Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2008 - (Page 7)

News Pharma at 19% of global R&D expenditure How valuable is the pharma industry to Europe? Figures released by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) have revealed that the pharmaceutical industry has the highest ratio of R&D investment to net sales. The industry accounts for no less than 19% of global business R&D expenditure and 5.8% of all EU manufactured exports. “These figures demonstrate how valuable the research-based pharmaceutical industry is to Europe and its health and economy, but our contribution should not be taken for granted,” says Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA. “For more than a decade, Europe has gradually lost ground as a research base, with a steady transfer of its R&D to other parts of the world, in particular the US where the environment is more supportive of pharmaceutical innovation.” During 1990–2007, R&D investment in the US grew 5.2 times while in Europe it grew only 3.3 times. There is also rapid growth in the research environment in emerging economies such as China and India. The current trend to close R&D sites in Europe to open new sites in Asia will have dramatic effects during the next few years if nothing is done to maintain the discovery expertise in the EU. The US also dominates the biopharmaceutical field, accounting for approximately 75% of the world’s biotechnology revenues and R&D spending. Ager concludes: “If Europe sets itself a number one priority to reward and stimulate innovation, the research-based industry will not only improve healthcare in Europe, but bring new innovative medicines faster to European patients and, therefore, guarantee high living standards for current and future generations of European citizens.” www.efpia.eu Don Farrall/Getty Images Water crisis? The fuel crisis could soon be overshadowed by the impact of limited water supplies if businesses continue current consumption levels, says Envirowise (UK). Water is becoming an increasingly expensive resource and the dwindling supplies have been identified as one of the ‘Top Five Risks’ to mankind this century, alongside soaring food prices and withering fuel supplies. According to Envirowise, in England and Wales more than 604 million m3 of water are used every year, which is enough to fill in excess of 160000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. “Water is still considered by many as a cheap and limitless resource. The reality is that we are using far too much of it and this is putting pressure on existing supplies,” says Clare Sweeney, Water Specialist at Envirowise. Envirowise is calling for businesses to reduce their water consumption. For some industries in the UK, such as the chemical sector, Envirowise predicts that savings of approximately £578000 (€723993) could be made every day. For a business that has not considered its water use, savings of approximately 30% could be made on water and effluent bills, with the potential of increasing this to 50% by investing in long-term water saving projects and technology. Sweeney says: “While cost savings may be a key driver for water conservation, companies that do so demonstrate to customers that they are adopting best environmental practice. This, in itself, offers a competitive advantage.” For detailed information on how a company can decrease its water consumption, read the article Eight steps to improved water efficiency on page 20. www.envirowise.gov.uk Vaccine demand soars Sanofi Pasteur (France) has opened a new high-tech vaccine production facility in France to help the company meet the growing global demand for vaccines. “Sanofi Pasteur’s commitment to global health is exemplified by significant investments in vaccine production infrastructures,” says Wayne Pisano, President and CEO. “These efforts are aimed at meeting a world demand for vaccines expected to double by 2016.” The €100 million facility, expected to open at the end of 2008, is located in Val de Reuil and is part of a €600 million investment undertaken by the company in France during the last 3 years. The automated production unit will be able to produce vaccines against 20 diseases and is scaled to fill 200 million syringes and vials per year. If necessary, it can switch to producing a pandemic influenza vaccine once a strain has been identified by the World Health Organization. Pisano says: “The new facility will provide a high-end production work environment for dedicated people who produce vaccines for the world.” www.sanofipasteur.com www.ptemagazine.com 7 http://www.efpia.eu http://www.envirowise.gov.uk http://www.sanofipasteur.com http://www.ptemagazine.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2008

Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2008 Contents Industry Highlights Morpheus Market Watch Overcoming the Barriers The Tide of Change Eight Steps to Improved Water Efficiency Q&A

Pharmaceutical Technologist - July 2008

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