Drug Development

Articles

US marshals seized 11 lots of heparin from Celsus Laboratories (Cincinnati, OH) at the request of the US Food and Drug Administration.

FDA Seizes Tainted Heparin from Celsus

Also, Patheon opens new European headquarters, Cynvec appoints Frank D. Stonebanks president and CEO, more...

Company and People Notes: Amylin, A.P. Pharma, Avigen, and CombinatoRx Announce Staff Reductions; Maccine Appoints Leigh Berryman CEO; More...

Patricia Van Arnum was executive editor of Pharmaceutical Technology.

The European Medicines Agency's (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended that the status of GlaxoSmithKline's anti-obesity drug "Alli" (orlistat) be switched from prescription-only to nonprescription.

EMEA Recommends Rx-to-OTC Switch for Orlistat

Also, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH to acquire Wave Biotech; AstraZeneca's John Patterson to retire; more...

Company and People Notes: GSK to Acquire Genelabs Technologies; Sigma-Aldrich Makes Personnel Announcements; More...

Near-stagnant growth for the US pharmaceutical market, the rising influence of emerging markets and specialty products, and increased penetration of generic drugs are major issues for the global pharmaceutical market.

Global Pharmaceutical Growth Tempered by Lagging US Market

Uncertain economic times crimp the financing flow into the US biotechnology industry.

US Biotech Financing Expected to Reach Decade Low in 2008

Optimizing the solid form of a drug reaps scientific and technical awards.

Exploring Solid-State Chemistry

Bruno C. Hancock is a scientist in the solids development group at Pfizer.

Thomas A. Vendola is a scientist in solids development, and Bruno C. Hancock is a research fellow in material sciences at Pfizer, Eastern Point Rd., Groton, CT 06340, tel. 860.441.4430, fax 860.441.3972.

The authors evaluate the effect of various mill types on particle-size distribution, flowability, tabletability, and compactibility.

The Effect of Mill Type on Two Dry-Granulated Placebo Formulations

S. Gebert is a pharmaceutical engineer, BASF

K. Meyer-Böhm is a research and development (R&D) manager, BASF

K. Kolter, PhD, is head of R&D for pharmaceutical excipients, BASF SE, G-EMP-MD-H201, Ludwigshafen, Germany, 67056, tel. + 49 621 6041664, fax; 49 621 6097370, karl.kolter@basf.com

The authors examine the effectiveness of an excipient comprised of mannitol, polyvinyl acetate, and crospovidone using model actives loperamide hydrogen chloride and caffeine.

Development of Orally Disintegrating Tablets Based on a New Excipient

Novel hydrophobic bioadhesive polymers and dosage designs are now available to effectively achieve tailored release kinetics of a broad range of drugs to meet the clinical needs.

Ingredients