Drug Development

Brief pharmaceutical news items for March 2008.

Twenty years ago it was commonplace for pills, tablets and capsules to come in small, plastic or even glass bottles. Syrups were a much more common galenic solution than today, and individual dosages of injectables were only offered in glass vials and ampoules.

The stability of drugs in solid forms such as powders, tablets and capsules is usually determined very thoroughly by the drug's manufacturer. Based on stability study data, the shelf-life of a drug substance or a drug product is assigned. In addition to dispensing solid dosage forms to patients, pharmacists are frequently asked to compound oral liquid preparations for which the shelf-life or beyond-use date are assigned based on the pharmacist's best judgment - often without the benefit of stability data.

Conventional influenza vaccines use an egg-based culture and harvest process. This is slow and inflexible compared with emerging cell culture-based approaches that respond rapidly to the influenza virus's inherent ability to 'drift' or, more dangerously, 'shift' - a critical factor that would arise in the event of a pandemic.

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

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

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.

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...

Amira and GSK Form Agreement, Xenome Appoints Ian Nisbet CEO, More...

Contract manufacturers expand capabilities in aseptic processing, clinical-trial materials supply, and cytotoxic manufacturing.

The rise in overseas manufacturing undermines FDA oversight of drug quality.

PharmTech's polls feature user feedback on issues facing the pharmaceutical industry.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for February 2008.

A news roundup for February 2008.

Can an overload of patent applications lead to the US' demise as a scientific leader?

An updated book summarizes recent research for formulators and drug-delivery specialists.

A wave of pharmaceutical expansions is expected in Europe this year, surprisingly by Indian companies.

Text sirtuins are the new kinases, according to a presentation given last month at the JP Healthcare Investors Conference in San Francisco by Sirtis CEO Christoph Westphal.

Codexis Opens Budapest Lab, Allos Names Bruce K. Bennett VP of Manufacturing, More...

We are currently experiencing a problem with one of our tablet lines. While the tablets appear white immediately after manufacture, after a time many of the tablets begin to take on a yellowish appearance. Could this be an issue that surface analysis could help resolve?

Actavis Acquires Site From Pfizer, Cardiokine Names President and CEO, More...

Novo Nordisk Drops Inhaled Insulin Product, Neurocrine Appoints CEO and President, More...

Crucell and Sanofi Pasteur Sign Agreement, WuXi Pharma Names COO, More...

The National Nanotechnology Initiative's new strategic plan affirms the federal government's support for research and development in nanotechnology, including for medical and healthcare applications.

Merck Sells Facility to Cherokee Pharmaceuticals, Inflazyme Announces Senior Management Resignations, More...