Next Issue

March 2010
Here are some of the articles coming up in the next issue of World Pharmaceuticals Frontiers.

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Hit the Spot
The drug delivery market is one of innovation. Manufacturers, academia and other research bodies are continually looking for ways to better ensure the delivery of medication is easier and more effective. GlobalData takes a close look at this market, asks who the key players are and provides the lowdown in market dynamics.

A Spoon Full of Sugar
As the world begins to emerge from the darkest days of the global recession there remains concerns that not all economies will flourish at the same pace. This means there is a greater risk of an economic relapse both locally and globally. While pharma has been protected from the worst of the recent troubles it remains vulnerable. What steps should business be taking to be prepared for any eventuality, good or bad? Deloitte analysts share their thoughts in this special report.

Picture Perfect?
Molecular imaging has had pharma talking for some time with many looking to use it to help reduce drug discovery times and costs. It has also been suggested that regulatory bodies would soon move to include such imaging as part of the approvals process. What is the current regulatory position and how is molecular imaging helping in the development of drugs? Professor Ken Mills of Brighton & Sussex Medical School investigates.

SPECIAL REPORT – Swine Flu and the Race
Swine flu hit the headlines in April 2009 with the Mexican outbreak, which spread quickly around the world. Governments, regulators and the industry worked quickly and in collaboration in an unprecedented way to try to fast track a vaccine for mass production. How did these collaborations work and what regulations, if any, were tweaked for the sector to best serve the international community in extraordinary times? In this special report we speak with some of the key players.

Awash with Ideas
The use of water in the manufacturing process is of keen importance to the industry. However, it is rarely noted as being so. Ensuring the quality of water is essential to the best quality of the final product and that all manufacturing processes are in line with regulations. Philip Sumner, an engineer with Pfizer Global Engineering, explains the issues surrounding the use of water in pharmaceuticals.

Embracing the Motherboard
The use of IT has undoubtedly changed many business practices. Although now not new its evolution continues to have an impact on the way we work. How can industry better embrace IT in this field and what are the next big developments? Neil Brittain of Novartis Pharma shares his thoughts.

A Dog's Life?

Legislation Over Innovation
A group of researchers has warned that EU red tape is severely hampering clinical research and could be ultimately "killing patients". They argue that legislation introduced five years ago has had a detrimental impact on the number of people enrolling in clinical trials. Professor Rory Collins, co-director of the Clinical Trial Service Unit at the University of Oxford, lead author on the report, explains why he feels legislation is the problem.

Complimentary Therapy
Convergence is something growing in importance among the pharma and medical device fields. As technology evolves and the ambitions of providers mean barriers are continually being pushed, the relationship between biotech / pharma and medical device manufacturers is also changing. GlobalData investigates the future of convergence.

A New Package
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most regulated in the world and packaging in the sector is no different. The new readability guidelines are due to come into force in 2010 and will signal a dramatic change in the way packaging is produced. Klaus Mengers, director of the Federal Institute for Drug and Medical Devices investigates the work that has led to the new framework and what steps pharma should be taking to ensure compliance with just a few months to go.

A Latin Swing
Latin America is a potential sleeping giant within pharmaceuticals. Like many other industry sectors the pharma market has been growing steadily but quietly in this part of the world. We investigate the market, its drivers and if there are yet any real investment opportunities.

Plain Sailing?
Having knowledge is essential to the success of anything. However, having geographical and political acumen is something that could be key to ensuring your supply and cold chains run smoothly. Understanding risk and how best to reduce it and having working knowledge of practical issues such as shipping lanes can help save both money and time. The recent spate of piracy is another added distraction that international trade needs to consider. Bill Chase, working in shipping and receiving for Bristol-Myers Squibb offers some practical advice.

Wake-up Call
When contracting out a function it is important to ensure that you are as focused as you can be. During research this is no different and the price you can pay for missing key information can be extremely high. Professor Theodore W Guentert of F Hoffmann-La Roche tells of the benefits of initiating strategies for identifying liability early by complimenting in vivo studies with in vitro and in silico toxicity analysis.

Top 20 Emerging Products
A look at the state of the industry's pipeline. With many commentators warning that the pipeline is less populated than it has been for many years, what might this mean for the future of the sector and how will it open the door for smaller operators?

Manufacturing Change
We hear a lot about the need for better regulation and, as the world gets smaller, standardisation. However, globalisation has undoubtedly had an impact on regulation and subsequently the requirements being placed on manufacturers, how they are evolving and what the future might hold. Dr Michael Beatrice, corporate vice president quality and regulatory compliance at Abbott, looks at how the manufacturing regulatory framework is changing and what will be the next big requirements placed on the sector by regulators.

Another View
Screening is a crucial part of the drug discovery process, allowing developers to better select the required compounds. However, as Dr Jonathon Lee of Eli Lilly & Co explains, combining the benefits of HTS with HCS and utilising the data more effectively can dramatically improve the outcomes of the screening process and effectively expedite the process.