BioBusiness

Conversion of facilities from one use to another is a positive trend that keeps good paying jobs in local communities.

Outsourcing is becoming increasingly widespread and essential in the biopharmaceutical industry. Its imprint on biotech world business and on the development of biopharmaceutical drugs is becoming ever more pronounced. It is estimated that almost one-half of biopharmaceutical companies contract out at least part of the production of their products. On the other hand, those companies that do not outsource production often contract out some of their development activities.

Biotechnology and life sciences companies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are multinational companies with vast resources and others are small companies working with a few new compounds. Regardless of size or market position, these companies should all have one common question of those that handle their insurance: Will their current insurance program protect their assets and investments in the event of a significant loss? Understanding the nature of risks, acquiring suitable insurance, and comprehending policy issues when claims arise are essential to protecting assets and obtaining reimbursement when losses occur.

With biotech valuations at the lowest point in years, the resulting investment opportunities are multiplying - seemingly by the hour.

Out-licensing has become a crucial part of most biotech companies' business strategies.

Pharmaceutical companies today are faced with increased costs for drug discovery and development and aggressive competition from generic drug companies. As research costs skyrocket, generic drug companies sit poised and ready to compete as soon as a patent expires.

Revisiting simple, robust, and controllable technology is the only way to overcome these challenges.

A tepid currency picture may cause biopharm companies to put the breaks on initiatives in places like information systems, research and development, and even hiring.

Speed of response, small-scale manufacturing and process flexibility will become increasingly important.

I wrote in the December 2005 issue of Streetalk that no matter who won the election between George Bush and John Kerry, the result would have been good news to the biopharm industry - if for different reasons. I said that with President Bush back in office for a second term, industry red tape would be diminished and the life sciences sector would shift into higher gear.

In the increasingly competitive world of drug discovery and development, the role of branding is more important than ever. With all the various sectors - big pharma, generics, specialty pharma, and biotechnology -vying for limited dollars, branding must begin early in the development process and, ultimately, play an integral role not only in taking a product to market, but also in sustaining that product against competition, perceived and real.

For years, the pharmaceutical sector has provided a safe haven for investors. I'm not so sure that will be the case in 2005.

The holidays are upon us. It's the time of year that begins with gala parties in December and ends when you finally realize what you spent, usually around April 15 of the next year. Too Scrooge-like? Hope not. I just partook of some bad eggnog.

A German biotechnology company based in Martinsried, GPC Biotech, raised €78.6 million in June through public and private placements in Germany, the US, and other countries. "Our recent financing was one of the most successful biotech offerings in terms of proceeds for the year to date, on either side of the Atlantic," said Dr. Bernd Seizinger, CEO of GPC. It is now one of the few German biotechnology companies listed on NASDAQ.

Over the last five years, alternative investments have been the fastest growing investment strategy in institutional investment markets.

We've gone beyond the days when corporate America's idea of a healthy outing was a company softball game complete with beer and hot dogs.

Though still relatively modest by international standards, the Netherlands' biotechnology industry has made impressive gains in recent years and now provides investors with a compelling alternative to more established European "heavyweights" such as Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Identifying issues in the factory that traditionally arise in the field minimized onsite equipment rework and subsequent qualification work.

If the system is not 21 CFR Part 11-capable or the network configuration is not appropriate, cost is immaterial.

Over the last 20 years, France has become a major hub of the European biotechnology sector. The renewed French interest emerged from the perception that progress in biotechnology is good not only for the country's economy but also for the well being of people worldwide and both the private and the public sectors.

The concept is not new. Companies comparing performance and practices and then mutually identifying the best solutions to common operational challenges has been a part of business for years. What is different is that this is happening in the biopharmaceutical industry, which, until recently, has been primarily focused on filling the pipeline and on improving the manufacturing processes themselves. This focus was not misguided- the biggest challenge facing biopharmaceutical companies until the last five years was convincing everyone that they were legitimate players that can develop and supply therapeutics consistently, and not isolated success stories.

The industry entered 2004 with a strong balance sheet - about $16 billion in cash and a wide-open pipeline full of new drugs and products.

A water distribution plan is at the heart of an overall energy and water conservation program.

Like any other financial venture, investing in PMPs requires both the patience of a saint and the ability to absorb some bad news and still hang in there.

Although sounding like a singular term, a water purification system actually consists of several key components.