Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - May 2012 - (Page 12)

BLOGS ABRIDGED Pharma’s Efforts in Nanofactories: The Developing Countries next frontier in protein synthesis? Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have recently developed nanoparticles that can be triggered controllably to synthesise proteins. The hope is that particles could be used to deliver small proteins that kill cancer cells and eventually larger proteins such as antibodies that trigger the immune system to destroy tumours. Although more testing must be done to show that the nanoparticles can reach their intended target in humans and that they can be used to produce therapeutic proteins, the research is an interesting start. The researchers are also working on particles that can synthesize potential cancer drugs by targeting protein production that could be turned on only in the tumour, thereby avoiding side effects in healthy cells. The team also is working on new ways to activate the nanoparticles. Possible approaches include production triggered by acidity level or other biological conditions specific to certain body regions or cells. http://blog.pharmtech.com/2012/04/16/nanofactories-the-next-frontierin-protein-synthesis/ The World Health Organisation has launched a new plan that aims to completely eliminate measles and rubella. Key to the success of the plan will be vaccination. According to the WHO, measles deaths have reduced by 74% between 2000 and 2010 thanks to vaccines. Now, the WHO wants to go a step further by introducing rubella vaccines too. By 2015, the plan intends to cut deaths by 95% compared with 2000 levels, and to completely eliminate measles and rubella in at least five WHO regions by 2020. The initiative, named Measles & Rubella Initiative, has received strong support from the GAVI Alliance, which obtains vaccines from the pharma industry at subsidized prices for use in vaccination campaigns in developing countries. Meanwhile, earlier this month the European Commission offered a €2-million prize to encourage researchers to overcome one of the main barriers to using vaccines in developing countries: the need to keep them stable at any ambient temperature. Vaccines used in tropical and developing countries are often rendered ineffective by temperature variations during transport and storage long before they reach their intended patients. The EC believes that solving the challenge of vaccine stability could go far in aiding the vaccine efforts of developing countries and an inducement prize could be just what’s needed. http://blog.pharmtech. com/2012/04/25/pharma%E2%80%99sefforts-in-developing-countries/ Pharma Efforts in Developing Countries 2 PARTICLE ANALYSIS 17 GMP INSPECTIONS 10 NEWS 18 COLUMNS 12 BLOGS 10 PRESERVATIVES 16 CAPSULE FILLING 21 TOP TECH http://blog.pharmtech.com/2012/04/25/pharma%E2%80%99s-efforts-in-developing-countries/ http://blog.pharmtech.com/2012/04/16/nanofactories-the-next-frontier-in-protein-synthesis/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - May 2012

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - May 2012
Contents
Experts discuss the importance of particle characteristics
News Bites
Blogs Abridged
Interview: Atomic Force Microscopy
Pan Coating and Scale-Up: a Guide Based on First Principles
Preparing Powders and Capsules
Top GMP Deficiencies
Column Crunch: French taxes; learning from Apple; ingredients; and GMP
Preventing Contamination with Preservatives
Top Tech

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - May 2012