Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

Researchers from the University of California San Diego, UC  Santa Barbara, and MIT have developed nanometer-sized hybrid structures carrying anti-cancer drugs and quantum dot imaging agents.

MannKind and Pfizer (New York) agreed that the former company will help patients who need inhaled insulin switch from Pfizer's "Exubera" medicine to MannKind's "Technosphere Insulin" drug.

The US Food and Drug Administration launched a new website to educate the general public about direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription medications.

FDA has issued a Final Rule titled "Amendments to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations for Finished Pharmaceuticals."

Also, Human Genome Sciences enters pact with Hospira, Zosano Pharma names Gail Schulze chair and CEO, more...

USP announced an interim revision to its monograph for levothyroxine sodium tablets, which will become official in USP 32-NF 27.

Companies launched 25 new active substances in 2007, a decline of 19% from the previous year, according to a new report from Parexel International.

Also, Novartis stops development on "Aurograb," Zealand Pharma appoints David H. Solomon as CEO, more...

Brief pharmaceutical news items for September 2008.

The Healthcare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) released a new research study showing that New Jersey's life-science industry experienced stable growth in 2007.

Also, Shire recalls "Daytrana" patch, Chromatide forms Scientific Advisory Board, more...

FDA has finalized a regulation regarding changes to an approved new drug application (NDA), biologics license application (BLA), or medical device premarket approval applicatin (PMA).

The US Pharmacopeial Conventional added to its international sites with the official opening of its facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Also, Tekmira will collaborate with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Helicos Biosciences appoints Steve Lombardi CEO, more...

The concept of the the triple bottom line incorporates a company's financial, social, and environmental performance. As a result, an increasing number of companies are investigating how sustainable, green technologies and practices can help them stay competitive in a challenging regulated market.

Decontaminating pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities is essential for producing safe and pure drugs. The most commonly used decontaminant in the industry has been sublimated formaldehyde.

PharmTech's monthly newsletter, Equipment & Processing Report, reviews the Editor's Picks for the August 2008 edition from OYSTAR Manesty and Hawk.

The US Food and Drug Administration has distributed a draft of Guidance for Industry: Residual Solvents in Drug Products Marketed in the United States for public comment.

The US Food and Drug Administration seeks contractors that will identify, describe, and evaluate potential data sources or data environments that could participate in the agency's Sentinel Initiative.

Also, Ortho Biotech recalls one lot of "Procrit" due to cracked vials, more appointments at Actavis, more...

Also, Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies opens new headquarters in San Francisco, Sigurdur Oli Olafsson named CEO of Actavis Group, more...

Also, Cobra Biomanufacturing to extend collaboration and form joint venture with ViroMed, Epix Pharmaceuticals CEO resigns, more...

Pharmaceutical companies developing new drug candidates for Hepatitis C virus infection now can test their compounds with a novel culture system that mimics the biology of HCV infection in humans.

Senator Sherrod Brown sent a letter to Richard T. Clark, president and chief executive officer of Merck (Whitehouse Station, NJ), to ask for information about the company's reliance on global outsourcing for the manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products.

The US Food and Drug Administration seeks applicants for its new Commissioner’s Fellowship Program for scientists, engineers, and health professionals. The two-year program will help prepare the agency to replace a large number of FDA staff who are preparing to retire as well as meet future goals.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Barr Pharmaceuticals (Montvale, NJ) signed a definitive agreement under which Teva will acquire Barr, the fourth-largest generic-drug company in the world. Teva will buy each share of Barr common stock for $39.90 in cash and 0.6272 Teva shares. Based on the closing price of Teva?s shares on July 16, 2008, the price per share of Barr common stock is $66.50, and the total value of the acquisition is $7.46 billion. Teva will assume Barr?s outstanding net debt of approximately $1.5 billion.

Also, Niro changes its name to GEA Process Engineering; Frances K. Heller joins Exelixis as executive vice-president of business development, more...

Pfizer (New York, NY) announced plans to restructure staff at its Kalamazoo, Michigan, facility, leading to an estimated job cut of 275 by the end of the year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) agreed to reduce the output of ozone-depleting refrigerants at several industrial facilities around the country to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act. The company's modifications will cost approximately $3.65 million.

Also, Roche to end HIV/AIDS research program, WuXi PharmaTech makes appointments, more...