Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

One more step closer to finalization, the ISA 100 Wireless Compliance Institute presented a live demonstration of a prototype of the ISA 1001.11a wireless standard-based products at the 2008 Wireless Conference in Chongquing, China.

Also, VaxGen and Raven terminate merger agreement, Darren Head appointed CEO of Cytovance, more...

In a press release, the University of Texas announced that Mauro Ferrari, of the University?s Health Science Center at Houston, presented a proof-of-concept study of a new multistage delivery system for imaging and therapeutic applications.

Also, Alkermes announces restructuring and reduction of workforce, Icagen announces several senior management promotions, more...

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have successfully tested a new inhaled tuberculosis (TB) vaccine.

Sandoz introduced its "Omnitrope Pen 5" with liquid cartridge in the United States. The product was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is a new form of the first follow-on version of a recombinant biotechnology drug.

Also, Pipex Pharmaceuticals implements cost-cutting measures, Pfizer's Senior Vice-President and General Counsel Allen Waxman leaves the company, more...

The US Senate passed an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 budget bill that will increase the amount allotted to FDA by $71 million, bringing the agency's total FY 2009 budget increase to $375 million.

Hoping to provide a better understanding of its role in the heparin contamination investigations, the US Food and Drug Administration has posted a series of information sheets on its website.

This issue of Equipment & Processing Report features products from Eriez Magnetics and Netzsch Fine Particle Technology

When seeking to increase productivity, companies must consider worker–machine and worker–materials interactions. These factors are easy to overlook, but they affect workers' performance and health and a company's bottom line.

Packaging processes, like other pharmaceutical operations, benefit from the speed and repeatability that automation brings. Robotics in particular provide flexibility and accuracy. In some packaging applications such as carton loading, robotics also perform more efficiently than dedicated machines.

This year, INTERPHEX will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26?28. Equipment and Processing Report asked RJ Palermo, industry vice-president of Reed Life Sciences and INTERPHEX, to share his thoughts and expectations about the upcoming event.

The US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission (ChP) designed to strengthen the quality of medicine and foods in the United States and China.

Concerns over contaminated heparin product worsened as US officials announced dialysis patients in Germany have fallen ill after using a different brand of the blood thinner than was already being recalled.

Also, PDL BioPharma will no longer pursue sale of the company, executives resign from Topigen Pharmaceuticals, more...

The 59th Pittsburgh Conference gathered more than 1000 exhibitors on its showroom floor this week.

Also, Millipore plans to open Singapore facility, Michael J. Simms joins Alexza Pharmaceuticals, more...

A news roundup for March 2008.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for March 2008.

Also, Genmab will acquire PDL Pharma's Minnesota manufacturing facility, DSM Pharmaceuticals appointed Hans Engels president and business unit director, more...

Merck Capital Ventures, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., has invested $1.5 million to expand its service laboratory. The transaction with NanoImaging Services will add high-resolution, three-dimensional transmission electron microscope (TEM) capability, which allows biopharmaceutical researchers to see complex macromolecular structures they create with resolution as high as one nanometer.

APP Pharmaceuticals will boost manufacturing of therapeutic multidose vials of heparin.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued generics manufacturer Vintage Pharmaceuticals a warning letter stemming from July through August 2007 that found observations pertaining to microbial contamination and failures in testing and documentation procedures.

Last month, the European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry became operational. The organization hosted the 1st European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry Symposium to coincide with the launch of the program.

Also, Biocon will acquire 70% of AxiCorp, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals promoted Richard W. Pascoe to the new position of COO, more...

To ensure an effective treatment, a patient often must take equal doses of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at regular intervals.

Featured products from this issue of Equipment & Processing Report

Scientists at The Wistar Institute are taking further steps into understanding a gene regulator that can lead them closer to developing new cancer therapies.

Chesapeake to relocate and expand, AVI BioPharma appoints CEO, More...