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Keep up with the latest developments across the industry by visiting www.worldpharmaceuticals.net


World Pharmaceutical Frontiers 2023 Vol. 2


Editorial Editor Peter Littlejohns peter.littlejohns@progressivemediainternational.com Sub-editor Tal Abdulrazaq


Production manager Dave Stanford Group art director Henrik Williams


Designer Martin Faulkner Head of content Jake Sharp


Commercial Sales manager Nathan Park


nathan.park@progressivemediainternational.com Client services executive Derek Deschamps Managing director William Crocker


World Pharmaceutical Frontiers is published by Progressive Media International.


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ISSN 1742-3791 © 2023


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here’s no shortage of examples when it comes to recent pharmaceutical innovations: The Covid-19 vaccine was developed, manufactured and rolled out in record time; the first dementia drug to be approved by the FDA in 20 years (aducanumab) entered the market, followed by another (lecanemab) not long after; a new drug (inclisiran) that blocks the PCSK9 protein from recycling LDL receptors was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by 50% in conjunction with statins; and blockbuster GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide and tirzepatide) are taking the market by storm due to their ability to manage diabetes and tackle obesity. All of these are no doubt impressive, but they wouldn’t be possible without developments in research labs and on the production floor. In this issue, we shine a light on innovations that could have transformative potential for the industry in a number of different ways. Our cover story examines an area that doesn’t often grab the limelight despite its potential to improve drug delivery and patient adherence. I’m talking, of course, about inhalers, and on page 16, Theresa Devereux explores the benefits of inhaled drug delivery, and what’s preventing companies from making inhalers for more conditions.


Moving from sprays to sharps, it takes a lot of force to suck honey through a straw, and that’s kind of the same dilemma faced by those looking to make viscous drugs injectable. On page 8, Monica Karpinski explores the different methods that could be employed to open up more drugs to parenteral delivery. Physical limitations are one thing, but a chemical reaction can destabilise a batch of APIs worth millions. On page 44, we look at production on a molecular level, focusing on a class of drug growing in importance every year: peptides. I speak to two experts in the field to learn why manufacturers have a huge problem to overcome, and how their work could lead to solutions, with enough industry buy-in. Other topics discussed in this issue include 4.0 technologies in the supply chain, weighing up advantages in the use of air freight and sea freight and stabilising drugs using surfactants. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to develop and produce blockbuster drugs. I hope you enjoy this peak under the hood at the moving parts that make it all possible.


Peter Littlejohns, editor


World Pharmaceutical Frontiers / www.worldpharmaceuticals.net


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