http://www.thepharmaletter.comThe Pharma Letter provides subscribers with daily, up-to-date news, business intelligence, comment and analysis for the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Generics sectors of the overall health care industry, backed by a team of respected writers with many years of experience in the field. Register for free for our daily email newsletter and to...Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:04:46 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113359/glaxosmithkline-buys-full-control-of-cellzome.htmlUK pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) has signed an agreement to fully acquire privately held Cambridge based Cellzome for 61 million ($99 million) in cash. GSK already owns a 19.98% equity interest in Cellzome, and the agreement is for the remaining stake.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113359/glaxosmithkline-buys-full-control-of-cellzome.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:55:36 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113358/uks-nice-does-u-turn-recommending-zytiga-as-janssen-cuts-price.htmlUK drugs watch dog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reversed an earlier negative decision (The Pharma Letter February 2), issuing new draft guidance recommending the National Health Service use of Zytiga (abiraterone), from Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) Janssen unit, in combination with prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer that has progressed after one docetaxel-containing therapy.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113358/uks-nice-does-u-turn-recommending-zytiga-as-janssen-cuts-price.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:51:40 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113357/cornerstone-makes-125-million-plus-bid-for-ekr-thera.htmlIn a second acquisition move within a matter of months, USA-based specialty drugmaker Cornerstone Therapeutics has made a takeover bid for EKR Therapeutics, a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the acute-care hospital setting.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113357/cornerstone-makes-125-million-plus-bid-for-ekr-thera.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:47:56 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113356/amylin-said-to-be-attracting-several-big-pharma-suitors.htmlUS biotech firm Amylin Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AMLN), which earlier this year rebuffed a $22 per share takeover offer from US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb that led to blistering criticism from billionaire investor Carl Icahn (The Pharma Letter April 5), is now attracting acquisition interest from a number of leading pharmaceutical companies, according to Bloomberg, citing sources close to the discussions. Amylin's shares gained 6.4% to $27.30 by close of trading yesterday.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113356/amylin-said-to-be-attracting-several-big-pharma-suitors.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:43:04 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113355/call-for-eu-law-change-to-solve-medicines-shortage-crisis.htmlA UK Parliamentary group has warned that patients are suffering because of a shortage of some National Health Service prescription medicines. In its report, the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) said the shortages had been mainly caused by the export of medicines intended for the UK market to other European Union countries. This exporting is conducted by speculators and is legal under EU and UK law, the report noted.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113355/call-for-eu-law-change-to-solve-medicines-shortage-crisis.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:39:03 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113354/biovest-to-file-for-eu-approval-of-biovaxid-a-personalized-cancer-vaccine.htmlUSA-based Biovest International (OTCQB: BVTI), a majority-owned subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals (OTCQB: ABPI), says that it plans to file for marketing approval in the European Union for BiovaxID, its personalized cancer vaccine for the treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an incurable cancer of the immune system.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113354/biovest-to-file-for-eu-approval-of-biovaxid-a-personalized-cancer-vaccine.htmlWed, 16 May 2012 09:34:04 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113325/furiex-pharma-gets-rights-to-priligy-some-of-which-it-sells-on-to-menarini.htmlIn a two part transaction, USA-based Furiex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: FURX) has entered into an agreement with ALZA Corp and Janssen Pharmaceutica (both part of the Johnson & Johnson group; NYSE: JNJ) whereby the companies will transfer worldwide rights for Priligy (dapoxetine) to Furiex. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113325/furiex-pharma-gets-rights-to-priligy-some-of-which-it-sells-on-to-menarini.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 16:29:43 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113324/us-fda-fast-tracks-achillions-hepatitis-c-drug-candidate.htmlUSA-based Achillion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ACHN) says it has received Fast Track designation from the Food and Drug Administration for ACH-3102 as part of an interferon-free regimen for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV).http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113324/us-fda-fast-tracks-achillions-hepatitis-c-drug-candidate.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 16:25:37 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113323/newron-executes-safinamide-deal-with-zambon-new-ph-iii-data-management-changes.htmlIn what was a busy news day for Italian drug developer Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA (SIX: NWRN), the company has updated on its licensing deal with fellow Italy-based Zambon, presented new data on its Parkinson's disease drug candidate safinamide, rights to which had previously been vested in Merck Serono which returned them last year (The Pharma Letters October 24, 2011, and April 9, 2012), and announced the departure of its chief executive.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113323/newron-executes-safinamide-deal-with-zambon-new-ph-iii-data-management-changes.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 16:20:59 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113322/hikma-may-invest-100-million-in-ukrainian-pharma-market.htmlHikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE: HIK), Jordan's largest pharmaceutical company which is listed on the London stock exchange, is considering investing more than $100 million in the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market, according to a report on the Ukrainian TV Channel 5, citing Sergei Pasko, the Ukrainian Ambassador in Jordan, as the source.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113322/hikma-may-invest-100-million-in-ukrainian-pharma-market.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 16:18:08 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113321/vifor-to-distribute-debiopharms-pamorelin-in-switzerland.htmlSwiss independent drug developer Debiopharm) and Switzerland-based Vifor Pharma - part of Galenica (SIX: GALN) - have signed an exclusive agreement covering the distribution and commercialization in Switzerland of the one-, three- and six-month formulations of Pamorelin LA and Salvacyl a three-month formulation of the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist analog triptorelin.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113321/vifor-to-distribute-debiopharms-pamorelin-in-switzerland.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 16:13:00 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113315/merck-kgaa-1st-qtr-2012-sales-rise-but-net-profit-plunges.htmlGerman drug major Merck KGaA (MRK: DE) this morning reported first-quarter 2012 results with 3.2% growth in total revenues to 2.65 million euros ($3.44 billion), driven by its Merck Serono (1.42 billion euros, +5.4%), and Merck Millipore (653 million euros, +7.3%) units, and consumer health (108 million euros, +7.4%). Sales for the Group increased 3.5% to 2.56 billion euros in first quarter compared to 2.48 billion euros in the year-ago quarter. Merck fell shares dipped 0.8% to 77.84 in early trading.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113315/merck-kgaa-1st-qtr-2012-sales-rise-but-net-profit-plunges.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 10:01:45 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113314/lundbeck-and-takeda-to-file-for-lu-aa21004-approval-in-usa-and-europe-on-strong-ph-iii-results.htmlDanish CNS drug specialist Lundbeck AS (LUND: DC) yesterday announced positive top-line results from three recently completed Phase III clinical studies of Lu AA21004, an investigational drug for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) using dosages from 10mg to 20mg.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113314/lundbeck-and-takeda-to-file-for-lu-aa21004-approval-in-usa-and-europe-on-strong-ph-iii-results.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 09:57:26 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113313/additional-investment-in-new-zealand-health-welcomed-by-pharma-trade-group.htmlNew Zealand Prime Minister John Key yesterday announced a number of new initiatives which came to an investment of NZ$101 million ($79.5 million) over four years which will be largely funded by an increase in prescription charges and other savings within the health sector.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113313/additional-investment-in-new-zealand-health-welcomed-by-pharma-trade-group.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 09:53:03 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113312/takeda-posts-downturn-in-sales-for-fy-2012-forecasts-operating-profit-slump.htmlJapan's largest drugmaker, Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) posted disappointing results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, with a 0.9% decline in revenues to 834.71 billion yen ($10,45 billion) and operating profit falling 2% to 178.81 billion yen. However, current profit leapt 132.9% to 451.68 billion yen and net income rocketed 174.2% to 372.52 yen, or 471.86 yen per share.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113312/takeda-posts-downturn-in-sales-for-fy-2012-forecasts-operating-profit-slump.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 09:49:49 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113311/polymedix-stops-trials-of-anticoagulant-pmx-60056-on-safety-concerns.htmlUS biotech firm PolyMedix (OTCBB: PYMX) has issued an update on its anticoagulant reversing agent PMX-60056, saying it has stopped enrollment in two clinical trials for the compound, news which saw the company's shares plunge 39% to $0.36.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113311/polymedix-stops-trials-of-anticoagulant-pmx-60056-on-safety-concerns.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 09:45:03 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113293/study-shows-benefit-of-new-maintenance-therapy-for-multiple-myeloma.htmlMultiple myeloma is a form of cancer where the plasma cells in the bone marrow grow out of control, causing damage to bones as well as predisposing patients to anemia, infection and kidney failure. A medical procedure called autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, commonly known as a stem cell transplant, is frequently an important treatment option for many patients.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113293/study-shows-benefit-of-new-maintenance-therapy-for-multiple-myeloma.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 17:01:51 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113292/potential-treatment-for-painful-side-effect-of-diabetes-unveiled-by-uk-researchers.htmlAn international team of scientists say that they have a deeper understanding of why diabetics suffer from increased pain and temperature sensitivity, which may lead to new treatment for those side effects of diabetes. Their report appeared in the journal Nature Medicine, May 13.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113292/potential-treatment-for-painful-side-effect-of-diabetes-unveiled-by-uk-researchers.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 16:58:10 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113291/urgent-need-for-enhanced-thrombosis-products-in-europe-says-fs.htmlThe increasing incidence of thrombosis, paralleled by the maturing life cycles of existing products, are motivating the need for novel alternatives. Establishing end-user confidence and ensuring cost-effectiveness pose significant challenges to market advancement, notes market research firm Frost & Sullivan.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113291/urgent-need-for-enhanced-thrombosis-products-in-europe-says-fs.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 16:54:08 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113290/expropriation-in-the-hungarian-pharmacy-sector-reviewed.htmlThe change of regime in Hungary in 1989 brought the much expected changes in the field of the retail market of medicines quite soon. Beside the rapid privatization of the pharmacies being in the hands of the state sector till then, a lot of new pharmacies were opened nationwide within the frames of green and brown-field projects for a few years, according to a report on europe-health-care.eu written by Levente Harmatha and Frederik Roeder.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113290/expropriation-in-the-hungarian-pharmacy-sector-reviewed.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 16:50:02 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113287/new-margins-for-pharma-success-in-an-emerging-world.htmlThe future of the established pharma lies in the emerging and growth markets but it's not the profits from these regions that will make the difference. Nick Stephens, chief executive of RSA, a global life sciences executive search and interim management specialist, argues that it is emerging lessons that will help to maintain margins in the developed world.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113287/new-margins-for-pharma-success-in-an-emerging-world.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 15:27:26 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113286/fda-advisory-thumbs-up-for-gileads-once-daily-quad-for-hiv.htmlThere was more good news for Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), the world's largest maker of HIV drugs, when the company said that the US Food and Drug Administration's Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee on Friday voted 13 to one to support approval of its Quad, a complete single tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-naive adults. Gilead's shares closed up 1.2% at $51.84 after the committee voted.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113286/fda-advisory-thumbs-up-for-gileads-once-daily-quad-for-hiv.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 09:29:41 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113285/cell-therapeutics-pixuvri-cleared-in-eu-for-nhl.htmlUS biotech firm Cell Therapeutics (Nasdaq and MTA: CTIC) last week received conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission for Pixuvri (pixantrone) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas (NHL). Pixuvri is the first approved treatment in the European Union in this patient setting.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113285/cell-therapeutics-pixuvri-cleared-in-eu-for-nhl.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 09:23:41 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113284/dr-reddys-sees-fy201112-sales-rise-30.htmlIndia's second-largest drugmaker, Dr Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE: RDY) posted full year ended March 31, 2012 financial results, with consolidated sales up 96.7 billion rupees ($1.8 billion at current exchange rates but over $2 billion at average rates for the reporting year), a rise of 30% on the previous fiscal year, driven by its key markets of North America and Russia in the global generics segment and Pharmaceutical Services and active ingredients segment.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113284/dr-reddys-sees-fy201112-sales-rise-30.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 09:19:23 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113283/mylan-starts-selling-generic-lipitor-in-europe-to-buy-back-shares.htmlUS generic drug major Mylan's (Nasdaq: MYL) shares 2.2% to $21.55 in morning last Friday after the company revealed that it has launched a copy version of Pfizer's all-time blockbuster cholesterol lowerer Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg in France, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113283/mylan-starts-selling-generic-lipitor-in-europe-to-buy-back-shares.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 09:14:43 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113282/uks-proximagen-boosted-by-us-lorcaserin-news-with-respect-to-its-own-obesity-drug-candidate.htmlUK-based biotechnology firm Proximagen (AIM: PRX) saw its shares leap 20.1% to 257.5 pence, on the back of good news for US firm Arena Pharmaceuticals in relation to a US Food and Drug Administration advisory panel backing for an obesity drug candidate (The Pharma Letter May 11), which could be the first new weight-loss drug to be cleared by the US regulator in more than a decade.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113282/uks-proximagen-boosted-by-us-lorcaserin-news-with-respect-to-its-own-obesity-drug-candidate.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 09:09:11 +0100http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113261/takedas-vedolizumab-meets-primary-endpoints-in-ph-iii-crohns-disease-study.htmlJapan's largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) has reported positive top-line results from the international, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind GEMINI II pivotal Phase III trial with its Crohn's disease drug candidate vedolizumab.http://www.thepharmaletter.com/file/113261/takedas-vedolizumab-meets-primary-endpoints-in-ph-iii-crohns-disease-study.htmlSun, 13 May 2012 16:09:03 +0100