Four astronauts ended a six-month science expedition that evaluated the potential of Redwire technology to produce certain crystals for pharmaceuticals. In November, Redwire Corporation announced that its “lab-in-a-box” was installed in an orbiting laboratory following a launch on SpaceX’s 29th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission. The pharmaceutical in-space laboratory (PIL) biocrystal optimization experiment (BOX) aimed…
Telix Pharmaceuticals to buy ARTMS and its isotope production platform
Telix Pharmaceuticals announced that it agreed to acquire radioisotope production technology firm ARTMS Inc. ARTMS also brings with it an advanced cyclotron-based isotope production platform and manufacturing plant. It has a stockpile of ultra-pure rare metals required for consumable target production, too, according to a news release. The company specializes in the physics, chemistry and…
Generic drugs maker Noumed Pharma announces new Australia plant
Noumed Pharmaceuticals says it started construction on a $100 million purpose-built facility in South Australia’s northern suburbs. According to a news release. the company expects this facility to become the most modern of its kind in Australia. The state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing plant enhances the country’s sovereign supply into the pharmacy and health networks. Noumed plans…
Pfizer gives up on Washington state manufacturing plant project
Pfizer recently announced that it will wind down the construction of an Everett, Washington cancer therapies manufacturing plant that it inherited through its $43 billion acquisition of Seagen last year. Over the summer before the acquisition closure in December 2023, Seagen had inked a $215 million deal with contractor Skanksa to build the 270,000-square-foot facility,…
Bristol Myers Squibb plans $400M expansion in Ireland
Bristol Myers Squibb announced that it invested $400 million to build a sterile drug product (SDP) facility in Dublin, Ireland. This Cruiserath facility will support the manufacturing and supply of existing medicines and serve as a launch excellence facility for pipeline assets. It marks the first European SDP facility for biologics manufacturing at Bristol Myers…
AbbVie president and COO to move into corner office
AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) recently announced that its board of directors has decided to promote the company’s president and COO Robert A. Michael into the corner office. Michael will succeed Richard A. Gonzalez, who is retiring as CEO on July 1. Gonzalez will stay as executive chair of AbbVie’s board. “On behalf of AbbVie’s board, I…
Takeda wins approval for eosinophilic esophagitis drug Eohilia
Takeda announced this week that it received FDA approval for its Eohilia (budesonide oral suspension) therapy. This makes Eohilia the first and only FDA-approved oral therapy for people 11 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Takeda plans to offer it in 2 mg/10 mL convenient, single-dose stick packs by the end of February. Eohilia, a…
Catalent cuts 300 jobs ahead of acquisition by Novo Holdings
Catalent said this week that it reduced its headcount by approximately 300 employees as part of a restructuring effort. The company confirmed the workforce reduction in its 10-Q quarterly report, filed on Feb. 14. This also coincides with preparations for an acquisition as Novo Holdings agreed to buy the leading pharmaceutical CDMO for $16.5 billion…
Sanofi offers a year of salary to employees facing cancer, critical illnesses
French pharma giant Sanofi launched a new global program aimed at providing financial, social and emotional assistance to employees diagnosed with cancer or other critical illnesses. Dubbed “Cancer & Work: Acting Together,” the program guarantees continued salary and benefits for up to one year for affected staff regardless of role or location. It also incorporates…
A guide to implementing operational excellence in drug development
When it comes to drug development and manufacturing, operational excellence (OpEx) is critical for success at all levels. It can help establish a culture of continuous improvement and innovation while supporting data quality, compliance, customer satisfaction, and more. It can even impact external perceptions of the company and confidence in the strength of the business.…