Thursday, 31 July 2008
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Call for FDA overhaul
A leading member of the US House of Representatives and a leading Congressman have called for a major overhaul of the nation's drug regulator. Representative John Dingell and Senator Chuck Grassley say there should be a taller wall between the agency and the industry it regulates. In addition they have called for the FDA to be given the authority to recall drugs, to impose significant fines on drug companies for safety violations and to inspect generic-drug makers before approving a new product. In addition, they want the next president to appoint a tough FDA commissioner completely independent from the industry. It is unlikely that any changes will happen before the elections in November, but next year may see significant changes to the FDA.
Wall Street Journal
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Lonza predicts weaker H2, expands Hopkinton site
Lonza reported a 83% rise in first-half net profit boosted by the sale of its stake in Polynt SpA. However the company said underlying performance was "on track despite currency and raw material challenges". Lonza ceo Stefan Borgas said the company will have a "weaker" second half than the first as a number of biopharmaceuticals customers have postponed projects until next year. Lonza is adding a state-of-the-art, high-titer 2000L microbial fermentation manufacturing train in Hopkinton, MA. The plant, which is due onstream in March 2009, will meet customer demand for mid-scale microbial manufacturing.
Reuters
Bloomberg
Lonza
SAFC record sales, expects slower growth
Sigma-Aldrich's SAFC fine chemicals division reported 11% growth in Q2 and sales of $170.4m - a third successive quarter with a sales record for the company. However, the company has reduced its growth expectations from 8-9% to 5-6% as a result of "recent economic and industry conditions and discussions with customers". The company is still looking at acquisitions that may further enhance growth.
Sigma-Aldrich
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
FDA to send workers overseas by end 2009
The US FDA expects to station employees in in China, India, Europe and Latin America to improve the safety of exports of food and drugs by the end of 2009. Workers will be stationed in the Middle East at a later date.
Bloomberg
Q2 sales rise for Albemarle's fine chemicals
Albemarle saw a 15% increase, to $151.9m, in net sales for its fine chemicals business in Q2. The company attributed the rise to higher volumes and improved pricing. However income for the sector declined $1.8m to $24.5m.
Albemarle
