Article Listing - Merck Serono pledges up to $19M as part of MS R&D accord
GlaxoSmithKline sells Croatian research center to Galapagos, names new CFO and enters supply deal with Lonza; EMEA update on Avandia and Pandemrix
9 September 2010
In what proved to be a busy news day for UK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK: L) the company yesterday announced an agreement for Belgian group Galapagos (XBRU:GLPG) to acquire its state-of-the art research center in Zagreb, Croatia, a succession plan for its chief financial officer and a supply deal with Swiss contract manufacturer Lonza (LONN.VX). Added to which, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) gave an update to its consideration of the firm’s diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone), which has been the subject of much debate and criticism due to its supposed links with cardiovascular side effects.
Ono Pharma buys Japanese rights to two cancer drugs in $340 million deal with Onyx
9 September 2010
California, USA-based drugmaker Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ONXX) has entered into an exclusive agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4528) to develop and commercialize two cancer compounds from Onyx's proteasome inhibitor development program – carfilzomib with potential in multiple melanoms and ONX 0912 - for a total consideration of nearly $340 million.
Europe adopts new law on animal experimentation, including a ban on use of great apes
9 September 2010
The European Parliament voted to adopt a new law on animal experimentation, which replaces the nearly 25-year-old European Directive Directive 86/609 that regulates the use of more than 12 million animals in EU laboratories each year. The new law - which has been hotly debated during years of negotiation - introduces key improvements that will significantly strengthen animal protection in many of the newer member state countries where only minimum standards presently exist. In other countries such as the UK and Germany, it is likely to be 'business as usual' with few new restrictions on animal use to apply.
Jennerex licenses lead cancer compound to Transgene in over $116 million deal
9 September 2010
US privately-held oncology-focussed drug developer Jennerex has entered into an exclusive partnership with French drugmaker Transgene (TNG: FP) to develop and commercialize JX-594 for the treatment of solid tumors.
Israel’s Supreme Court rules in favor of Sun Pharma, lifting injunction on Taro takeover
9 September 2010
Indian drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (SUNP: IN) revealed that the Supreme Court of Israel has unanimously dismissed the appeal by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries (Pink Sheets: TAROF) of the previous ruling by the Tel-Aviv District Court holding that the Israeli special tender offer rules do not apply to Sun's subsidiary, Alkaloida Chemical to purchase all outstanding ordinary shares of Taro for $7.75 net per share in cash. The Court also lifted its temporary order that prohibited the closing of the offer prior to its ruling.
Actavis plans to enter biosimilars, opening talks with Poland’s Bioton to buy stake in Biopartners
9 September 2010
Iceland-based generic drugs group Actavis (OMX: ACT) revealed that it has plans to enter into the field of biosimilars, copy versions of biotechnology drugs. As part of this aim, the firm has entered into talks with Poland-based Bioton (WSE: BIO) to acquire 51% of the latter’s holding in Switzerland’s Biopartners.
European generics group calls for workable guidelines for biosimilar MAbs and consistent approach to biosimilars overall
9 September 2010
In his opening address to the eighth European Generic Medicines Association (EGA) International Symposium on Biosimilar Medicines in London, UK, EGA director general Greg Perry praised the European for continuing to inspire the rest of the world regarding the development of scientific biosimilar (copies of genetically-engineered drugs) guidelines.
Global business confidence higher in pharmaceutical sector
9 September 2010
More than half of senior executives (55%) in the pharmaceutical sector are more confident now than at the beginning of the year, according to a new international study of economic recovery conducted by UK-based international law firm Eversheds.
Wyeth/Pfizer accused of using ghostwritten articles to overstate benefits of HRT
9 September 2010
The first academic analysis of the 1,500 documents unsealed in recent litigation against the pharmaceutical giant Wyeth (now part of Pfizer; NYSE: PFE) reveals unprecedented insights into how pharmaceutical companies use ghostwriters to insert marketing messages into articles published in medical journals, according to an article in the journal PLoS Medicine.
China’s liver cancer drug market forecast to nearly triple to $144 million in 2014
9 September 2010
Sales of therapies to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China will nearly triple from $53 million in 2009 to $144 million in 2014. Fueling this growth will be greater access to medical care, a growing drug-treated patient population and a rising number of higher-income HCC patients requesting the more-efficacious and costly Western brands of targeted agents such as German drug major Bayer's Nexavar (sorafenib), according to a new report from advisory firm Decision Resources.
- Ono Pharma buys Japanese rights to two cancer drugs in $340 million deal with Onyx
- GlaxoSmithKline sells Croatian research center to Galapagos, names new CFO and enters supply deal with Lonza; EMEA update on Avandia and Pandemrix
- Wyeth/Pfizer accused of using ghostwritten articles to overstate benefits of HRT
- China’s liver cancer drug market forecast to nearly triple to $144 million in 2014
- International sales rep quality survey views BRIC markets
