Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

When seeking to increase productivity, companies must consider worker–machine and worker–materials interactions. These factors are easy to overlook, but they affect workers' performance and health and a company's bottom line.

Packaging processes, like other pharmaceutical operations, benefit from the speed and repeatability that automation brings. Robotics in particular provide flexibility and accuracy. In some packaging applications such as carton loading, robotics also perform more efficiently than dedicated machines.

This year, INTERPHEX will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 26?28. Equipment and Processing Report asked RJ Palermo, industry vice-president of Reed Life Sciences and INTERPHEX, to share his thoughts and expectations about the upcoming event.

The US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission (ChP) designed to strengthen the quality of medicine and foods in the United States and China.

Concerns over contaminated heparin product worsened as US officials announced dialysis patients in Germany have fallen ill after using a different brand of the blood thinner than was already being recalled.

Also, PDL BioPharma will no longer pursue sale of the company, executives resign from Topigen Pharmaceuticals, more...

The 59th Pittsburgh Conference gathered more than 1000 exhibitors on its showroom floor this week.

Also, Millipore plans to open Singapore facility, Michael J. Simms joins Alexza Pharmaceuticals, more...

A news roundup for March 2008.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for March 2008.

Also, Genmab will acquire PDL Pharma's Minnesota manufacturing facility, DSM Pharmaceuticals appointed Hans Engels president and business unit director, more...

Merck Capital Ventures, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., has invested $1.5 million to expand its service laboratory. The transaction with NanoImaging Services will add high-resolution, three-dimensional transmission electron microscope (TEM) capability, which allows biopharmaceutical researchers to see complex macromolecular structures they create with resolution as high as one nanometer.

APP Pharmaceuticals will boost manufacturing of therapeutic multidose vials of heparin.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued generics manufacturer Vintage Pharmaceuticals a warning letter stemming from July through August 2007 that found observations pertaining to microbial contamination and failures in testing and documentation procedures.

Last month, the European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry became operational. The organization hosted the 1st European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry Symposium to coincide with the launch of the program.

Also, Biocon will acquire 70% of AxiCorp, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals promoted Richard W. Pascoe to the new position of COO, more...

To ensure an effective treatment, a patient often must take equal doses of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at regular intervals.

Featured products from this issue of Equipment & Processing Report

Scientists at The Wistar Institute are taking further steps into understanding a gene regulator that can lead them closer to developing new cancer therapies.

Chesapeake to relocate and expand, AVI BioPharma appoints CEO, More...

Nektar Therapeutics eliminated approximately 150 positions as part of a restructuring program designed to help the company complete its transition from a drug-delivery service provider to a drug-development organization.

Amira and GSK Form Agreement, Xenome Appoints Ian Nisbet CEO, More...

Amgen will partner with R&D firm Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. toward the development and commercialization of 13 of Amgen?s molecules, with one included as an option.

The US Food and Drug Administration posted on its website a Jan. 24 Warning Letter to Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Brief pharmaceutical news items for February 2008.

A news roundup for February 2008.

Members of Congress have strongly urged the US Food and Drug Administration to reconsider its proposed rule to amend regulations permitting companies to promptly update their drug and device labels with new safety information.

Codexis Opens Budapest Lab, Allos Names Bruce K. Bennett VP of Manufacturing, More...

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is investigating Schering-Plough (Kenilworth, NJ) and Merck & Co. (Whitehouse Station, NJ), according to a Reuters report.

Actavis Acquires Site From Pfizer, Cardiokine Names President and CEO, More...