of vacc production

31-Aug-2010 - Cell culture, LAIV vaccines and recombinant DNA technology should be supported by the US government as part of a long-term overhaul of pandemic response capabilities, according to PCAST.

Lonza buys Vivante to expand custom biologics biz

30-Aug-2010 - Lonza buys viral-based biologics maker Vivante GMP Solutions to broaden custom manufacturing offering.

Contractors poaching regulatory, quality and clinical talent, says ZRG

30-Aug-2010 - ZRG Partners says there was a “fight for talent” in hiring, firing and vacancies in Q2, with the outsourcing and pharmaceutical sectors battling for employees within regulatory, quality and clinical...

Changes to India’s pharma imports & exports, visualised

30-Aug-2010 - Proposed changes to compulsory licensing and foreign ownership oversight in India sparked discussion last week. To explore the topic, in-PharmaTechnologist presents interactive charts detailing market changes in the country over...

People on the move: pharma jobs

30-Aug-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Discovery Labs, NewAge Industries and Jennerex.

News in brief

Sanofi goes public on $18.5bn bid for “unwilling” Genzyme

30-Aug-2010 - Sanofi Aventis has gone public with its $18.5bn (€14.5bn) takeover bid for US biotech Genzyme, putting more pressure on firm’s “unwilling” board

Amcor: Alcan costs cut profits; but pharma flexibles unit boosts sales

26-Aug-2010 - The Flexibles packaging unit acquired in Alcan Packaging deal boost sales, but integration costs hit fiscal 2010 net profit at Australia’s Amcor.

News in brief

FactoryTalk 2.1 adds EBR

26-Aug-2010 - Electronic batch recording (EBR) capabilities have been added to version 2.1 of FactoryTalk Pharma Suite by Rockwell Automation.

Tech could allow more drugs to be delivered transdermally

26-Aug-2010 - Transdermal delivery of a broader range of therapeutics could be possible using microdevice fabrication technology Vyteris inked a deal to access.

Disposable manufacturing drives CMC’s Seattle expansion plans

26-Aug-2010 - A fully-equipped disposable manufacturing facility has been added to CMC Biologic’s Seattle, WA site, as the first stage of a major expansion plan.

Mtech adds non-GMP capacity for Maryland biotechs

26-Aug-2010 - Mtech Bioprocess is to double scale-up square footage and staff to support Maryland, US biotechs’ non-GMP production work.

India ponders compulsory licensing revisions to cut prices

25-Aug-2010 - India is considering strengthening compulsory licensing provisions, which allow third parties to produce patented products, in response to concerns about overseas takeovers and drug prices.

News in brief

Cipla to buy Meditab for $28m

25-Aug-2010 - Indian pharmaceutical firm Cipla is to buy Meditab Specialties to boost active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and intermediate production capacity.

Aileron protein delivery tech lands potential $1bn Roche deal

25-Aug-2010 - Cell penetration and pharmacodynamics boosting “stapled peptide” tech wins Aileron Therapeutics potential billion dollar protein drug development deal with Roche.

Stirling Pharma’s Canadian production plant to open by late September

25-Aug-2010 - Stirling Pharma’s state-of-the-art Canadian plant will open its doors in late September, and first to come off the production line will be the drug, acetaminophen.

Pandemic vaccine production time could be halved in 3 years

25-Aug-2010 - A review of US capabilities has concluded that the time to produce a pandemic vaccine could be halved through adoption of short-term policies.

News in brief

NexMed granted new NexACT patent in Israel

24-Aug-2010 - Delivery technology-focused CRO NexMed says it has strengthened its IP position with a new patent award for its NexACT technology from Israeli authorities.

Alexion secures second source as site gets FDA approval

24-Aug-2010 - The FDA has approved Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ Rhode Island, US plant for commercial supply of Soliris (eculizumab), giving the biopharm a second source.

Stabilitech inks vaccine stabilisation deal with US military

24-Aug-2010 - Stabilitech is increasing the temperature range tolerance and ambient storage lifespan of two vaccines for the US military.

Chemir launches ‘Custom Synthesis’ designer compound service

23-Aug-2010 - Chemir Analytical Services launches custom synthesis service for organic molecules for drug R&D, aimed at small pharma companies with rush or emergency projects.

People on the move: pharma jobs

23-Aug-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including J&J strengthening manufacturing and appointments at Alexza and Inspire.

News in brief

Mettler says in-line granulation monitoring can cut time to market

23-Aug-2010 - Mettler Toledo’s new in-line granulation monitoring tech may make in-process particle characterisation less of a grind.

SAFC and Novozymes Biopharma extend partnership in exclusive growth hormone distribution

19-Aug-2010 - SAFC and Novozymes Biopharma have agreed to extend their partnership by ten years for the exclusive distribution of LONG R3 growth factor, used for industrial cell culture applications.

Midatech, MonoSol Rx file US patent app for nano delivery

19-Aug-2010 - Midatech and MonoSol Rx have filed a provisional US patent application covering a nanoparticle film drug delivery system for administering biologics.

AVT builds 100% inspection system for Boehringer capsules

19-Aug-2010 - Allied Vision Technologies (AVT) says new imaging machine offers “100 per cent inspection” capability to help drugmakers meet quality rules.

News in brief

Biologics market worth $158bn by 2015, new report

19-Aug-2010 - Improving safety and efficacy coupled with drug industry desire for “stronger” patents will drive growth of the biologics sector over the next five years, according to new research.

Imclone closes US Erbitux plant

18-Aug-2010 - Imclone has closed the manufacturing facility in Branchburg, New Jersey where it produces the cancer drug Erbitux, according to reports in the US media.

CardioGenics “biologics beads” to change antibody extraction landscape

18-Aug-2010 - CardioGenics predicts yield boosting “biologics beads” will change the antibody extraction landscape after signing distribution deal with Merck Chimie.

E coli production an option for affordable conjugate vaccines

18-Aug-2010 - Producing conjugate vaccines in recombinant E coli is potentially simpler and more cost-effective than alternatives, say researchers, but the method suffers from low yields.

Aesica plans £3m high potency expansion

18-Aug-2010 - Aesica will build a “high containment” manufacturing plant to expand its high potency drug formulation capabilities in line with growing demand.

News in brief

Granules India's Q1 profit falls 77%, revenues climb

17-Aug-2010 - API maker Granules India’s Q1 profit hit by “challenging environment,” bad debts write-off and foreign exchange rates, but revenue climbs.

Octapharma licenses new BAC purification ligand

17-Aug-2010 - Bioprocess purification chromatography tech wins BAC new deal after Swiss protein maker Octapharma licenses it for commercial-scale manufacture.

Patheon partners with TraceLink to boost production efficiency

17-Aug-2010 - Patheon is partnering with TraceLink to increase manufacturing efficiencies through closer integration and collaboration with clients.

Scolr cuts losses on reduced R&D spending, Q2 revs down

16-Aug-2010 - Scolr Pharma reduces losses despite drop in revenue by cutting spending on product R&D and operations.

News in brief

Aspen to buy Sigma’s pharmaceutical unit for A$900m

16-Aug-2010 - Australia-based Sigma has agreed to sell its pharmaceutical division to Aspen for A$900m (US$802m).

People on the move: pharma jobs

16-Aug-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including Ranbaxy’s CEO stepping down and appointments at Avid, the USP and Novavax.

EMA, FDA seek applicants for joint GMP inspections

16-Aug-2010 - The EMA and FDA are seeking pharma manufacturers to participate in a joint GMP (good manufacturing practice) inspection pilot programme.

News in brief

India’s pharma strength a driver for foil sector, says Gujarat Foils

12-Aug-2010 - Gujarat Foils says India’s position as global pharmaceutical manufacturing hub will be a key driver for the aluminium foils sector.

US army funding creation of delivery tech for IED injuries

12-Aug-2010 - The US army is funding development of a delivery system for administering pain and infection control drugs to treat battle-related injuries.

Costs offset revs at Furiex, but Eshelman upbeat about prospects

12-Aug-2010 - Furiex posts Q2 loss as increased R&D spending and higher admin costs offset revenue gains, but firm is confident development model can boost partners’ pipelines.

BARDA funding vaccine capacity creation in developing world

12-Aug-2010 - BARDA is providing the WHO with $6.4m (€5.0m) to cooperatively develop influenza vaccine production capacity in under-resourced nations.

Elan halts EDT sale, again; AD drug into Ph III

11-Aug-2010 - Elan puts plans to sell EDT delivery division on hold because market is not “conducive to an appropriate valuation.”

Merck to buy back Riverside plant for key API supply

11-Aug-2010 - US drugmaker Merck & Co has announced plans to reacquire a Pennsylvania manufacturing plant to guarantee supply of key active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

News in brief

Weifang Shengtai inks 10,000 ton dextrose monohydrate deal

11-Aug-2010 - China-based Weifang Shengtai Pharmaceutical is to supply Kelun Pharmaceutical with 10,000 tons of injection grade dextrose monohydrate.

Medicago to build 90,000 sq ft vaccine plant in RTP

11-Aug-2010 - Medicago is to build a 90,000 sq ft cGMP vaccine facility in RTP, North Carolina, US using a $21m (€16.1m) grant from the US Department of Defense.

Synthetech says revs down in Q1; unveils plans to expand

10-Aug-2010 - Lower overseas demand from key customers hurt fine chemicals maker Synthetech in first quarter fiscal 2011, continuing the decline seen in the previous financial year

Endo to buy Penwest for Opana ER tech

10-Aug-2010 - Endo Pharmaceuticals will pay $168m (€127.7m) for drug delivery tech and formulations firm Penwest Pharmaceuticals in bid to expand pain portfolio.

News in brief

Grant to fund liposomal drug delivery research

09-Aug-2010 - Researchers in the US have received a grant to fund a three-year, collaborative research project looking at lipid bilayer encapsulated liposomes.

Vectura licenses dry powder tech to GSK

09-Aug-2010 - Respiratory formulations specialist Vectura has licensed two dry-formulation technologies to GSK, further strengthening its position in the $25bn (€19bn) asthma and COPD market.

J&J unit licenses Depomed drug delivery technology

09-Aug-2010 - A Johnson & Johnson (J&J) unit has licensed a gastric retentive drug delivery technology from Depomed for use in a combination therapy.

People on the move: pharma jobs

09-Aug-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Watson Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Lupin and AmerisourceBergen.

Cel-Sci completes first Multikine batch at "Cold Fill" plant

05-Aug-2010 - Cel-Sci’s recently opened “Cold fill” facility has passed its first manufacturing test by completing filling of a batch of the candidate head and neck cancer drug Multikine for a late-stage...

Penwest Q2 revs up, but job cuts likely

05-Aug-2010 - Penwest Pharmaceuticals raises guidance citing Opana ER royalties, deals and patent settlements as Q2 highlights; but warns that job cuts likely under cost cutting plan.

Ampac gains offset by costs

05-Aug-2010 - Ampac Fine Chemicals posted a 28 per cent jump in revenues in the third quarter but this was offset by manufacturing inefficiencies and validation costs.

Bill strengthening FDA drug safety power enters congress

04-Aug-2010 - A bill to strengthen drug safety requirements and FDA powers has been introduced into the US congress.

West cuts guidance despite higher Q2 sales

04-Aug-2010 - High tech packaging sales and revenue from acquired delivery businesses drive West Pharmaceutical Services growth in second quarter, but US firm cuts guidance.

News in brief

Lotus produces clinical trial materials

04-Aug-2010 - Lotus Pharmaceuticals has completed production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and tablets of R-Bambuterol for use in clinical trials.

Pfenex inks US anthrax vaccine production contract

04-Aug-2010 - Pfenex has won a US federal contract to use its expression technology for the rapid, cost-effective production of “unprecedented” amounts of anthrax vaccine.

US patients call for Fabrazyme patent break; Are you watching Sanofi?

03-Aug-2010 - Calls for US government to break Genzyme’s Fabrazyme patents accompany more speculation that French drugmaker Sanofi Aventis is in takeover talks.

Bilcare to boost EU and US access with €100m Ineos Films buy

03-Aug-2010 - Bilcare to buy Ineos’ rigid polymer films business for €100m ($132m) to improve access to pharmaceutical packaging customers worldwide.

FDA guidance aims to cut residual drug in delivery patches

03-Aug-2010 - FDA draft guidance published this week recommends manufacturers of drug delivery patches adopt QbD to minimise the amount of excess residual drug.

Aptuit wins Siena contract thanks to Italian R&D site

02-Aug-2010 - Recently-acquired Italian R&D facility helps Aptuit win new contract after local neuroscience-focused developer Siena Biotech names the CMO as “supplier of choice.”

Cancer Research UK opens biopharm production unit

02-Aug-2010 - Cancer Research UK has established a £18m ($28.4m) biopharm manufacturing unit to produce complex experimental drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies.

News in brief

Heinkel boosts separation offering with Comber buy

02-Aug-2010 - Heinkel expands pharmaceutical filtering and drying systems business with acquisition of Italian equipment maker Comber.

People on the move: pharma jobs

02-Aug-2010 - in-PharmaTechnologist presents its latest round up of movements in the pharma sector, including appointments at Roche, Caraco, CMP Therapeutics and Unilife.

in-Pharmatechnologist.com goes mobile

02-Aug-2010 - From today, you can access in-Pharmatechnologist.com from your mobile phone.