Drug Development

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Research into Cold Cancers Heating Up

Accurately targeted immunotherapies through reliable neoantigen recognition enable personalized medicine development.

Research into Cold Cancers Heating Up

Development of Gamma-Delta T-Cell Therapies

Activation and expansion are essential for success in both autologous and allogeneic therapies.

Development of Gamma-Delta T-Cell Therapies

QbD for Small-Molecule Continuous Process Development

Continuous manufacturing and a quality-by-design development approach are a natural fit.

QbD for Small-Molecule Continuous Process Development

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Human plasma provides a rich source of therapeutic medicines, including gamma globulins, coagulation factors, albumin, alpha anti-trypsin and others. In 2001, sales of immuno gamma-globulin (IgG) were estimated at $2 billion with a production rate of 50 metric tons for the year.1 A number of therapeutic products have been introduced including Gammimune from Bayer, RhoPhylac from ZLB Behring and Octagam from Octapharma.

Scientists working at the Scripps Institute have re-engineered an antibiotic drug at the molecular level...

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This is a year of change for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA), the Washington, DC-based trade association representing chemical batch and custom manufacturers. Following the sale of Informex, its flagship trade show, last fall, the association is advancing key programs, most notably its new ChemStewards program, an environmental, health, safety, and security initiative (EHS&S) that its members began implementing last month.

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News

Chewing gum is being developed by Generex as an alternative buccal drug delivery method of metformin for treating diabetes. Results from a small clinical trial, which compared pharmacokinetic profiles of metformin gum with its traditional tablet form, suggest that the gum could additionally avoid the significant adverse gastrointestinal side-effects, including diarrhoea and nausea/vomiting, often accompanying the use of metformin tablets. Given that approximately 30% of metformin users experience such unwanted effects, the gum version could improve patient compliance.

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Drug delivery systems using biocompatible polymers allow controlled release of therapeutics, addressing many of the challenges of conventional administration. Polymer microspheres are attractive delivery systems, having a wide application in numerous therapeutic indications. This article reviews the current use and trends for polymer microspheres, and compares production methods and polymer characteristics.

Drug delivery cubed

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) have devised a self-assembling cube-shaped perforated container...