This week in pharma… 24th June

Ramarketing news round-up 

In this week’s news, CDMOs with tech key to boost R&D success, API market recovery an opportunity for contractors and more.

CDMOs with tech are key to R&D success says investment group

Working with CDMOs that have cutting edge manufacturing technology is a must for drug companies according to new analysis.

The research – by investment group Permia – looked at ways of improving R&D success rates and found that contract manufacturers with the right technology can have a significant impact.

According to author Laura O’Donnell, “New technology can play a significant role in reducing the costs and increasing the speed of bringing novel therapies to market, without compromising safety standards. 

Right now, efficiency-enabling opportunities such as increased automation during manufacturing help reduce time and costs in bringing new drugs to market.”

Read the full report here.

Opportunities for vaccine and biosimilar CDMOs

The global API market is showing signs of growth according to new analysis which suggests there will opportunities for CDMOs that make vaccine and biosimilar ingredients.

In a report published this week, DCAT took a look at opportunities in the drug ingredient market and found that – as the pandemic recedes – demand is beginning to normalize.

OrganaBio launches cell therapy CDMO

OrganaBio has launched a cell therapy manufacturing facility citing biopharma industry demand for specialized manufacturing services.

The company will leverage its tissue supply chains to manufacture clinical grade tissue and cellular raw materials derived from perinatal tissues and adult apheresis products for industry partners.

CEO Justin Irizarry said, “Our conversations with customers and partners have revealed that GMP manufacturing space, available immediately, and with flexibility to allow developers to manufacture their drugs alongside OrganaBio’s professionals, is extremely valuable.

Also in the news

The Pink Sheet looked at development of legislation surrounding continuous manufacturing in the US.

US FDA oversight of overseas drug and API manufacturing facilities was severely impacted by the pandemic according to a report by STAT. RAPS’ coverage of the story focused on the uptick in domestic site audits.

Endpoints profiled Samsung Biologics’ efforts to ramp up contract manufacturing capacity.

Pfizer has opened a drug manufacturing facility in Freiburg, Germany.

Endpoints looked at Moderna’s plans to invest $523m in a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Spain.

The US FDA claims it prevented a record number of potential drug shortages in 2021.

Reuters looked at EU plans to invest in vaccine production capacity in South America.

Money Control analysed Indian CDMO Gland Pharma.

ChargePoint Technology expands into Europe with new Munich site.

The Medicine Maker published an article on why packaging should be about patients and how can we turn a decades-old philosophy into the status quo.

WorldPharma published an article on delivering better returns on packaging automation investment. 

CDMO trends

Some developments of note in the contracting sector: 

BioCina has expanded its CDMO service offering to include the manufacture of plasmid DNA (pDNA) in a new dedicated GMP suite. 

The US Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM) has teamed with with the Discovery Labs to build capacity to manufacture more than 10,000 patient cell therapies.

KBI Biopharma (KBI) and Selexis SA have opened an expanded, fully-integrated mammalian contract development and manufacturing services facility in Geneva, Switzerland.

ASC Therapeutics will work with Charles River Laboratories to scale-up the manufacture ASC618, a second-generation gene therapy for hemophilia A.

Pierre Fabre has hired Lonza to manufacture W0180, a monoclonal antibody currently being investigated as a treatment for various solid tumors.

Kindeva has acquired iPharma to increase its inhalation formulation outsourcing capabilities.