Drugs.com - Pharma News

Getting Shingles Vaccine Easier

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:14:54 GMT

Getting Shingles Vaccine Easier [The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio] From Columbus Dispatch (OH) (February 8, 2010) Feb. 8--In theory, people should have scrambled to get the shingles vaccine. The disease is notoriously painful and quite...

Pfizer To Sell Viagra In Israel Via Internet

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:54:05 GMT

Pfizer To Sell Viagra In Israel Via Internet: This Will Be The First Time A Prescription Drug Is sold on the Internet in Israel, in what the company says is an anti-counterfeiting move. [Globes, Tel Aviv, Israel] From Globes (Tel Aviv)...

Novavax Terminates Negotiations with ROVI Pharmaceuticals for Influenza Vaccine Collaboration

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:36:37 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) announced today that the company has decided to discontinue negotiations in its pursuit of the previously announced collaboration with ROVI Pharmaceuticals (Madrid: ROVI)...

FDA Drug Safety Communication: Risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) with the use of Tysabri (natalizumab)

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:48:21 GMT

Safety Announcement Additional Information for Patients Additional Information for Healthcare Professionals Data Summary Safety Announcement [02-05-2010] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public that...

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Stop All Non-Mandated Salary Raises in 2010 to Cut Costs

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:20:59 GMT

From Canadian Press DataFile (February 5, 2010) NEW YORK -- Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. says it is freezing employee salaries for 2010 as it cuts spending and prepares for a drop in sales of its blockbuster blood thinner Plavix. The New...

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Stop All Non-Mandated Salary Raises in 2010 to Cut Costs

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:20:30 GMT

FDA Warns of Brain Risks with Frequent Tysabri Use

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:20:30 GMT

From Associated Press (February 5, 2010) WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials warned doctors Friday that the risk of a deadly brain inflammation linked to the multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri increases with use of the drug. Tysabri has...

Even if You're Careful, Drugs Can End up in Water

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:34 GMT

PORTLAND, Maine - February 7, 2010 -- The federal government advises throwing most unused or expired medications into the trash instead of down the drain, but they can end up in the water anyway, a study from Maine suggests. Tiny amounts of...

Mississippi AG: Zyprexa Settlement to Offset Budget Cut

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:51:07 GMT

AG: Spend Settlement To Offset Cut [Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, Miss.] From Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo) (February 5, 2010) Feb. 5--JACKSON -- Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday he hopes the Legislature will...

Diabetes Killed J&J Heiress

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:35:45 GMT

Diabetes Killed Socialite Casey Johnson From UPI Entertainment News (February 4, 2010) The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Thursday socialite Casey Johnson's death was natural and caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. The Johnson &...

Biomarin To Buy LEAD For $97M, Gives 2010 Outlook

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:19:41 GMT

From Associated Press (February 5, 2010) NOVATO, Calif. -- Enzyme drug maker BioMarin Pharmaceutical said Friday it is buying LEAD Therapeutics, a company testing a drug treatment for rare cancers, in a deal worth up to $97 million. BioMarin...

Glaxo Savings Plan May Hit Xenoport Partnership

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:00:51 GMT

From Associated Press (February 4, 2010) SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The future of a partnership between XenoPort Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC appeared to be in doubt Thursday after Glaxo said it may end research on pain treatments. GlaxoSmithKline,...

Teva Pharma Settles Some Medicaid Drug Price Suits

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:50:04 GMT

From Associated Press (February 5, 2010) NEW YORK -- Teva Pharmaceutical, the world's largest generic drugmaker, says it is settling several lawsuits related to Medicaid reimbursement for its products, and is setting aside $315 million to cover the...

Alkermes Reports 3Q Loss, Smaller Than Expected

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:24:01 GMT

From Associated Press (February 4, 2010) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Biotech drug developer Alkermes Inc. on Thursday reported a fiscal 2010 third-quarter loss on lower revenue, but the results topped Wall Street expectations. Alkermes said it lost $6.8...

Seniors Aren't Getting Vital Vaccinations, Study Finds

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:23:46 GMT

WASHINGTON, February 4, 2010 -- States require that children have all their immunizations before they can enroll in school. Veterinarians send reminder cards to pet owners when Fido or Tabby is due for a shot. No such safety net exists for...

Miss. Settles Zyprexa Suit For More Than $18 Million

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:07:22 GMT

From Associated Press (February 4, 2010) JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi will receive $18.5 million from drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. as part of a settlement over claims the company promoted the anti-psychotic Zyprexa for ailments it was...

GlaxoSmithKline Q4 Profit Up 66 Pct

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:38:52 GMT

From Associated Press (February 4, 2010) LONDON--GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the world's second largest drug maker by revenue, reported Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit soared by 66 percent, boosted by strong sales of swine flu vaccine and flu...

GSK launches new specialist unit to research and develop medicines for rare diseases

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:49:53 GMT

LONDON, 4 February 2010 - GSK today announces the formation of a new standalone unit specialising in the development and commercialisation of medicines for rare diseases. Over 5,500 rare diseases have been identified1 of which less than 10% are...

Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Management Changes and Reduction in Force

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:49:22 GMT

Ronald A. Martell Named Chief Executive Officer Michael S. Perry, DVM, Ph.D., Named President and Chief Medical Officer SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PARD) , a biopharmaceutical...

GSK announces appointment of Philippe Fauchet as President of GSK Japan

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:49:11 GMT

LONDON, 4 February 2010 - GSK today announces the appointment of Philippe Fauchet as President of GSK Japan. Philippe will report to Marc Dunoyer, who takes the new role as Chairman of GSK Japan. Marc will continue to take...

FDA Sends Letter to Novalar Regarding Promotions for OraVerse

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:33:28 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 2, 2010 - The FDA today posted on its website a letter sent to Novalar Pharmaceuticals regarding a patient brochure for OraVerse injection. The letter is below. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public...

FDA Sends Letter to Sanofi Aventis Regarding Promotion for BenzaClin

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:33:26 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 2, 2010 - The FDA today posted on its website a letter sent to Sanofi Aventis regarding a patient brochure for acne medication BenzaClin. The letter is below. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health...

FDA Sends Letter to Meda Regarding Promotions for Astelin

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:27:15 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 2, 2010 - The FDA today posted on its website a letter sent to Meda Pharmaceuticals regarding a waiting room sign promoting allergy medication Astelin. The letter is below. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN...

FDA Sends Letter to Eli Lilly Regarding Promotions for Adcirca

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:13:30 GMT

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 2, 2010 - The FDA today posted on its website a letter sent to Eli Lilly & Co. regarding a web page and two patient videos for PAH drug Adcirca. The letter is below. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN...

Drugmaker Employee in NY Charged with Trade Theft

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:10:14 GMT

From Associated Press (February 4, 2010) SYRACUSE, N.Y.--A fired Bristol-Myers-Squibb Co. employee stole trade secrets from the drugmaker in a plot to launch his own pharmaceutical business in his native India, a federal prosecutor said...

Genzyme Names Global Manufacturing President

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:06:44 GMT

From Associated Press (February 3, 2010) CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Biotechnology company Genzyme Corp. said Wednesday it named Scott Canute president of global manufacturing and corporate operations. Canute previously lead manufacturing at Eli Lilly &...

Biomedical Jobs Appear to Be 'Recession Resilient'

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:21:31 GMT

Biomedical Jobs Appear to Be 'Recession Resilient' [The San Diego Union-Tribune] From San Diego Union-Tribune (CA) (February 3, 2010) Feb. 3--Employment in California’s biomedical industry has remained fairly stable through the recession,...

Glaxo CEO: Time To Diversify, Help Poor Countries

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:43:45 GMT

From Associated Press (February 2, 2010) NEW YORK--Andrew Witty, who took over as GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s chief executive in May 2008, has been remaking the company from a pure pharmaceutical business to a diverse healthcare conglomerate, a...

FDA Oks Dupuytren's Contracture Drug

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:31:02 GMT

From UPI Science News (February 3, 2010) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved the first drug designed to treat a progressive hand disease known as Dupuytren’s contracture. The FDA said Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium...

Pfizer Posts Big Jump In 4Q Sales, Profit

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:30:52 GMT

From Associated Press (February 3, 2010) TRENTON, New Jersey--Pfizer Inc., fresh from buying fellow drug maker Wyeth and already deep into integrating its operations, on Wednesday posted a 34 percent jump in revenue, but about $3.2 billion in...

Labopharm Gets FDA Approval for Once-a-Day Oleptro

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:30:50 GMT

From Associated Press (February 3, 2010) NEW YORK--Labopharm Inc. said Wednesday it received marketing approval for its antidepressant Oleptro, a once-per-day version of a depression drug that is usually given twice a day. The Canadian drugmaker...

Podcast Series From Med Ad News Magazine Tackles Important Healthcare Communications Issues

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:56:18 GMT

NEWTOWN, Pa., February 3, 2010 — Canon Communications has announced the release of the premiere episode of The Med Ad News Show, a new Podcast series produced by the editors of Med Ad News magazine. Hosted by Med Ad News editors Steve Niles...

Pfizer Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Results; Provides 2010 Financial Guidance and 2012 Financial Targets

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:58:08 GMT

Fourth-Quarter 2009 Revenues of $16.5 Billion; Full-Year 2009 Revenues of $50.0 Billion Fourth-Quarter 2009 Reported Diluted EPS(1) of $0.10, Adjusted Diluted EPS(2) of $0.49; Full-Year 2009 Reported Diluted EPS(1) of $1.23, Adjusted Diluted EPS(2)...

Roche FY Net Profit Down 22 Percent on Genentech Costs

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:44:06 GMT

Roche FY Net Profit Down 22 Percent on Genentech Costs From Associated Press (February 3, 2010) GENEVA--Drug maker Roche Holding AG on Wednesday reported a 22 percent drop in full-year net profit to 8.51 billion Swiss francs ($8.06 billion),...

Evotec And Vifor Pharma Enter Into Two Year Cooperation Agreement

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:40:34 GMT

From EquityBites (February 2, 2010) Discoverer and developer of small molecule drugs Evotec AG (Frankfurt: EVT) (TecDAX) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Vifor Pharma, a pharmaceutical company. Under the terms of the agreement,...

Onyx Names New Head Of R&D

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:32:01 GMT

Onyx Names Ted Love Head Of R&D From M2 Europharma (February 2, 2010) 2 February 2010 - US biopharmaceutical company Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ONXX) said yesterday it has named Ted Love executive vice president and head of Research and...

GSK Could Cut Thousands More

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:56:04 GMT

GSK Could Cut Thousands More [The News And Observer, Raleigh, N.C.] From News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) (February 2, 2010) Feb. 2--Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, which has cut hundreds of Triangle jobs in the past two years, will announce another...

Abbott, Pierre Fabre Ink Licensing Deal for Cancer Treatment

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:45:31 GMT

From M2 Europharma (February 2, 2010) 2 February 2010 - US Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) said yesterday it has inked an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with French Pierre Fabre SA to develop and commercialise h224G11, a pre-clinical...

First Treatment To Improve Survival In 20 Years Now Available For Patients With Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:44:01 GMT

Osaka, Japan and London, UK, February 1 - Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited (“TPEU”), its wholly owned subsidiary for oversight of pan-European sales and marketing,...

Abbott and Pierre Fabre SA Announce Collaboration to Research and Develop Novel Treatments for Cancer

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:30:32 GMT

Monoclonal Antibody Adds Early-Stage Biologic to Abbott's Oncology Pipeline Abbott Park, Illinois (NYSE: ABT) and Castres, France February 1, 2010— Abbott announced today an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pierre Fabre SA to...