Industry Suppliers Honored for Innovative Advances

The 2015 CPhI Worldwide exposition was held in Madrid, Spain in mid-October and showcased a variety of new products and services in the pharmaceutical industry. During the event, technologies, systems, and services that present new, innovative options for drug manufacturing, formulation and process development, APIs and excipients, packaging, supply chain and logistics, leadership, and outsourcing were recognized with CPhI Pharma Awards.

This year, the judging panel reviewed a record number of applications, considering the technologies, features, and innovations provided by the entries, as well as the impact the technology or service has on the pharmaceutical development and manufacturing industry. The 16 finalists gave presentations on the first day of CPhI Worldwide, and the judges, after extensive deliberations, announced the winners at a ceremony held Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Innovation can be defined many ways. Steve Jobs, Apple founder, has been quoted as saying “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Thomas Edison, one of the most prolific inventors, is quoted as saying genius is “one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” The finalists for the 2015 Awards demonstrated the desire to lead, the inspiration to improve a product or process, and the willingness to invest hard work to achieve their goals.

The pharmaceutical industry faces many scientific, technical, regulatory, and business challenges. The companies that provide materials, equipment, instruments, and services to the pharmaceutical industry play a vital role in overcoming these hurdles. The award finalists and winners should be commended for their efforts to accelerate the development and manufacture of safe, effective, cost-efficient therapeutics.

And the winners are:

• Best Innovation in Supply Chain & Logistic Management: TraceLink

• Best Innovation in Manufacturing Technology-in cooperation with Pharmaceutical Technology: Harro Hoefliger

• Best Innovation in Packaging: Sulzer

• Best Innovation in APIs and Excipients: OMYA International AG

• Excellence in Partnering & Outsourcing-in cooperation with Pharmaceutical Outsourcing:  Centroflora CMS

• Best Innovation in Process and Formulation Development: Catalent

• CEO of the Year-in cooperation with Pharma Boardroom: Vivek Sharma, CEO-Pharma Solutions, Piramal Enterprises Ltd

In Memorium
Scott V.W. Sutton, a consultant, frequent author and speaker on microbiology topics, and Pharmaceutical Technology Editorial Advisory Board member, died suddenly on Oct. 19, 2015. He was owner of The Microbiology Network, a consultancy for contamination control, environmental monitoring, microbiological control, and lab operations issues.

During his 30-year career, Sutton worked at Vectech Pharmaceutical Consultants, Alcon Laboratories, and Bausch & Lomb. He was the recipient of the 2008 PDA Distinguished Author Award and the 2012 IVT Journal of GXP Compliance Paper-of-the-Year Award.

Sutton was active in industry organizations, serving on the 2010-2015 revision cycle on the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) Committee of Experts, Microbiology and Sterility Assurance and as a member of the USP project team 18 (PAT); Working Group 6 (Rapid Microbiology Methods). He also was active in the Parenteral Drug Association. In addition, Sutton was a frequent author on a range of topics including compounding pharmacies, contamination control, environmental monitoring, objectionable organisms, QC microbiology testing, QC microbiology lab operations, and USP.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Scott Sutton Memorial Fund, PO Box 193, North Chili, NY 14514.

Article Details

Pharmaceutical Technology
Vol. 39, No. 11
Page: 12

Citation: 
When referring to this article, please cite it as R. Peters, “Industry Suppliers Honored for Innovative Advances,” Pharmaceutical Technology 39 (11) 2015.