Scil Proteins signs Reteplase manufacturing deal Germany's Scil Proteins Production has been contracted to manufacture the recombinant plasminogen activator (rPA) component of Actavis' myocardial infarction drug Reteplase (rapilysin). Under the terms of the deal Swiss drug major Roche, which transferred all rights to Retephase to Actavis in 2007, will pass on all manufacturing expertise and know-how to Scil. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. Scil will produce the rPA at its good manufacturing practice (GMP) accredited site which was opened in April this year. The facility has a fermentation capacity of up to 1000 liters and will be inspected by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in 2009 as part of the requirement for marketing approval. Ulrike Fiedler, CEO of Scil explained that: "The deal validates our expertise in the manufacturing of highly complex proteins for commercial purposes. After the tech-transfer we prepare for the production of the market supply." ANDAPharm to produce hormonal drug Florida-based ANDAPharm, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovics Pharmaceuticals, says it has signed a contract with an unnamed leading pharmaceutical company for the manufacture and supply of a hormonal prescription drug. ANDAPharm believes that potential annual sales of this product, including an earlier contract with a second pharmaceutical company, could reach between $7.5m (€4.6m) and $8m. John Copanos, ANDAPharm's founder, said: "We are very pleased with the success of this product and are looking forward to the possibility of further supply contracts for drugs produced in this containment suite." Sentry adds pharmaceutical finishing services Sentry Logistic Solutions has enhanced its capabilities with the addition of temperature-controlled labeling, packaging and kitting services to its offering for the bio-pharmaceutical industry. By utilising the new capabilities pharmaceutical companies can reduce product risk, improve quality control, and enhance product integrity throughout the supply chain, according to Sentry. Jennifer Marcum, Sentry's CEO, said: "Custom Finishing Services are an integral part of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Sentry has the facility, expertise and quality systems to offer these valuable services On-Demand, providing our clients with flexibility in finished product delivery while reducing freight costs and storage fees."
