Eisai knowledge center wins award
08 March 2012 | News
Eisai Pharmatechnology and Manufacturing was selected as a category winner for the Facility of the Year Awards in the project execution category among a group of 20 state-of-the-art projects that were constructed in 10 different countries. Now entering its ninth year, the “Facility of the Year Awards� program is the global pharmaceutical industry's premier awards program that recognizes state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing projects that utilize new and innovative technologies to enhance the delivery of a quality project as well as reduce the cost of producing high-quality medicines. With the above, Eisai Vizag has become the first facility of the country to have achieved this prestigious award. In addition to the manufacturing of APIs and formulations of its major products such as Aricept, Eisai is conducting API process research and manufacturing of API and formulations of the company's global products.
Novozymes to collaborate with Sea6
Novozymes entered an exploratory research agreement with Sea6 Energy, an India-based company, to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed. The research alliance will use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food and fertilizers for plants. Novozymes will research, develop, and manufacture enzymes for the conversion process, while Sea6 Energy will contribute its offshore seaweed cultivation technology. Sea6 Energy has already developed ocean-farming structures that are robust and versatile compared to traditional methods of seaweed cultivation. These structures could be used to create large-scale seaweed farms in offshore locations. In addition, Sea6 Energy is also pioneering approaches to fermenting the sugars derived from seaweed to produce fuel in a manner that requires minimal use of fresh water resources. Sea6 Energy is currently trying out its cultivation technology in partnership with a few fishing communities around the coastal areas of South India. Novozymes' Indian arm will work closely with Sea6 Energy to develop the conversion technology.
New Monsanto breeding station in Bangalore
Monsanto India, a subsidiary of the Monsanto Company, US, and the only publicly listed Monsanto entity outside the US, inaugurated their state-of-the-art breeding station for developing and testing new varieties of hybrid corn and vegetable seeds in Karnataka. Spread across 117 acres at Kallinayakanahalli in Chikkaballapur district, 55 km from Bangalore, the breeding station has been established with an investment of
25 crore from Monsanto.
The new facility was inaugurated by Mr D Narain, region lead, Monsanto India, Mr Amitabh Jaipuria, MD, Monsanto India, and Dr Robert de la Pena, Asia vegetable R&D lead, Monsanto Singapore. The breeding station will focus on developing high-yielding hybrid seeds for corn, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber and watermelon cultivation mainly for farmers in southern India.
Ranbaxy files consent decree Ranbaxy Laboratories filed a consent decree with the US FDA on December 20, 2011, with the US District Court for the District of Maryland. Under the terms of the consent decree, which is subject to approval by the court, Ranbaxy has committed to further strengthen procedures and policies to ensure data integrity and to comply with current good manufacturing practices.
“The announcement is the next step in the process of finalizing our agreement with the FDA to resolve this legacy issue,� said Mr Arun Sawhney, Ranbaxy CEO and MD. “All of our efforts are focused on continuing to provide safe, effective and affordable products to consumers around the world,� he said.
GSK net sales up 15.4 percent
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals recently showed a 15.4 percent growth in net sales in its financial results for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2011. The core pharmaceuticals business grew by 18.2 percent for the quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the growth in net sales was 10.7 percent and profit after tax and before exceptional items was 8.6 percent while the core pharmaceuticals business grew by 12.5 percent.
The quarter saw the launch of Synflorix, a vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease, and branded generics in the metabolic and Steifel range of products. In 2011, the company also expanded its oncology portfolio by launching Votrient, indicated for the treatment of RCC and Revolade for the treatment of ITP.
Novozymes to collaborate with Sea6
Novozymes entered an exploratory research agreement with Sea6 Energy, an India-based company, to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed. The research alliance will use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol for fuel, fine chemicals, proteins for food and fertilizers for plants. Novozymes will research, develop, and manufacture enzymes for the conversion process, while Sea6 Energy will contribute its offshore seaweed cultivation technology. Sea6 Energy has already developed ocean-farming structures that are robust and versatile compared to traditional methods of seaweed cultivation. These structures could be used to create large-scale seaweed farms in offshore locations. In addition, Sea6 Energy is also pioneering approaches to fermenting the sugars derived from seaweed to produce fuel in a manner that requires minimal use of fresh water resources. Sea6 Energy is currently trying out its cultivation technology in partnership with a few fishing communities around the coastal areas of South India. Novozymes' Indian arm will work closely with Sea6 Energy to develop the conversion technology.
25 crore from Monsanto.
The new facility was inaugurated by Mr D Narain, region lead, Monsanto India, Mr Amitabh Jaipuria, MD, Monsanto India, and Dr Robert de la Pena, Asia vegetable R&D lead, Monsanto Singapore. The breeding station will focus on developing high-yielding hybrid seeds for corn, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber and watermelon cultivation mainly for farmers in southern India.
Ranbaxy files consent decree Ranbaxy Laboratories filed a consent decree with the US FDA on December 20, 2011, with the US District Court for the District of Maryland. Under the terms of the consent decree, which is subject to approval by the court, Ranbaxy has committed to further strengthen procedures and policies to ensure data integrity and to comply with current good manufacturing practices.
“The announcement is the next step in the process of finalizing our agreement with the FDA to resolve this legacy issue,� said Mr Arun Sawhney, Ranbaxy CEO and MD. “All of our efforts are focused on continuing to provide safe, effective and affordable products to consumers around the world,� he said.
GSK net sales up 15.4 percent
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals recently showed a 15.4 percent growth in net sales in its financial results for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2011. The core pharmaceuticals business grew by 18.2 percent for the quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the growth in net sales was 10.7 percent and profit after tax and before exceptional items was 8.6 percent while the core pharmaceuticals business grew by 12.5 percent.
The quarter saw the launch of Synflorix, a vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease, and branded generics in the metabolic and Steifel range of products. In 2011, the company also expanded its oncology portfolio by launching Votrient, indicated for the treatment of RCC and Revolade for the treatment of ITP.
