Keeping an Eye on the Ultimate Prize

Often, the details of everyday work problems and challenges divert your focus from the ultimate goals: the proverbial ‘you can’t see the forest for the trees’. It is programs such as the 2016 CPhI Pharma Awards that offer the opportunity to reassess the goals of the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing industry and appreciate the contributions of the talented individuals and committed companies working to advance patient well-being.

The demand for quality, effective, and affordable drugs places great responsibility on drug companies, which must produce these products while meeting financial expectations. These innovator and generic-drug companies need materials, equipment, instruments, facilities, and expertise to meet these requirements.

Behind every therapy is a team of researchers and scientists that develop the tools needed to create better therapies, to get them to market faster, and make them cost-effective.

At CPhI Worldwide in Barcelona in October 2016, the CPhI Pharma Awards recognized the companies that provide these important tools, materials, and services, often in an unsung role.

The technologies and services represented by the 60 finalists were the result of intensive R&D efforts and investment. I’m sure there were many moments of frustration where the ‘trees’ seemed to close in and block the overall view of the forest.

The 2016 Awards competition featured more than 100 entrants, challenging the judging panel to evaluate high-quality products and services for all phases of drug formulation, manufacturing, and distribution, as well as corporate sustainability and leadership.

The increased competition is a sign of strength of the market. Competition breeds better technology and services, which will help drug companies make better therapies.
Companies that develop products or provide services to support the bio/pharma industry should be recognized for their innovation, attention to details, and efforts at developing the systems that serve as the foundation for advancing the pharma industry.

The winners should take a moment to appreciate the ‘forest’ and all the patients around the world who benefit from their efforts and innovation.

The winners of the 2016 CPhI Pharma Awards are as follows:

• API Development-Novel synthesis of Dronederone intermediate, Cambrex

• Formulation and Excipients-Intrinsically Enteric Capsule Technology for enteric protection and delayed release, achieved without functional coating, Capsugel; and Parteck SRP 80 Excipient, Merck KGaA’s life-science business (referred to as MilliporeSigma in the United States and Canada)

• Manufacturing Technology and Equipment-The future of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing: ConsiGma, GEA Group

• Bioprocessing-BioSC Lab: downstream purification breakthrough for the biopharma industry, Novasep

• Analysis, Testing, and Quality Contro-NanoLIBS, B&W Tek

• Drug Delivery Devices-3M Intelligent Control Inhaler, 3MPackaging--Pyclear Protection for patient protection and cost efficiency, Pylote SA

• Supply Chain, Logistic, and Distribution-MENA region, Raising Star with New Challenges, Pharma Venture Mena FZC

• Contract Services and Outsourcing-OptiForm Solution Suite and Opti-Form Solution Suite Bio, Catalent Pharma Solutions

• Regulatory Procedures and Compliance-Emprove program, Merck KGaA’s life-science business (referred to as MilliporeSigma in the United States. and Canada)

• Corporate Social Responsibility-Centella asiatica project in Madagascar, Indena S.p.A.

• CEO of the Year-Udit Batra, member of the executive board and CEO, Merck KGaA’s life-science business (referred to as MilliporeSigma in the United States and Canada).

Additional information about the winning technologies will be published in future issues of Pharmaceutical Technology and on www.pharmtech.com.

Article Details

Pharmaceutical Technology
Vol. 40, No. 11
Page: 12

Citation

When referring to this article, please cite it as R. Peters, " Keeping an Eye on the Ultimate Prize," Pharmaceutical Technology 40 (11) 2016.