A widespread shortage of Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) in the latter part of 2022 left millions of patients looking for an alternative treatment strategy or dealing with withdrawal symptoms. A Sermo survey found that about half of 348 physicians had encountered patients dealing with the Adderall shortfall. Of the physicians surveyed, 82%, were concerned about the impact…
10 prominent drugs recalled over nitrosamines
In recent years, a number of drug companies have carried out prominent recalls of hypertension, heartburn and diabetes medications due to the presence of nitrosamines, organic compounds shown to cause cancer in animal studies. The problem could cost Big Pharma companies billions of dollars, but proving the cancer-causing role of nitrosamines in drugs may be difficult.…
HHS to offer Tamiflu doses from national stockpile
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that it would provide the prescription flu treatment Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) to jurisdictions with an elevated demand for the antiviral during the flu season. The move would make millions of treatment courses available. Roche is the developer of Tamiflu. Several generics are also available…
MasterControl raises $150M to support its quality and manufacturing software
MasterControl (Salt Lake City) today announced a $150 million Series A round led by Sixth Street Growth, with a company valuation of $1.3 billion. The money raised will accelerate the development of its quality and manufacturing software as a service offerings serving life sciences customers. MasterControl’s customers include such giants as Pfizer, Cochlear and Thermo Fisher…
Lilly and EVA Pharma partner to improve insulin access in Africa
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Egypt-headquartered EVA Pharma have developed a plan to collaborate to supply at least one million people in low- and middle-income countries. Many of the recipients of the vaccines will be in Africa. Roughly a month ago, Lilly’s share price fell about 4% after a fake Twitter account stated…
Eschbach debuts Shiftconnector’s AI-based smart search to optimize plant performance
The software developer Eschbach has added AI-based search engine capabilities to its Shiftconnector digital manufacturing software for process manufacturing. The company specializes in serving the needs of the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Eschbach introduced its Shiftconnector software almost two decades ago to facilitate handover, employee communication, production management and regulatory compliance. The new Smart Search functionality in the Shiftconnector…
Healiva buys critical cell therapy manufacturing assets from B. Braun
Healiva announced today that it acquired critical manufacturing assets from B. Braun’s B. Braun Medical AG Switzerland affiliate. The companies declined to disclose financial details for the acquisition. Lugano, Switzerland-based Healiva develops precision medicine for patients with chronic and acute wounds. It acquired a qualified cell bank for the manufacturing of its first cell therapy…
Teva Pharmaceuticals names former Sandoz exec to CEO post
Generics giant Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA) has named Richard Francis, the CEO of gene therapy company Purespring Therapeutics, as its leader. Purespring Therapeutics is one of the first adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy companies focused on kidney disease. Francis is also the CEO of the cardiotherapy-focused firm Forcefield Therapeutics, and an operating partner for Syncona Investment…
GE HealthCare investing $80M in contrast media ingredients plant in Norway
GE HealthCare today announced it is investing $80 million to expand contrast media production capacity in Norway. The investment will go toward increasing manufacturing capacity by 30% at its active pharmaceutical ingredients site in Lindesnes, Norway. As a result, the investment will create around 100 new jobs. GE HealthCare officials have committed to addressing the…
California could tap nonprofit Civica Rx to produce insulin
The state of California is reportedly planning to work with the nonprofit generic drug company Civica Rx to produce the hormone, according to NBC. California could confirm the partnership in mid-December, but the partnership has not yet been verified. This summer, California Governor Gavin Newsom hinted that the state planned to manufacture insulin to help people with diabetes…