March 2016 Issue of The Medicine Maker

Collaboration can be the key to success, but does open innovation truly unlock the right doors?

Medicine packaging leaders forming the “Matrix Alliance” will bring improved container and closure systems to market.

Scientists use computationally designed imitation antibodies to fight the flu – and production costs.

A new study estimates that 11.6 billion euros’ worth of goods are being stolen across Europe each year – but what about pharmaceuticals?

Despite controversies, Robert Califf will finally take the reins at the FDA.

Could light-activated quantum dots put the “antibiotic apocalypse” on hold?

Glass is the most important primary packaging material for injectable drugs, but the demanding requirements of today’s sensitive biologicals mean that we must consider newer, safer alternatives.

The drug delivery field may be about to see dramatic shifts in accepted modalities. Nanoparticles, targeted delivery systems and a move from oral to transdermal routes will all play a part in tomorrow’s drug delivery landscape.

“Batch is best,” according to many in the industry, but when cost reductions and greater efficiencies are a priority, continuous processing is becoming increasingly compelling.

Pharma companies are notoriously protective of their intellectual property, so it’s a big deal to open up and give knowledge away for free. Nevertheless, it is the path that LEO Pharma took with its Open Innovation platform – and they’ve learnt that, if you give a little away, you can expect much in return.

A new technique allows scientists to see conformational changes caused by ligand binding in real time, opening up new screening options for drug discovery.

Can sophisticated (spectroscopic) sensors streamline bioprocess monitoring to better meet FDA standards?

Can sophisticated (spectroscopic) sensors streamline bioprocess monitoring to better meet FDA standards?

A choice of fumigants are available for fumigating microbiological safety cabinets and high-level containment rooms. One substance that is still used in the industry is formaldehyde, but given that formaldehyde is toxic, carcinogenic and corrosive, you’d be better looking for alternatives.

Statisticians are vital in the pharma industry, but rarely do they receive public fanfare for their work. The Award for Statistical Excellence in the Pharmaceutical Industry aims to change the status quo.

Sitting Down With... Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, UK.

Industry is beginning to appreciate how formulation microstructure makes a fundamental contribution to dermal drug delivery – and this new understanding emphasizes the key role of excipients.

Pharma suppliers are teaming up to take ready-to-use technology to the next level.

Great technology takes complex challenges and provides simple, robust solutions.

NIBRT Principle Investigator Jonathan Bones discusses the challenges involved in biotherapeutic protein characterization.

Innovation that takes technology design to the physical limits

The Morphologi G3-ID can be used to generate component-specific particle size and shape data required to aid the reverse engineering of solid oral dose formulations. Here, we provide an example case study for a powder formulation.

The work presented here illustrates how Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used in the early stages of protein characterization to rapidly provide critical data about protein stability that can be used as a guide to support and accelerate liquid formulation.

Taylor Dispersion Analysis is an ultra-low volume, microcapillary flow technique for sizing and stability of biomolecules in complex solutions, and offers advantages for orthogonal and complementary biophysical characterization measurements.