Weekly News Roundup For Pharma CROs, CMOs—August 26, 2014

In the news this week, both the pharma packaging market and thin-film drug manufacturing market are predicted to see increases; biotech investors could hold the key to outsourcing contracts; and the emergence of new technologies and strategies in the lab could be leading to more accurate drug development.

Pharma Packaging Market To Be Worth $79B By 2018

According to a new report entitled “Pharmaceutical Packaging Market by Packaging, Raw Material, and Drug Delivery Type – Global Trends & Forecast to 2018" forecasts that the global pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7 percent from 2013-18. Overall, the market is expected to reach roughly $79 billion, driven primarily by drugs going off-patent, as well as the growing generics and drug delivery markets.

Turning To Biotech Investors Could Secure Outsourcing Contracts

An article in Reuters highlights the strategies emerging in the market that could be implemented to ensure CMOs maintain clients throughout a drug’s lifecycle. As difficult-to-manufacture antibody-drug conjugates and cell/viral therapies garner investments, some CMOs are making it a strategy to turn to the private equity groups and venture capital firms that fund biotech companies. By focusing on this outlet, which often has a say in drug development decisions, CMOs could help offset some of the volatility of outsourced production contracts and ensure future projects. Indeed, the biotech industry has experienced an improved financial landscape as of late, which has led to a higher demand for outsourcing.

Technology In The Lab To End “Pharma Ice Age” 

The Guardian featured an article discussing the role technology is playing in academic laboratories and the effect it will have on the use of animal testing and future drug development. The increasing reliance on technology is an attempt for the industry to end what is known as the “pharmaceutical ice age” where research abounds but medicine shelves remain unstocked. The article discusses the use of Virtual Assay software, organ-on-a-chip, and mini organs. According to one expert, the industry has also been moving towards more collaborations in order to further the open innovation concept and to keep each other from “going up a blind alley.”

Thin-Film Drug Manufacturing Tapping Into Future Growth

According to an IBISWorld report, the thin-film drug manufacturing industry has seen growth over the past 5 years, particularly because it has tapped into a relatively untouched customer base of stroke and post stroke-related ailment patients. Industry revenue is expected to reach $921.8 million, growing by 25 percent in 2014 alone—despite the fact that many of the original thin film drugs (Benadryl, Children’s Triaminic, and TheraFlu thin strips) have left the market because of production difficulties. By 2019, industry revenue is expected to hit $1.3 billion, and thin-film drug manufacturers will be setting their sights on a pipeline that includes a broader array of therapeutic classes, including drugs that treat respiratory illnesses.

Pharma Faces Lingering 2014 Regulatory Challenges

An article on Drug Development and Delivery highlights some of the recent regulations proposed in the realms of data transparency, harmonization, and collaboration. The article discusses the EMA’s Extended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary (XEVMPD), the push for data transparency, global FDA and EMA cross-access to pharmacovigilance databases, and electronic regulatory submissions. 

Pharma Talking Points

According to the Economic Times, The Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) has requested that the government keep clinical trial services out of the ambit of service tax. If these services were to no longer be exempt, they would attract a 12+ percent service tax, increasing drug development costs and drug prices.

Due to quality control problems and production delays, saline solution for hydration and wound cleansing has been facing recent drug shortages. According to The Columbus Dispatch, pharma companies have turned away from the production of older drugs and fluids that are vital in the emergency medicine field. To ensure that these products remain available for emergency responders, several cities in Ohio have installed drug vending machines that dispense necessary drugs and materials to paramedics. These machines track the amount being used to ensure that only necessary amounts of supplies are ordered, cutting down on the disposal of expired, unused products.

HealthWorks Collective highlights some marketing tips for pharma companies and CROs to use when looking to recruit patients for clinical trials. Some of these methods include increasing patient education, employing targeted digital exposure, and increasing the role of social media.