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All news articles > January 2009

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29-Jan-2009

Covance shares lift after Q4 results

The world’s largest contract research organisation, Covance, has maintained its earnings guidance for 2009 despite a slowdown in revenue growth and lower profits in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Quintiles plans Phase I unit in India

Contract research organization (CRO) Quintiles has announced a deal with India’s Apollo Hospitals Group that will see the two firms collaborate in opening a Phase I clinical trials unit.

APC expands peptide production capacity

American Peptide Company (APC) is expanding its manufacturing facility in Vista, California to meet growing demand for high quality peptides.

News in brief

Sepracor cuts contract sales team by 410

Sepracor is reducing its contract sales force by 410 and its in-house team by 350 as part of restructuring efforts that will eliminate 20 per cent of its workforce.

28-Jan-2009

Parexel on the up as 2Q figures impress

Contract research company Parexel saw its share rocket more than 30 per cent yesterday after it reported a hike in its second quarter revenues and despite a fallback in net profits.

Medidata plans $86m IPO

eClinical specialist Medidata Solutions has filed to list on the US Nasdaq exchange via an initial public offering that it hopes will raise $86m.

Icon updates MIRA in response to FDA guidance

Icon has brought its operations in line with new FDA guidelines by implementing an electronic system to accelerate the adjudication of cardiovascular events in diabetes trials.

News in brief

NextPharma doubles blister capacity

NextPharma Technologies has doubled the Alu Alu blister packaging capacity at its facility for Cephalosporins in Göttingen, Germany.

27-Jan-2009

Ash Stevens certified green and safe

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturer Ash Stevens Inc has been accredited under an industry-backed scheme that certifies companies whose processes are environmentally sound and safe.

Who’s making what? Contracts in brief

OutsourcingPharna.com presents a round-up of recent contracts awarded to contract development and manufacturing services companies – and finds a lot of activity in the biomanufacturing sector.

First green light for stem cell clinical trials

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the go-ahead to the first clinical trials of a stem cell-based therapy late last week, in a major boost to the development of the technology.

NIH funds informatics projects for small trials

The US National Institutes of Health has awarded a series of new contracts to try to stimulate greater use of sophisticated data management software in small to medium-sized clinical trials.

26-Jan-2009

NAF & VSM look to clean up in pre-washed vial market

We spoke with Martijn Eijkenboom, president of NAF & VSM, to discuss his companies’ entry into the market for pre-washed vials, ampoules and test tubes.

Rem gets into bed with PsyPharma for sleep studies

Two US companies specialising in sleep disorders - Rem Medical and PsyPharma Global, have pooled their resources to offer research services to the pharmaceutical industry.

Neuland sets out its stall in peptides

Indian company Neuland Laboratories has launched a push into the peptide manufacturing sector to expand the range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) it can offer to customers.

GAO critical of FDA’s clinical trial oversight

The GAO has criticised the FDA’s efforts in overseeing clinical trials, with the agency accused of failing to implement recommendations that were made as far back as 2001.

22-Jan-2009

CEE could gain from Asia’s reputation for fakes

A new report suggests the large numbers of fake drugs produced in China could drive CMO customers away and see Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) emerge as a contract manufacturing hotbed.

Clinical research meets Facebook

A social networking tool specifically designed for patients involved in clinical trials has been set up by Acurian, a company specialising in patient recruitment services.

Consolidation in CRO sector as Premier buys Pivotal

UK-headquartered Premier Research Group has signed a deal to buy the assets of fellow contract research organisation (CRO) Pivotal Research Centers, a specialist in Phase I to IIa trials, for $4.75m.

21-Jan-2009

FDA outlines ‘best practice’ for importers

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance on the measures pharmaceutical and other manufacturers should take to make sure imported FDA-regulated products are in line with federal statutes and regulations.

Cogenics partners to bring genomic services to China

Cogenics has entered into a partnership with SinoGenoMax to bring its clinical genotyping services to the expanding Chinese market.

Lax and corrupt – Indian Dr assesses clinical trials

An Indian doctor has slammed the nation’s clinical trials, claiming they use the vulnerable, the system is corrupt and that the country lacks high quality scientists.

20-Jan-2009

Lonza adds $26m extra capacity at cell therapy plant

Lonza is spending $26m to expand capacity at its facility in Walkersville, Maryland, US as regulatory progress made with Osiris’ Prochymal looks set to kick start the era of cell therapies.

Covance’s Arizona toxicity plant on track

Contract research firm Covance has been given the green light for its $100m (€77m) animal testing and drug candidate development facility in Chandler, Arizona, US.

PPD ends 2008 on a high

Pharmaceutical Product Development of the US is expecting to post a 12 per cent hike in revenues in 2009, helped by the recent opening of offices in Ireland and Singapore and new deals with Merck & Co.

19-Jan-2009

Jubilant inks in silico deal with BioLeap

Indian contract research firm Jubilant Biosys has teamed up with US company BioLeap to offer drug early-stage discovery services which incorporate computational drug design.

Kendle targets Asia with further Indian expansion

Kendle is continuing its efforts to increase its presence outside the US with the establishment of a second office in Ahmedabad in Western India.

Pharma outsourcing: people on the move

Outsourcing-Pharma.com presents its periodic round-up of executive appointments in the contract services sector.

Senator calls for Mass. clinical trial transparency

Senator Richard Moore has criticised transparency laws in Massachusetts, US, which he claims allow pharmaceutical companies to hide payments made to physicians conducting clinical trials.

Battelle upgrades R&D with $200m investment

Non-profit R&D organisation Battelle is investing $200m in its facilities in Ohio, which will see the company’s contract research capabilities upgraded.

15-Jan-2009

Trial complexity a headache for IRBs

The rise in international, multi-centre clinical trials has complicated reporting pathways and led to institutional review boards (IRBs) being overloaded with adverse events, according to FDA guidance.

Pressured Cel-Sci may turn to contract manufacturing

US biotechnology company Cel-Sci is hoping to offer contract manufacturing to pharmaceutical partners from its new facility in Baltimore, as it tries to raise money to support the clinical development of its cancer immunotherapy Multikine.

FDA launches global supply chain pilot scheme

In the latest part of its “beyond our borders” scheme, the US FDA is asking drugmakers to volunteer supply chain information for drugs and APIs sourced outside the USA.

Ash Stevens invests in parallel synthesis

US contract manufacturer Ash Stevens Inc has upgraded its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility in Riverview, Michigan, with new equipment for parallel synthesis and calorimetry.

inVentive consolidates New Jersey HQ

Drug contract services specialist inVentive Health has selected a new office in Somerset, New Jersey, US which will house its patient outcomes, clinical, health and commercial division.

14-Jan-2009

Trial patients OD after clinic failed to weigh them

A FDA warning letter has been sent to a clinical investigator who administered incorrect doses of investigational drugs having taken the patient’s weight and height from their driving license.

CRO partners to crack South America

Switzerland-based CRO PFC Pharma Focus is entering the South American market through a partnership with Argentinean company Blanchard y Asociados.

Teamwork future of GMP inspections, says EMEA

Despite criticism in certain quarters, joint GMP inspections represent the best use of resources in an increasingly globalised market, according to the EMEA.

13-Jan-2009

Sanofi licenses contract management software

Sanofi-Aventis Canada has licensed I-many’s suite of software for managing pharmaceutical contracts, with the IT company also performing installation, maintenance and support.

HHS slams FDA for lack of financial oversight during trials

A US HHS report on FDA oversight during trials has found that, with current procedures, the agency cannot tell whether drugmakers are disclosing complete financial information from all investigators who worked on a particular study.

Patheon seeks help to analyse takeover bid

There is still no formal offer on the table for Canadian contract manufacturer Patheon from JLL Patheon Holdings, an investment group which currently owns around 29 per cent of the firm.

Kendle follows peers with cut in ‘08 outlook

Cincinatti, US-based clinical research organization Kendle has cut back its revenue expectations for 2008, primarily as a result of the strengthening of the US dollar, in common with some of its peers in the CRO sector.

12-Jan-2009

Interview with IPEC China chairman Nevin Cheng

Since its inauguration last year, IPEC China has been working to improve the quality of excipient manufacturing in the country. in-PharmaTechnologist spoke with organisation president Nevin Cheng about the steps the body has taken so far and what it will be doing in 2009, including its plans for a new SFDA approved Drug Master File (DMF) scheme.

Satyam’s $1bn fraud dubbed “India’s Enron”

A $1bn fraud scandal has rocked Indian IT outsourcing company Satyam, which provides services to leading pharmaceutical companies, and resulted in three of its executives spending the weekend in jail.

Icon cuts back sales forecasts for ‘08

Ireland’s Icon plc has scaled back its revenue forecasts for 2008 but says it expects 2009 profits to come in higher than previous guidance.

Akrimax wins first manufacturing contract

Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, which entered the contract manufacturing sector via the purchase of a Wyeth facility in New York, US, a year ago - has signed its first third-party agreement.

News in brief

Is Quintiles about to move UK base?

Clinical research firm Quintiles may be thinking about shifting its UK-base according to conflicting reports in the UK’s press last week.

08-Jan-2009

FDA enters Costa Rica on global safety mission

The FDA has established its first permanent presence in Latin America by opening an office in Costa Rica as part of “Beyond Our Borders Initiative”, which has also seen the agency set up three sites in China.

India a ‘hot’ destination for clinical trials

The proportion of global clinical trials conducted In India is expected to more than double between 2007 and 2012, according to market research firm RNCOS.

Bio-Imaging Tech sells CapMed to focus on clinical

Contract research organisation Bio-Imaging Technologies has decided to sell off its CapMed subsidiary in order to focus its efforts on its core business, providing imaging series to clinical investigators.

Akron selects Austin to expand client base

Drug raw materials maker Akron Biotechnology has selected Austin Chemical Company to help expand its client-base in the global biotech, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic industries.

07-Jan-2009

Interactive timeline of the heparin scandal

We present our exclusive interactive timeline of the heparin scandal that allows you to get a unique overview of the chronology of events, discover incidents you missed and read in-depth articles on each twist and turn.

Merck inks another strategic deal as UPS takes facilities

Merck & Co’s thirst for outsourcing continues, with United Parcel Services (UPS) taking over two of its distribution centres and providing services from for the pharma company from the sites.

LabCorp cuts earnings forecasts for ‘09

Clinical laboratory services company LabCorp saw its shares slide yesterday after cutting back its sales and earnings targets for 2009 in light of the economic downturn.

BioReliance to make bulk adenovirus for Duramed

US-based BioReliance has won the contract to supply bulk adenovirus for several live oral vaccines being produced by Barr Pharmaceutical’s Duramed subsidiary.

06-Jan-2009

ICTS unit will help pharma’s message reach doctors

US contract research organisation Integrated Clinical Trial Services has set up a team that will help pharmaceutical companies communicate information on their products to the medical community.

Bright times for Puerto Rico as another delivery giant sets up

DHL Global Forwarding has opened a Life Science Competency Center in Carolina, Puerto Rico, which will offer shipping services tailored to the needs of the island’s biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

WuXi adopts H-Cube for drug discovery

WuXi AppTec is to use ThalesNano’s H-Cube for laboratory-based hydrogenation, which the CRO believes offers advantages in drug discovery over traditional batch processes.

PPD buys Merck vaccine facility

Contract research organization Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc (PPD) has moved further into providing central laboratory services with the purchase of a 130,000 sq. ft. laboratory from Merck & Co.

05-Jan-2009

Pharma outsourcing: people on the move

Outsourcing-Pharma.com presents its periodic round-up of executive appointments in the contract services sector.

Recipharm firms up French position

Recipharm hopes that its new tablet and capsule manufacturing facility in Fontaine-Les-Dijon, France, which significantly expands its dry powder production capacity, will help it broaden its European client base.

Perceptive licenses EQ-5D for use in ePRO

Perceptive Informatics has gained the right to use EQ-5D, which will allow the company to offer clinical study sponsors the option to collect health-related quality of life outcomes using a telephone.

Consortium formed to improve QbD software

Blue Reference has formed a Quality by Design Product Development Consortium (QbD PDC) to provide a forum for the improvement of its process analytics software.

CMOs fall foul of FDA regulations

Two contract manufacturing organisations PrimaPharm have been cited by the US Food and Drug Administration for not adhering to Good Manufacturing Practice standards.

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