Article Listing - Pharmaceutical
Japan OKs Shionogi’s peramivir; China clears Tianyin’s ofloxacin and fleroxacin
14 January 2010
Japanese drug major Shionogi has received domestic marketing and manufacturing approval for intravenous peramivir to treat patients with influenza. Shionogi intends to commercially launch peramivir under the name Rapiacta in Japan, pending the product's National Health Insurance (NHI) price listing.
Diabetes and pre-diabetes in USA accounted for $218 billion in costs in 2007, study shows
14 January 2010
A new analysis found that the cost of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the USA reached $218 billion in 2007, with the exploding number of cases of type 2 diabetes responsible for the majority of the costs. The National Changing Diabetes Program (NCDP), a program of Denmark-based insulin giant Novo Nordisk, commissioned the analysis, which was funded by the company and is published on-line as a Web First article in Health Affairs. The work was carried out by researchers at The Lewin Group.
AstraZeneca gets novel anti-infective for Korean firm, AC Immune adds to Alzheimer’s portfolio with Russian drug
14 January 2010
Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca has entered into a research collaboration with South Korea-based CrystalGenomics to discover and develop a novel anti-infective for use as a potential antibacterial agent.
Indian patent office begins data compilation on 'working patents'
14 January 2010
In what is perceived as likely to be an enormous task, the Indian government - for the first time - has started the process of compiling data on the status of the valid patents granted during the last over 20 years in the country.
MDRNA leaps on new bladder and liver anti-tumor drug data and collaborative partner
14 January 2010
Shares of US biotechnology firm MDRNA rose more than 60% to $1.52 in early trading yesterday, after the company revealed positive in vivo data for bladder and liver cancer demonstrating further advancement of its oncology programs
New US study confirms inappropriate use of sedative hypnotics by elderly may increase adverse events, health care costs
14 January 2010
A new study from US pharmacy management benefits firm Prescription Solutions provides important evidence that the use of certain potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among the elderly may increase adverse events and health care costs. Among these are sedative, with some well-known drugs in this category including diazepam (Valium) and secobarbital (Seconal).
Biogen Idec’s Tysabri surpasses $1 billion in 2009 sales; fampridine filed in EU, Canada; development deal with Trillium
13 January 2010
In a presentation to investors at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, USA, Biogen Idec’s outgoing chief executive James Mullen outlined the company’s plan to continue to drive shareholder value, and noted that the firm’s multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab) had achieved blockbuster status with more than $1 billion in 200 sales as the number of patients on therapy grew by 30% over the prior year.
Genzyme manufacturing woes hit sales; Amgen forecasts lower-end of expectations EPS and signs deal with MedGenisis
13 January 2010
Speaking at the JP Morgan annual health care conference in San Francisco, USA, yesterday, biotech major Genzyme reported that preliminary fourth-quarter revenue fell 7.7% to $1.08 billion, compared with $1.17 billion in the same period in 2008, largely because of lower sales of two key genetic disorder drugs, following manufacturing problems at a Boston facility.
EU action on pharma patent “pay-to-delay” settlements - a legal opinion; US FTC also to review the subject
13 January 2010
The European Commission yesterday launched a probe over patent settlements made between drug companies and generics manufacturers and whether their use is preventing consumers from accessing cheaper medicines, activities that have been dubbed “pay-to-delay” (The Pharma Letter January 12).
US FDA warns four drugmakers on inaccurate promotion
13 January 2010
The US Food and Drug Administration yesterday sent warning letters to domestic drugmakers Eli Lilly, Amylin and Cephalon, as well as the US subsidiary of German major Bayer accusing them of making inaccurate or incomplete statements while promoting their drugs.
- Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Victoza produced 8% weight loss in Ph III obesity trial
- Positive new data on Novartis' Galvus in elderly type 2 diabetes patients
- Proposal to list Roche's Neulastim and Actemra in New Zealand
- Alchemia and Merck Serono collaborate on HA-Irinotecan with Erbitux
- Johnson & Johnson expects 10 NDA filings by 2017, saying pharma sector poised for growth
