Also, GSK expands in Ireland, executive appointments at ProGenTech, more...

The US Food and Drug Administration appointed Frank M. Torti, M.D., M.P.H, as principal deputy commissioner and chief scientist. Torti's appointment with FDA will begin in May.

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a final guidance last week regarding investigational new drug applications for human gene therapy.

A manufacturing line can be improved if technology transfer is implemented thoughtfully. Effective technology transfer helps to provide process efficiency and control and maintain product quality.

MannKind suspended discussions with potential partners for the commercialization of its "Technosphere Insulin" product.

This issue of Equipment & Processing Report features products from Leistritz and Millrock Technology

Dave Drew, group pharmaceutical director of Matcon (Moreton-in-Marsh, UK), says that lean production is essential for drugmakers to survive in the current environment.

Takeda Pharmaceutical agreed to acquire Millennium Pharmaceuticals for $8.8 billion in cash or $25 per share.

Also, Alcon plans to open Singapore facility, Pharmacopeia president and CEO retired, more...

In an ongoing effort to secure the safety of prescription drugs, the US Food and Drug Administration has released its draft five-year plan under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to Amgen (Thousand Oaks, CA) last week asking the company to account for the high rebates it has given to certain physician groups who bought Aranesp.

Combining atomic force microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, scientists at the University of Illinois have demonstrated a method for simultaneous structural and chemical characterization of samples at the femtogram (10-15g) level.

Schering-Plough announced a major new productivity transformation program with a goal of achieving $1.5 billion in annual savings.

The US Food and Drug Administration withdrew a direct final rule that changed current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals. The agency withdrew the rule because it received significant adverse comments from industry.

The deadline for the implementation of California's prescription drug tracking system, ePedigree, has been delayed until January 2011.

At its annual meeting, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America elected Richard T. Clark, CEO and president of Merck & Co., chairman of its board.

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.

US pharmaceutical and biotechnology research companies invested $58.8 billion in research and development in 2007, according to analyses by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and Burrill & Company.

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

Filing risk and mitigation strategies is now a requirement for manufacturers of new drugs and biologics.

The former formulation-development business of MDS Pharma Services seeks to build its niche in early-phase drug development.

A reference book omits important information and ignores advanced testing procedures.

Essential components of a good inspection: good ingredients, proper inserts, and ... deer?

A changing regulatory environment is on the horizon for excipient suppliers and users.

Financial experts share their insights for the performance for innovator drug companies and generic-drug players.

Although there have been recent setbacks for China with regard to exported products, the country has made substantial strides in its pharmaceutical industry over the past few years. Intense competition and a series of new regulations seem to be moving the country into a period of recovery.

The FDA itself issues a cry for help. Is anybody listening?

Excipient producers and industry observers share their perspectives on innovation for excipients.