Industry News
Biosimilars Forum Launches Education Initiative
The Biosimilars Forum launched Partnership for Biosimilars Education and Access, an education initiative raising awareness of biosimilars in the US.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb Enter Into Agreement with Portola
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb enter into agreement with Portola to develop and commercialize andexanet alfa in Japan.
FDA’s Quality Office Promotes Modernization
CDER’s Office of Pharmaceutical Quality plans on promoting modernization as a way to ensure drug quality.
Excessive Synaptic Pruning Identified as Root of Disease in Schizophrenia
The body’s over-editing of synaptic interactions is recognized as a probable cause of schizophrenia in a landmark study.
Novartis Announces Plans to Accelerate Growth of Vision Care Division
Novartis announced the companies plan to boost growth at Alcon, the company’s vision care division.
FDA Accepts Amgen’s ABP 501 Biosimilar for Review
Amgen announces FDA will review the company’s BLA for ABP 501.
FDA Seeking Feedback on Generic Drug Recommendations
The agency is seeking industry input on product-specific recommendations to facilitate generic drug development.
NICE Announces Plans to Back Remicade Biosimilars
NICE announces plans to back biosimilar alternatives to Merck’s Remicade.
SCIEX and the Bioprocessing Technology Institute Announce Partnership
The partnership will focus on the identification and analysis of host-cell proteins in biologics.
Novartis Announces Cloud Technology in Development for Inhalers
Novartis announced on Jan. 5, 2016 that the company is collaborating with Qualcomm to develop cloud-based technology for COPD patients.
GS1 US Expands Advisory Services Program to Address Industry Challenges
GS1 US announces the expansion of its advisory services program to address industry needs.
FDA’s CDER Previews 2016 Guidance Agenda
FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research publishes a list of upcoming new and revised guidance documents for 2016.
Hong Kong Drug Manufacturer Receives Warning Letter
FDA issued a warning letter to Chan Yat Hing Medicine Factory for CGMP violations.
Pharmaceutical Companies Sign Declaration to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
More than 80 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, generics, and diagnostics companies draft and sign the Declaration on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.
Pharmapack Europe Identifies Key Pharma Trends for 2016
Serialization, combination products, emerging markets, outsourcing, TVF, and adherence are identified as the key themes in drug delivery and packaging for 2016.
European Pharmacopoeia Revises Raman Spectroscopy Chapter
The European Pharmacopoeia rewrites in its general chapter on Raman spectroscopy.
FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for BioMarin’s dirsapersen
BioMarin Pharmaceutical announced FDA issued a complete response letter to dirsapersen, disclosing that the NDA was not approved.
Patheon Appoints New President of Pharmaceutical Development Services
Patheon announced the appointment of Gilles Cottier as president of the company’s pharmaceutical development services.
AstraZeneca and Moderna Therapeutics Announce Collaboration
AstraZeneca and Moderna Therapeutics set to collaborate on mRNA therapeutic candidates for the treatment of cancer.
District Court Enters Consent Decree Against Downing Labs
A US district judge entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on behalf of FDA, between the United States and pharmaceutical company, Downing Labs.
Expedited Approval Program Drives 2015 Drug Approvals
FDA approved 45 novel new drugs in 2015, led by therapies for orphan diseases and and expedited approvals.
FDA Issues Low Number of Violation Letters in 2015
The Office of Prescription Drug Promotion issues all-time low number of violation letters in 2015.
Hospira Recalls One Lot of Magnesium Sulfate
The company has voluntarily recalled one lot of magnesium sulfate in water for injection because of incorrect labeling.
FDA Issues Warning Letter to Indian Manufacturing Company
FDA issues a Warning Letter to Cadila Healthcare Limited for cGMP violations.
Merck KGaA, Pfizer, and Syndax Collaborate on Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Merck KGaA, Pfizer, and Syndax enter into exclusive agreement to evaluate the use of avelumab and entinostat for ovarian cancer patients.
Valeant Announces CEO on Medical Leave
Valeant announced its CEO, J. Michael Pearson, will be on medical leave of absence after being hospitalized for pneumonia.
Mass Spec Lab Announces Official Launch
Mass Spec Lab, a privately owned analytical company, announced its official launch on Dec. 28, 2015 in Southern California.
Remembering Pedro Hernandez Abad’s Rich Legacy
This month marks the death of a pioneering, yet pragmatic, thinker whose work brought PAT and QbD to more pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies around the world.
NIH Releases Strategic Five-Year Plan
The National Institutes of Health released a strategic plan covering the fiscal years 2016-2020.
FDA Releases IND Safety Assessment Guidance
The agency has published draft guidance on safety assessment for investigational new drug application safety reporting.