Just over a week ago, I decided to hop on the early train to Glasgow, Scotland, so that I might catch at least half of the 8th bioProcess UK conference, focusing on advancing next generation therapies. The meeting was held in the very fitting Glasgow Science Center and, given the strikes over public sector pensions that day, there were plenty of youngsters mingling with the crowds—the next generation of bioprocess engineers perhaps? Amazingly, presentations were delivered in the IMAX theatre—I have never seen PowerPoint slides on such a scale before—but given the eminence of some of the keynote speakers involved, it too was quite apt. Read more »

Improving drug delivery is an important consideration in new drug development and in managing the product life cycle of existing drugs. Delivery mechanisms that can improve patient compliance, facilitate administration, and target delivery of an active are crucial goals. Drugs that are delivered topically provide an opportunity to realize these objectives, and an upcoming webcast on Dec. 7th by Pharmaceutical Technology gains insight from leading industry experts on how to optimize topical drug formulations and manufacturing. Read more »

On November 20–21, I had the honour of being Chairman at the Sterile Manufacturing Dialogue in Old Windsor, England. Despite a very foggy Sunday night and concern that European speakers and delegates would be delayed (many were forced to land at Gatwick airport rather than Heathrow), a healthy turn out early on Monday morning proved the worries to be unfounded.

After I kick-started the conference with a few choice words, notably the idea that many of those present would be unlikely to let me into their kitchens, let alone their sterile manufacturing facilities, the main event began. Read more »

Biopharmaceutical characterization—especially of unknowns—is becoming far more complex and far higher on the regulators’ radar.  Of particular interest for industry is compliance with harmonized guidelines that address FDA’s concept of a “well-characterized biological product,” which involves being able to measure and control the product’s identity, purity, impurities, potency, and concentration. Read more »

Topical drugs are an important sector in the pharmaceutical market, particularly as pharmaceutical companies seek innovative ways to improve drug delivery and patient compliance. An upcoming webcast on Dec. 7th by Pharmaceutical Technology gains insight from leading industry experts on how to optimize topical drug formulations and manufacturing. Read more »

Consortiums are nothing new, but they do seem to be popping up more than usual throughout the pharmaceutical sector lately. Rx-360 and its supply-chain efforts come to mind, as does the IQ consortium on advancing innovation in the quality of pharmaceutical development. There’s also an international pharmaceutical privacy consortium, a consultants consortium, and more.

The fact is, industry seems to be tired of waiting for standard-setting bodies and regulators to take action on solving key challenges such as counterfeiting, economically motivated adulteration, the implementation of quality by design, and so forth. It’s not that the agencies and organizations aren’t working on these issues, but they have to do deal with more legal and governmental bureaucracy than do representatives from various companies sitting around a table over coffee or drinks. Read more »

Another very busy day at CPhI Worldwide and co-located events with good meetings in every corner for all exhibitors.

If you missed yesterday’s blog, the winner of the Innovation Awards was Glycotope for its GlycoExpress platform technology, which optimised glycosylation of antibodies and other biotherapeutics. The award was received by a very proud and happy Jens Pohl, managing director on Oct. 25, 2011. Read more »

In attending CPhI this week in Frankfurt, one theme that repeatedly emerged was the increasing importance of CROs, CDMOs, and CMOs to build more strategic, deeper, and collaborative relationships with pharmaceutical companies as a way to meet the evolving needs of the industry and as a a mutual tool in value creation. Read more »

Walking through the halls of CPhI Worldwide, it was hard to recognise it as the space just a few short hours before; the place had been transformed by teams, presumably working through the night, and the addition of a good many people provided enough hustle and bustle even early on to indicate that it would be a good show for all. Read more »

The day started with a 5 o’clock alarm call and me feeling remarkably fresh to begin my journey to Frankfurt for this year’s CPhI Worldwide event. Unfortunately, the idea of a smooth journey was thwarted fairly quickly with the news at Crewe that the 06:33 train to Manchester airport was canceled. Bad start. Read more »