Formulation and Drug Delivery

Transdermal matrix-type patches of Nefopam hydrochloride with a combination of pressure-sensitive adhesives were developed. The polymeric composition provided a controlled and sustained release of the drug from the patches and demonstrated favorable physicochemical characteristics.

GSK Gains Approval for Rotavirus Vaccine in Infants; FDA Review Extended for Merck’s Shingles Vaccine

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.

FDA Recommends Changes for 2006-2007 Flu Vaccine

Baxter Wins Contract to Develop Cell-Based H5N1 Vaccine

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

Cambrex (East Rutherford, NJ) to produce Geron (Menlo Park, CA) telomerase anti-cancer vaccine. Generex (Toronto, ON.) files IND for synthetic vaccine to stimulate cell-mediated immunity to avian influenza. Dow Agrosciences (Indianapolis, IN) wins USDA approval for veterinary vaccine, the first manufactured via plant cell culture. G-8 nations pledge billons for vaccine production.

Merck wins approval for rotavirus vaccine as Sanofi ships investigational H5N1 vaccine to NIH and CDC explores new flue diagnostics and novel vaccine-production technology.

Dow AgroSciences Receives Regulatory Approval for Plant-Made Vaccine

The authors present an overview of various processes for producing nanoparticles and commercial nanoparticle technologies involved in the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Cell-Grown Vaccine Protects Against Avian Flu Virus

Although physicochemical preformulation screening is practised universally within the pharmaceutical industry, physicomechanical screening is applied to a lesser extent and often only where a problem exists.

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.

Though dissolution testing has been under scrutiny, it is still a powerful test method.

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using solid-state NMR spectroscopy for the analysis of pharmaceutical solids.

Sanofi Pasteur and BD Team Up to Produce Microneedle Vaccines

Applications of adsorption of small drug particles at the surface of large excipients were introduced, and different factors affecting adsorption process were discussed and summarized. Several examples of adsorbing drugs to excipients to increase dissolution rate were exhibited in this article.

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.

It's time for the pharmaceutical industry to consider electronic innovations as part of their life cycle management strategies.

Using the Bergum Method and the MS Excel software program, the author determines the probability of passing the USP dissolution test.

FDA Sees Hike in Combination Product Applications

Novartis Pharma and Ono Pharmaceutical have signed an agreement to codevelop and co market...

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

SEC Loosens Revenue-Recognition Rules for Vaccine Stockpile Participants

NIAID Boosts Vaccine Innovation but Draws Controversy