“The issues identified in the survey are indicative of an industry under continuing pressure to produce innovative medications quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively, while vigilantly maintaining these products’ safety and effectiveness,” said Kurt Nielsen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Innovation & Growth at Catalent Pharma Solutions. “Additionally, the emphasis on partnering strategies reflects a growing need within drug companies for outside expertise in drug development and delivery technologies – an area in which Catalent is widely recognized as a global industry leader.”
In developing and fielding the survey, Catalent and Pharmaceutical Technology sought to collect industry insights about future directions and areas of need regarding innovation and technology in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The survey design and methodology were created in partnership with Pharmaceutical Technology’s research team, and the survey was fielded via e-mail to subscribers of the publication, many of whom are industry experts involved in formulation, clinical R&D, and innovation. Of the 281 professionals who completed the survey, 80% work in North America, and 12% are in Europe.
Some of the more notable survey results are as follows:
- The most significant challenges and considerations when developing a drug formulation are safety (79%), appropriate therapeutic and delivery profiles (61%), and bioavailability issues (57%).
- Among those working with oral solid dosage forms, the top three formulation challenges are bioavailability (41%), stability issues (37%), and solubility (35%).
- Whereas 63% of respondents report that new drug delivery technologies and solutions are typically introduced to their company organically from their internal R&D department, more than half (51%) note that their company has solved drug delivery and formulation challenges by using third-party formulation technologies and development expertise.
“The survey results were consistent with the major technical issues facing formulation scientists, such as ways to improve bioavailability and solubility,” says Patricia Van Arnum, Executive Editor of Pharmaceutical Technology. “Strategies to resolve those issues are of key importance.”
About Catalent
From drug and biologic development services to delivery technologies to supply solutions, Catalent Pharma Solutions has the deepest expertise, the broadest offerings and the most unique technologies in the industry. With over 75 years of experience, Catalent helps customers get more molecules to market faster, enhance product performance, and provide superior, reliable manufacturing and packaging solutions. Catalent employs approximately 9,400 people at 29 facilities worldwide and in fiscal year 2011 generated more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, NJ. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.
more products. better treatments. reliably supplied.™
Media Contact:
Patricia McGee
T +1 (732) 537 6407
patricia.mcgee@catalent.com
