Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim today have entered into exclusive negotiations to swap businesses. The proposed transaction would consist of an exchange of Sanofi animal health business (Merial) with an enterprise value of €11.4 bn and Boehringer Ingelheim consumer healthcare (CHC) business with an enterprise value of €6.7 bn. Boehringer Ingelheim CHC business in China would be excluded from the transaction. The transaction would also include a gross cash payment from Boehringer Ingelheim to Sanofi of €4.7 bn.

Sanofi would become a global leader in consumer healthcare and Boehringer Ingelheim would become second largest animal health company.

Capsugel, Xcelience and Powdersize have announced that the three companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Capsugel will acquire both Xcelience and Powdersize. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, will further enhance Capsugel’s position as a leading provider of innovative dosage forms and solutions to healthcare customers around the world.

Upon completion of the transaction, both Xcelience and Powdersize will be integrated with Capsugel’s Dosage Form Solutions business unit, which has built a premier offering in bioavailability enhancement, a complete range of modified release solutions and a growing suite of applications in other areas, including bio-therapeutics, inhalation and pediatric formulations.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 'Advanced Mechanisms in Drug Delivery', finds hydrogels, phospholipids, microspheres, cyclodextrins and nanotechnology based formulations are emerging drug delivery mechanisms that will displace established technologies such as polymeric micelles, niosomes, phosphorous acids and starch-based structures. Not only are these new-age drug delivery mechanisms biodegradable and non-toxic, they also enhance the bioavailability of drugs, promote solubility in various environments and ensure targeted delivery. Biodegradable and non-toxic drug delivery mechanisms will replace the current methods. These emerging drug delivery mechanisms will enhance the bioavailability of drugs, promote solubility in various environments and ensure targeted delivery.

If you recently launched an innovative health product, you have the exclusive opportunity to take part in the Pharmapack Europe Awards!

Enter the competition for Heath Products, the award honouring pharma companies who have seen their drug or medical device with an innovative packaging solution enter the European market between March 2015 and January 2016. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of independent doctors and pharmacists. After reviewing all entries, the jury members will decide amongst the three best innovations submitted.

Entries must be submitted by November 27th. Full details are available on the web site.