Editor's letter

Welcome to the latest issue of Pharmaceutical Technology Focus magazine

It is not easy to pick a name for a drug. Not only are there chemical and non-proprietary names to consider, but companies also need to assign a market-friendly brand name that can be used easily by pharmacists, physicians, patients and other stakeholders. Moreover, these names need to be unique so there is no confusion between similar sounding drugs.

In this month’s cover story, we explore the role of several international bodies in naming new therapies, and how this process is changing in light of increasing numbers of cell and gene therapies, and the growth of biosimilars.

Also, in this issue, we explore how gene therapies could transform the treatment of sickle cell disease. This issue also features a roundup of key trends set to affect the European biotech industry and the UK’s pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape. All this and the latest news and analysis on the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

Manasi Vaidya, editor