Analytics

Until recently, automated inspection of solid-dose pharmaceuticals was crude, expensive, slow, and difficult to change over. But technological advances have ushered in a new class of vision-inspection systems that is more effective and more commercially viable than older systems.

Also, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH to acquire Wave Biotech; AstraZeneca's John Patterson to retire; more...

Brief pharmaceutical news items for November 2008.

Attendees at a recent workshop endorsed new methods to detect metals in drugs, dietary supplements, and food ingredients.

Pharma companies could benefit from the lessons learned in this fall's financial crisis.

Pharmaceutical Technology will feature video coverage of AAPS this month.

Molecules called "chaperones" facilitate correct protein folding.

The authors explain the factors that can cause a failure in a bubble-point integrity test and what to consider when a product-specific bubble point must be defined.

The authors describe a novel approach for the integrity testing of large sterile filter systems such as multiround housings and describe a multipoint diffusion test capable of detecting minor failures.

Proper selection of normal flow filters leads to increased process efficiency from early phase product development through to full-scale biopharmaceutical production.

The authors present an aseptic-filling process for freeze-dried liquids using the closed-vial technology.

The author examines re-use of hydrophilic- or hydrophobic-membrane sterilizing-grade filters in liquid sterilizing applications.

FDA advocates building quality into a product through PAT.

Efficiency is more than just a buzzword in today's pharmaceutical industry; declining productivity and diminishing returns on investment have made it an over-arching mindset that is critical to corporate survival.

Also, Maxygen looks to costs, jobs; Receptor BioLogix appoints Dale R. Pfost CEO; more...

Pfizer and UCB formed a technology company named Cyclofluidic with the aim of accelerating the drug-discovery process.

Also, MedImmune opens Cambridge, UK, facility and makes reverse engineering pact with Omninvest; BD Medicine appoints Carol Adiletto VP of clinical and regulatory affairs; more...

Also, Millipore opens new membrane-casting manufacturing facility in Ireland; Surface Logix appoints Keith Dionne president, CEO, and a member of the board; more...

Also, Merck & Co. discontinues development of its obesity drug taranabant; Synthetech names Frederic Farkas director of manufacturing; more...

Advancements add yet another challenge for industry's already overextended regulatory body.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for October 2008.

Can previous trends of Democratic and Republican administrations predict industry's future?

Also, Alpharma advises shareholders to reject King's offer; ImClone rejects raised BMS offer; Immunogen appoints Daniel M. Junius, more...

The growth and globalization of the pharmaceutical supply chain make risk assessment more important than ever for pharmaceutical manufacturers. The authors describe a program to identify, prioritize, mitigate, and communicate risks in manufacturer–supplier relationships.

The biggest benefit of PAT and the current FDA initiatives may be in allowing pharmaceutical scientists to use their technical capabilities to improve pharmaceutical processes.

Also, Zentiva accepts Sanofi's increased takeover bid, Oriel Therapeutics appoints Richard Fuller CEO, more...

Also, Quintiles to expand Singapore operations; Christine A. Poon, chairman of Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceuticals group, to retire; more...

Also, Human Genome Sciences enters pact with Hospira, Zosano Pharma names Gail Schulze chair and CEO, more...

USP announced an interim revision to its monograph for levothyroxine sodium tablets, which will become official in USP 32-NF 27.

Also, Novartis stops development on "Aurograb," Zealand Pharma appoints David H. Solomon as CEO, more...