FDA may consider whether to add specific search criteria (e.g., those that would enable product-specific or violation-specific searches) to its inspections database to make it user-friendly and improve data analysis. The idea was included in a list of eight draft proposals for increasing transparency that the agency published on Oct. 3, 2011.

Merck Serono and Ono Pharmaceutical Sign MS, Cancer Pacts; Roche Names Rainer Metternich Head of Small-Molecule Research; and More.

EMA released two concept papers for consultation that address the need to revise existing guidelines on biosimilar medicines and influenza vaccines.

The CRO Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) will be acquired by the Carlyle Group and Hellman and Friedman in a deal valued at approximately $3.9 billion. PPD shareholders will receive $33.25 per share in cash, and PPD will become a privately held company after completion of the transaction.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has completed its acquisition of Nycomed for EUR 9.6 billion ($12.9 billion) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. In addition, Takeda has named Frank Morich, Takeda's executive vice-president of internal operations (Americas/Europe), as Nycomed's CEO.

Servier and the Belgium-based biotechnology company Galapagos are embarking on a multiyear strategic alliance to develop new cancer therapies. As a result of the alliance, Galapagos could receive milestone payments of more than EUR 250 million ($332 million).

Europe establishes new collaborative system to track products.

AAPS Global Health Focus Group's Kishor M. Wasan discusses new initiatives.

Getting the most value out of M&As requires proper upfront legwork.

Expanding the organization's mandate will strengthen inspections.

Letting contamination build up can cause multiple headaches.

In an effort to balance bilateral trade, India is urging China to increase Indian pharmaceutical imports.

Despite new hurdles, industry must move forward and fulfill its mission.

Electronic prescribing has grown strongly in the US but its future as a European-wide approach in healthcare has been uncertain; new regulatory interest could change the playing field.

Although the European market is approximately 50% smaller than the US in terms of landmass, the population of Europe is approximately 50% larger and this presents a huge market opportunity.

As editor of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe, I often have the opportunity to visit the sites of a wide variety of companies within the industry. Though differing vastly in the technologies and staff they employ, they all share one thing in common for me: the "you learn something new every day!" factor.

The latest meeting of the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has concluded with more than 15 positive opinions for new and generic drugs and the adoption of key concept papers.

Week of Sept. 26, 2011: BMS collaborates with Ambryx; Merck & Co. opens new R&D center; Teva acquires joint venture interest; and More.

FDA has published a guidance on Marketed Unapproved Drugs-Compliance Policy Guide, which describes the agency's enforcement priorities with regard to products that lack regulatory approval or that are not marketed in accordance with the over-the-counter drug review.

FDA has issued a guidance titled User Fee Waivers, Reductions and Refunds for Drug and Biological Products that outlines FDA's policies for issuing waivers, refunds or reductions in prescription drug user fees.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is looking to racecar technology as it seeks to improve its manufacturing, R&D, and consumer-healthcare areas. The company has formed a long-term partnership with the UK-based McLaren Group, which is best known for its expertise in the Formula 1 motor sport.

GE Healthcare, the health business of General Electric, will dedicate $1 billion of its total R&D budget during the next five years to its technologies for manufacturing biopharmaceuticals and for cancer research. Part of the money will go toward expanding the company's cancer-diagnostic and molecular-imaging capabilities, as well.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Completes Acquisition of Amira Pharmaceuticals; PPD Appoints Raymond H. Hill as CEO; and More.

President Obama released his plan for deficit reduction on Sept. 19, 2011, and included in the 80-page report are several provisions that would affect US drug makers if enacted.

Pfizer plans to invest EUR 145 million ($200 million) in its Grange Castle biotech-manufacturing site. Meanwhile, completion of the merger between Alkermes, Inc. and Elan Drug Technologies was announced in a press release on Sept. 16, 2011, following the approval by Alkermes, Inc. shareholders on Sept. 8, 2011.

Novartis presented an update on its long-term strategy, performance, and growth outlook last week, which revealed that the company is on track to deliver the strategic priorities it had set out in 2010.

In a 2004 guidance, FDA says that the "use of redundant sterilizing filters should be considered in many cases." But not all manufacturers agree on what redundant filtration is.

PharmTech's monthly newsletter, Equipment and Processing Report, reviews the Editor's Picks for the August 2011 edition from Lechler and National Bulk Equipment.