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The route to patient-centric drug delivery

There is increasing discussion of ‘patient-centricity’ within the industry. Incorporating this concept into drug delivery can be challenging but it does provide a huge opportunity to improve adherence. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers speaks to Olaf Lebau, design engineer for Medical Device and Combination Products at Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, about best practices when implementing a patient-centric approach.

Nanotechnology for drug delivery

Recently, a number of methods based on nanotechnology have been developed that make drugs 'smarter' and more effective at reaching their target. Researchers from the University of Lincoln have tested a new technique using gold nanoparticles, which can hold drugs on their surface to stop them becoming insoluble or degrading. We speak to lead author Wenwei May about the potential of this technology to optimise drug delivery.

Current and emerging key quality attributes of parenteral grade excipients

There are a number of different parenteral grade excipients used in biopharmaceutical formulations. Deciding between them can be challenging, particularly in light of current requirements. We sit down with Rajsekhar Paul, the fellow who is focusing on late phase pharmaceutical development in biologics at Novartis, about moving beyond pharmacopeia to next generation parenteral excipients.

Gene and cell therapies

Manufacturing a cell or gene therapy is difficult and costly. Unlike other types of drugs, these demand a sophisticated and circular process that is individuated for each patient. Minh Hong, head of commercial development for Cell Therapies at Lonza, speaks to World Pharmaceutical Frontiers about optimal strategies when manufacturing these drugs, including how to choose the right technology.

The golden rules for air cargo pharma handling

Pharmaceuticals are particularly difficult to transport, with a number of potential areas of weakness within the supply chain. Greater data sharing between partners can provide opportunities as well as challenges. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers speaks to Rafik H. Bishara, former director of QKMTS, Eli Lilly & Company, about how to overcome the key issues to achieve end-to-end control.

Investigation with CMOs

Maintaining a good relationship with a CMO is imperative. Despite the best of intentions, unexpected problems can arise. We talk to Nicolas Puljic, external manufacturing production manager at Biogen, about how to optimise communication and transparency to help manage these situations effectively.

Moving towards future regulatory processes

There are a number of cloud-based solutions that offer a number of opportunities for process improvement, such as natural language processing and artificial intelligence. Joerg Stueben, senior expert of global regulatory operations at Boehringer Ingelheim, discusses the implications of these technologies for the industry.

3D printing and industry 4.0

While the use of additive manufacturing is still minimal compared to other production methods, the market for 3D printing, and other industry 4.0 technologies, is expected to rapidly grow over the next several years. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers talks to Jospeh Sendra, vice-president of engineering and technology at Johnson & Johnson, about the potential these technologies have for manufacturing.

Smart packaging

Smart packaging offers huge value to the whole of the supply chain. There are a number of recent innovations that can help to optimise monitoring. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers speak to Ruud van der Geer, associate director of supply chain management EMEA, MSD, about the opportunities and future directions within the field.

Risk Mitigation Strategies and documentation for extractable, leachable & interactions in parenteral devices

When making parenteral drug products, there is a need to further investigate the materials that will be in contact with the drug product, either during manufacturing, intermediate storage, storage in its final packaging, or during the delivery of the drug to the patient. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers speaks to Carsten Worsoe, principal scientist at Novo Nordisk, about the strategies key to mitigating risk and optimising documentation for extractable, leachable and interactions.

The limits of serialisation and traceability

There is widespread knowledge of the growth of the illicit pharmaceutical trade but serialisation compliance is only part of the solution. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers invites a roundtable of Dr Jyrki Syvaeri of Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Jan van der Horst of DSM Centrient Pharmaceuticals and Tania Snioch of GS1, to discuss the key strategies that are required to tackle the issue.

Sustainable Sourcing & Supply Chain Engagement

Several aspects of the pharma sourcing process and supplier relationships offer opportunities to advance sustainability and strategic goals. These include alternative raw materials at manufacturing facilities, sourcing of renewable materials and partnering on supplier sustainability. We ask Sulaiman Hamidi, director of sustainability and product stewardship at Allergan, about how best to leverage resources to enhance sustainability throughout the supply chain.

Digital Technology within the Pharma Supply Chain

The ability to share data throughout the entire supply chain is becoming a pivotal aspect in optimising logistical services for pharmaceutical products. Creating full transparency by digitising the process and logistical chain allows for the advancement towards real lane validation. World Pharmaceutical Frontiers speaks to Eddie Guzdar, medical head, physician, strategy consultant of digital health and pharma at Sanofi, about the role of collaboration in optimising the use of digital technologies within the supply chain.