Contributing Editors

41. Emerging Biopharma: Your Next 2 Geographic Markets To Tackle After The US 7/7/2021

    While the majority of the world’s drug development and innovation are underwritten by the United States, emerging drug developers should not overlook these two major regions of the world that represent volume, profit, ingenuity, and growth. 

42. Navigating DSCSA Implementation: Key Requirements & 4 New FDA Guidances 7/5/2021

    In the U.S., you're grappling with how to set up a fully interoperable electronic system for securing and tracing products across industry sectors per the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) by Nov. 2023. Here's how to navigate the key requirements, as well as the FDA's four new guidances on the subject released in June.

43. 5 Foundations Of Lean Leadership For Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Professionals 7/2/2021

    Every life sciences company, now more than ever before, is on a journey to provide greater returns to stakeholders by manufacturing products at better quality and lower cost, which is the aim of lean manufacturing. However, many people forget about the cultural and leadership aspects of lean, which at its foundation are responsible for the success or failure of a lean transformation. 

44. PIC/S Annex Update: What Is Your ATMP Control Strategy? 6/30/2021

    Recently, the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) revised Annex 2 of its GMP guide addressing the manufacturing of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). While this guide is not an FDA or EMA guidance, it represents the consensus thoughts of a group that those regulators participate in. 

45. Emerging Technologies In The Delivery Of Proteins & Peptides 6/28/2021

    The limited ability to selectively deliver new drug molecules in the forms of peptides and proteins remains a significant challenge. Therefore, new materials and manufacturing techniques are emerging to meet the challenges associated with the formulation and delivery of biopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

46. New US Legislation Creates Momentum For Biosimilars 6/25/2021

    Most biosimilars (follow-on biologic products) still only have shares below 50% in the U.S., which is far different than market shares in Europe. One major reason is a mistrust around biosimilars’ safety and efficacy. Congress has stepped in to address that issue through the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2021, with the goal of encouraging rapid uptake soon after biosimilars become commercially available.

47. Best Practices For Designing Microbiology Experiments 6/23/2021

    A sound scientific approach can be taken for running experiments and qualification of microbiological methods. This article looks at factors to consider in drawing up assessment criteria for a microbiological test, including the limit of detection, specificity, and quantification. 

48. Data Integrity In Supply Chain Risk Management During Zero Trust 6/21/2021

    Due to the pandemic, we have had to reconsider our approaches to supply chain risk management and to develop new and creative risk management strategies and tactics in response. This article examines how data integrity principles mitigate ALCOA concerns during this period of zero trust.

49. Peptides: Best Practices On Regulatory & Control Strategies, Analytical Methods, & More 6/18/2021

    Industry, regulatory, and academic experts recently gathered at the United States Pharmacopeial Convention’s (USP’s) annual Peptides & Oligonucleotides Workshop virtually to share best practices on chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) for peptides. This article summarizes discussion highlights.

50. The US Drug Pricing System Needs to Be Fixed 6/16/2021

    Reforms to the U.S. drug pricing environment are required, but to improve patients’ health outcomes, reforms must be grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the current drug pricing system. Otherwise, policymakers will make things worse, not better.