Articles By Ed Miseta

  1. Flexibility In Biologics Manufacturing: How To Determine If Stainless, Flexible Stainless, Or Single-Use Is Right For You

    Meet customer needs by providing manufacturing options to suit every preference.

  2. UPS Worldport: A Transportation And Logistics Modern Marvel

    One of the joys of working in media is the amount of travel I get to do as part of the job. While boarding planes and sitting in airports can become exhausting and tedious at times, I do get to visit some pretty amazing places that I otherwise would not have the opportunity to access. Visits to major cities like Boston, Chicago, and NYC are always enjoyable, as are visits to landmark places such as the New York Stock Exchange. Since I have been involved in the life sciences space, I have also gotten to visit some pretty memorable manufacturing facilities such as CMC Biologics, Therapure Biopharma, and Gallus Biopharmaceuticals.

    Recently I had the privilege of attending a tour of the enormous UPS Worldport facility in Louisville, KY. To say this hub is incredible would be an understatement. The place is more amazing than Disney World, and should probably be considered as a contender for the eighth wonder of the modern world.

  3. Will More Capitalism Save Pharma?

    Capitalism for some people is equated with greed. Whether this notion is born from increasing consumer resentment towards corporate profits, or perhaps that iconic Gordon Gekko speech in the 1987 movie Wall Street still resonates, capitalism seems to be under greater attack with each passing year. Unfortunately, along with greater resentment of capitalism comes ever increased oversight by government agencies seeking to correct perceived wrongs caused by free markets.

    In the December 29th, 2014 issue of Forbes magazine, editor-in-chief Steve Forbes makes the case for capitalism, specifically from the perspective of the pharmaceutical industry. Forbes gives two examples to back up his stance.

  4. Pain In The Chain Survey: Time To Capitalize On Untapped Opportunities

    UPS has released its 7th annual UPS Pain in the (Supply) Chain Survey of executives in the pharma, biopharma, and med device industries. While this latest version of the survey shows executives still have concerns over the economy, rising costs, and regulatory challenges, there are opportunities companies can capitalize on to help move the industry forward.

    On the positive side, the growth of the global population and the middle class, along with a rise in the median age has created a growing demand for healthcare services. The report notes in order to capitalize on these new opportunities, companies will need to move quickly to make strategic changes to their supply chains. Unfortunately, supply chain change seems to come slowly, and in the current risk-inherent environment, may be impeding growth in the industry.

    While some companies are reacting to emerging opportunities by transforming their supply chains, the report states the winners in tomorrow's healthcare marketplace will be those companies that make their supply chains more flexible and efficient, and begin making those changes as soon as possible. Those that don’t may be taking on the greatest risk of all.

  5. WIB Profile - bluebird bio Scientist On 10 Years Of Performing Tech Transfers

    Kelly Kral has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 10 years. She started her career at Genzyme, working as a process engineer developing a fed batch process for the production of adenovirus in HEK293 suspension cells. Her responsibilities included media screening, cell growth characterization, and virus production in shake flasks, spinners, and bioreactors. She assisted in process transfer to a CMO and authored process documentation, skills she used extensively in her work as group leader for upstream process development at Percivia and in her current role of scientist I at bluebird bio.

  6. Supply Chain Security Goes High Tech To Cut Losses

    If anyone can be called an expert on pharmaceutical shipments, Chuck Forsaith certainly fits the bill. Forsaith is director of supply chain security at Purdue Pharma Technologies and chairman of the Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition (PCSC). He previously served as a municipal and state police officer, as well as directing security operations at a U.S. military installation. When it comes to the safety of pharmaceutical shipments, he believes security is getting better, resulting in a dramatic decrease in security breaches. However, there is still a lot more that can be done to make everyone more vigilant and hopefully put an end to the huge financial losses and health risks posed by the theft of pharmaceutical products. The ramifications of poor security cannot be overemphasized. As Forsaith notes in every presentation he gives, no one has ever suffered an adverse medical event from watching a stolen television set.

  7. Lean Six Sigma: Six Steps To Successful Implementation

    A focus on Lean Six Sigma manufacturing is instrumental to this company’s strategy for future growth and success.