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Jan 4, 2024 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
Nominations for our 2024 Power List will be closing shortly – specifically on Friday January 12, 2024. This is your last chance to have your say on who will be considered for inclusion in the 2024 list, to be published in April. What is the Power List?
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Dec 27, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
Many industry stakeholders have pointed to a talent shortage in drug development and manufacturing, particularly when it comes to cell and gene therapies. In 2019, a report from the UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult showed that there were clear concerns in recruiting talent – a problem which persists to this day. In every country hoping to grow its cell and gene sector, recruiting skilled talent is a prerequisite.
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Dec 21, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
In a vaccine production facility, no one can hear you scream. (OK, they probably can but where else can we use such an iconic sci-fi movie reference?). Influenza was a key theme in this issue, with experts exploring why the virus is seen as a “moving target” and how new breakthroughs in vaccines and vaccine manufacturing technology could help. We also report on a visit to the UK’s largest flu vaccine facilities.
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Nov 27, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
The WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic officially over in May 2023, but the disease continues to make media headlines. In the UK, for example, an outbreak of COVID-19 caused severe flight cancellations in late September at the country’s second biggest airport. In the US, cases are expected to rise over winter, which has triggered the government to re-introduce free at-home testing. Meanwhile, the EU is reportedly talking with Moderna about a new supply deal because of concerns over rising cases.
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Nov 23, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
Last week, the UK’s MHRA conditionally approved the world’s first CRISPR-Cas9 therapy: Casgevy for sickle cell disease and transfusion dependent beta thalassemia. The therapy has been developed by Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics. A decision in the US is not expected until December 8. It’s a remarkable moment for the CRISPR field – and for patients. “Sickle cell disorder is a very complex life-limiting and life-threatening disorder with very limited treatment options.
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Nov 16, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
The FDA set a target action date of December 8 for a decision on whether to approve Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics’ CRISPR-Cas9 gene edited therapy for treating sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT), but the UK has beaten it to the punch. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has conditionally authorized the therapy.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
Contaminated cough medicines and the deaths of young children continue to make media headlines. The Indian drug regulator has reportedly identified more dangerous products. Cough syrups and anti-allergy products from Norris Medicine (reportedly shut down, according to Reuters) were allegedly found to be toxic. In addition, cold medicines made by Fourrts India were contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). DEG and EG have also been mentioned in recent FDA warning letters.
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Oct 31, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
We recently opened nominations for The Medicine Maker 2024 Power List (nominate here), which showcases the inspirational and influential players in drug development and manufacturing. We’ve published an annual Power List for nearly 10 years, but there is one glaring and recurring problem: the lack of nominations for women. Every year, the nominations we receive are heavily dominated by (white) men, leading to a final list also dominated by men.
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Oct 19, 2023 | 
themedicinemaker.com | Stephanie Sutton
Back in 2020, etherna scored around US$36 million (34 million euros) in financing. The plan? To develop mRNA therapeutics using its proprietary TriMix technology – a mix of three mRNA molecules that can circumvent some of the challenges in immunotherapy drug development. Specifically, TriMix enhances the activation and maturation of dendritic cells, stimulates processes to active helper T cells, and promotes activation of cytotoxic T cells.
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Oct 10, 2023 | 
thetranslationalscientist.com | Stephanie Sutton
According to research from the World Obesity Federation, around 51 percent of the global population could be overweight or obese by 2035, if current trends continue. Some governments are approaching the issue by rolling out campaigns to raise awareness of health and to empower people to lose weight, but we also need pharmaceutical interventions. In 2015, researchers, led by Ed Rainger, at the University of Birmingham, UK (UoB), identified an immunopeptide called PEPITEM.
