Artificial intelligence (AI) is already proving to be one of the most results-driving technologies used by life science companies in 2023. AI is currently being explored by 79% of biopharma companies, who are combining or exploring the combination of humans and AI in various initiatives, including responding to medical information (MI) inquiries from healthcare professionals…

The omnibus spending bill recently signed by President Joe Biden directs the FDA to expand unannounced foreign facility inspections and evaluate them through a new pilot program. The legislation includes $10 million for the program and a mandate to increase unannounced surveillance inspections of foreign drug establishments, Regulatory Focus reports. The legislation also directs the…

Agilent recently announced that it plans to double its manufacturing capacity of therapeutic nucleic acids. The $725 million investment will go toward the Santa Clara, California–based company’s Frederick, Colorado facility. The Colorado plant will get new Train C and D manufacturing lines. The facility already has a Train B manufacturing line, announced in 2020, that…

Baxter (NYSE:BAX) today unveiled a strategic roadmap for its future that includes potential plans for its BioPharma Solutions (BPS) business. The company’s plans include a simplified commercial and manufacturing footprint, according to a news release. The company also intends to improve its capital structure. That includes a review of strategic alternatives for its BioPharma Solutions…

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…

The biotech Athenex (Nasdaq:ATNX) plans to close a facility in Clarence, New York, by March 17, according to a notice from the New York State Department of Labor. It will cut 92 jobs in the process. The company also noted it would close its 503B sterile compounding business to focus on cell therapy. In the third…

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.…

In recent years, interest in blockchain distributed ledger technology has crescendoed and crashed. Boosters of the technology proclaimed that it could revolutionize everything from the pharma supply chain to business contracts. However, critics lamented that the technology often appeared like an expensive solution in search of a problem. “There’s been a lot of false promises…

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…

The contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Scorpion Biological Services will adopt the name Scorpius BioManufacturing after unveiling expanded manufacturing capabilities earlier this year. The company opened a new biomanufacturing facility in San Antonio in October. Scorpius will be headquartered in the same city. A string of companies have also changed their name in 2022. The smoking…