Industry News

GenPak Solutions is cited by FDA for cGMP violations at its Hilliard, Ohio facility.

On July 19, 2016, Pfizer announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified its four-dose, multi-dose vial (MDV) presentation of Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13 – valent, adsorbed]). According to the company, WHO prequalification allows for the global use of Prevenar 13 MDV by the United Nations agencies and countries worldwide that require WHO prequalification.The MDV presentation of Prevenar 13 offers benefits to developing countries, including a 75% reduction in:

FDA issued a warning letter to the Worthing, UK facility for cross contamination and microbial contamination cGMP violations.

The agency says the increasing requests for orphan drug designation has resulted in a change in FDA’s review goals.

This new method uses inter-alpha inhibitors to promote attachment and long-term growth in stem cells.

Cancer cell lines could provide viable pathways to determining how tumors respond to specific anti-cancer drugs.

UPS will expand its clinical trial logistics capabilities to include drug and vaccine development.

The company will collaborate with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research to co-develop a Zika vaccine candidate.

Biosimilar makers may have to wait an additional 180 days after receiving FDA approval before they can bring their drugs to market, according to a United States Federal Circuit Court ruling. On July 5, 2016 the court ruled in Amgen v. Apotex that after a biosimilar receives FDA approval, companies must notify reference product sponsors and wait 180 days before bringing the drug to market, a requirement in the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act.

FDA cited Guangzhou Haishi Biological Technology Co., Ltd. with CGMP violations.

The agency says, for now, it’s business as usual.The European Medicines Agency (EMA) says the future location of the agency will be determined by common agreement between representatives of the Member States, according to a July 6, 2016 statement. Until then, EMA says it will be conducting business as usual, and the outcome of the June 23 referendum will not affect the agency’s operations.

International-domestic pharma partnerships will drive next wave of growth in China, according to new CPhI report on China.

A study by MilliporeSigma and the Economist Intelligence Unit reviews growth drivers and approaches to mitigate risk.

Califf appointed Richard Pazdur as acting director of the Oncology Center of Excellence under the Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

ICH detailed the highlights of the council’s June 2016 meeting.

The cell lines have the potential to provide new medical applications for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy.

The agency recommends Zalmoxis, a new cell-based therapy to support stem cell transplantation in patients with high-risk blood cancer.

The agency is following up on a February 2016 inspection of the facility that found GMP violations.

In the wake of Britain’s decision to exit the EU, pharma companies face uncertainty.

The agency publishes draft reference material for implementation of FDA’s quality metrics guidance.

China’s State Council issued a notice authorizing a trial plan for a new drug marketing authorization holder system for 10 provinces.

Studying broadly neutralizing antibodies in infants may lead to new pathways in HIV vaccine development.

The Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group approved monographs and plans to harmonize several others.

The agency cited the company for sterile manufacturing violations.

The annual CPhI Pharma Awards honor companies and individuals driving the pharmaceutical industry forward through innovation, new approaches, technologies, and strategies.

The two agencies have set up a working group on involving patients in drug development.

Pressure is mounting to reduce costs and spending on prescription drugs.

A study published in BMJ indicates that rheumatic patients with anti-infliximab antibodies may have a similar cross reaction to infliximab biosimilars.