Drugs.com - Pharma News

ratiopharm Canada wins important patent legal battle with Pfizer

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:10:46 GMT

Decision could potentially lead to millions in savings for Canadians MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 9 /CNW/ - ratiopharm Canada is pleased to announce that it has won a five-year legal battle against Pfizer to allow the marketing of Amlodipine Besylate...

Pfizer To Appeal Canadian Federal Court Decision On Company's Norvasc Patent

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:10:14 GMT

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 9, 2009 - Pfizer Inc said today that it is disappointed by the Canadian Federal Court's decision declaring invalid its patent covering amlodipine besylate, the active ingredient in Norvasc®, and that the company...

MAP Pharmaceuticals Announces Termination of Pediatric Asthma Collaboration

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:16:45 GMT

Company to Suspend Development of UDB - MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAPP) today announced that it has received a notice of termination of the license agreement with...

WHO Grants Prequalification to Cervarix

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:42:13 GMT

-- GSK’s vaccine to help combat cervical cancer in developing nations LONDON,9 July 2009 --The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline’s cervical cancer vaccine. The WHO decision is...

NICE Upholds GSK Appeal for Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment, Tyverb (lapatinib)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:17:52 GMT

- NICE will reconsider the evidence supporting lapatinib LONDON, July 9, 2009--The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) today announced that, following GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) appeal, it will reconsider...

New Senate Biosimilars Proposal Would Jeopardize New Medical Advancements and Cures

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:02:22 GMT

WASHINGTON, July 08, 2009 - The following statement was issued today by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) regarding a proposal to establish a pathway for regulatory approval of biosimilars reportedly under consideration in the...

EU: Antitrust: Shortcomings in Pharmaceutical Sector Require Further Action

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:40:52 GMT

BRUSSELS, July 8, 2009--Market entry of generic drugs is delayed and there is a decline in the number of novel medicines reaching the market, according to the European Commission's final report on competition in the pharmaceutical sector. The sector...

ICON Acquires Veeda Laboratories Limited

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:01:18 GMT

Expands ICON's Biomarker and Immunoassay Capabilities in Europe DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 9, 2009 - ICON plc, (NASDAQ:ICLR) (ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical...

Japanese Ministry of Health approves Rasilez, a first-in-class direct renin inhibitor (DRI), for the treatment of high blood pressure

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:57:32 GMT

• Rasilez provides significant blood pressure reductions that last for 24 hours 1,2, when taken alone or in combination with other antihypertensives3-6 • An estimated 40 million people in Japan, nearly a third of the population, have high...

12th Annual Survey on Consumer Reaction to DTC Advertising of Prescription Drugs Reveals: Nearly 50% of Online Consumers Report Health Videos a Top Resource

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:22:02 GMT

55% Also Searched User Generated Content Websites For Health-Related Info Consumers May Be Looking for Ways to Reduce Spending in Ailing Economy: Many Switched to a Generic Prescription or OTC Medicine (32%), Canceled or Delayed a Doctor’s...

Sermo Survey of US Physicians Indicates AMA No Longer Represents Them

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:25:38 GMT

Results Call for General Public and Legislators to Access Voice of Physicians Through Emerging Channels CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 8, 2009 - Sermo (http://www.sermo.com), the world's largest online physician's community, today...

Verilogue Study of More Than 20,000 Real-Life Patient-Physician Interactions Reveals Patients' Top Health-Related Fears

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:55:27 GMT

New Verilogue Point-of-Practice Report Finds One in Four Doctor's Visits Include Fear Discussions; Uncovers Variations in Physician Response HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 8, 2009 - Issues such as swine flu, peanut butter and cookie batter...

Biogen Idec Receives Fast Track Designation from FDA for PEGylated Interferon Beta-1a for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:48:07 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 8, 2009 - Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted PEGylated interferon beta-1a (BIIB017) Fast Track designation for relapsing multiple...

NexMed Announces Decision for Anti-Fungal Product

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:05:08 GMT

Management to Hold Conference Call Wednesday July 8, 2009 at 9:00AM EDT EAST WINDSOR, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 7, 2009 - NexMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXM), a developer of products based on the NexACT® technology, today announced the mutual decision...

Teva Provides Update on Generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:35:28 GMT

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 7, 2009 - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that further to its press release dated July 1, 2009, Teva and Ortho McNeil Janssen have agreed to cease shipments of generic versions of...

Thallion Suspends Patient Enrollment of TLN-232 Metastatic Melanoma Trial Over Licensing Dispute

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:24:49 GMT

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(July 7, 2009) - Thallion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX:TLN) today announced that it has suspended patient enrollment in its Phase II trial evaluating TLN-232 as a treatment for metastatic melanoma, due to an ongoing dispute with the...

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. Announces an Indefinite Reduction in its Workforce

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:21:06 GMT

DETROIT, July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. (NYSE Amex: CPD), announced today that it is in the process of instituting an indefinite reduction in its workforce of approximately 350 employees in order to align...

European Prices of 170 Best-Selling Drugs Averaged 40 Percent Less Than U.S. Prices in 2008

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:45:05 GMT

Pharma and Payers Need to be Aware of Enormous Price Variations by Therapeutic Area and Drug Type from One Country to Another 2009 Chartbook of International Pharmaceutical Prices Now Available from Decision Resources WALTHAM, Mass., July 7...

SDI Reports: Sanofi-aventis U.S. Joins Ranks of Merck and GlaxoSmithKline as Three Companies Most Respected by Pediatricians, According to SDI Pharmaceutical Company Image Study

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:20:12 GMT

Pediatricians Credit Company for Its Vaccine, Immunization Support and Increased Communications PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 7, 2009 - Sanofi-aventis U.S. was named the third-most respected pharmaceutical company by pediatricians who...

Grassley Asks Top Medical Journals About Ghostwriting

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 --Senator Chuck Grassley has asked eight leading medical journals to describe their policies and practices regarding ghostwriting. Grassley said his inquiry is part of his broader effort to establish transparency with regard...

Novo Nordisk's Victoza (liraglutide) Receives Marketing Authorisation in Europe (3 July 2009)

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:10:38 GMT

Bagsværd, Denmark, July 3, 2009--Novo Nordisk announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Victoza® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. The authorisation covers all 27 European Union...

Cougar Biotechnology Announces Successful Completion of Johnson & Johnson's Initial Tender Offer and Commencement of Subsequent Offering Period

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:24:31 GMT

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 3, 2009 - Cougar Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGRB) announced today that the initial offering period of Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) tender offer for all the outstanding shares of Cougar common stock expired...

Alcon Discontinues Development of Anecortave Acetate for Intraocular Pressure Reduction

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:45:19 GMT

HUENENBERG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 2, 2009 - Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) announced today that it has discontinued development of anecortave acetate for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with glaucoma. The company recently...

GSK Further Extends its Product Portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:30:05 GMT

LONDON, July 2, 2009--GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) today announced that it has acquired the branded generics business of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Yemen for a cash consideration of $23.2m (£14.2m). The...

Current Status of the Development Programs of New Indications and Formulations for Aricept for Enhancing Patient Value

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:46:44 GMT

TOKYO and WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, President & CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") and Eisai Corporation of North America (Headquarters: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Chairman and CEO Hajime Shimizu) are...

Johnson & Johnson and Elan Corporation plc Announce Definitive Agreement for Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program and Equity Investment

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:38:57 GMT

First-in-Class Alzheimer's Treatments Expand Existing J&J Neuroscience Pipeline Johnson & Johnson Equity Investment Provides Financial Flexibility for Elan NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. and DUBLIN, July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Johnson &...

Bayer Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Teva

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:29:28 GMT

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, July 1, 2009 - Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. together with Schering Corporation have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. Federal Court in the District of Delaware against...

Charles River Announces RMS Succession Plan and Organizational Enhancements

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:12:47 GMT

- Real H. Renaud to Retire by End of 2010 – - Dr. Davide Molho Promoted to Corporate Senior Vice President – - Restructures Preclinical Services Business and Realigns Global Sales Organization – WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS...

Pfizer Updates Chantix (varenicline) Labeling in the United States

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:48:32 GMT

Provides Specific Instruction to Physicians and Patients About Quitting Smoking with CHANTIX NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 1, 2009 - Pfizer Inc announced that it has updated the U.S. product labeling for CHANTIX® (varenicline), a prescription aid...

Roche Launches Novel Program to Ease Tamiflu Access to Developing Economies

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:52:41 GMT

Tamiflu Reserves Program designed as a pandemic insurance policy for the world’s developing economies BASEL, Switzerland, 1 July 2009-- Roche today announced the initiation of the Tamiflu Reserves Program (TRP) for developing economies. The...

Eisai and Pfizer Decide not to Appeal NICE Decision and Call for an Expedited Review of Guidance for Alzheimer's Disease

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:52:16 GMT

- NICE Commit to Reviewing Existing Guidance 'As Soon As Possible' LONDON, July 1/PRNewswire/ -- On June 11, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced that, following consultation with stakeholders on the economic...

Iressa (Gefitinib) Receives Marketing Authorisation for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Europe

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:11:01 GMT

LONDON, July 1, 2009--AstraZeneca announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for the oral anti-cancer drug, IRESSA for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer...

CombinatoRx and Neuromed Sign Merger Agreement

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:56:53 GMT

-- Merger to Create a Sustainable Biotechnology Company: Brings Together Significant Product Assets, Unique Discovery Capabilities and Financial Resources – - Conference Call Scheduled for Today at 8:30am ET - CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & VANCOUVER,...

Maxygen Announces Joint Venture with Astellas to Develop Protein Pharmaceuticals

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:42:14 GMT

-Maxygen to Contribute R&D Operations and Assets to Newly-Formed Joint Venture- -Astellas to be Granted 3-Year Option to Acquire Joint Venture- -Maxygen Plans Strategic Restructuring of Remaining Operations- -Maxygen to Host Conference Call on...

Biogen Idec and Acorda Therapeutics Announce Collaboration Agreement to Develop and Commercialize MS Therapy Fampridine-SR in Markets Outside the U.S.

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:06:49 GMT

Acorda to Continue to Develop and Commercialize Fampridine-SR in the U.S. Upfront Payment of $110 Million; Potential Deal Value Over $500 Million Acorda to Host Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time Today CAMBRIDGE, Ma. & HAWTHORNE,...

Pfizer Discontinues Phase 3 Trial of Sutent® in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:30:26 GMT

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 30, 2009 - Pfizer Inc announced today the discontinuation of the SUN 1122 Phase 3 trial that evaluated Sutent® (sunitinib malate) plus FOLFIRI (irinotecan plus infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin) versus...

Collegium Pharmaceutical Announces the Sale of AllerNaze to Lupin

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:51:52 GMT

CUMBERLAND, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 30, 2009 - Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that Lupin has acquired all worldwide rights to AllerNaze™ (triamcinolone acetonide, USP) Nasal Spray, 50...

UCB (BE) - UCB and Biogen Idec Discontinue Phase II Clinical Trial of CDP323

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:20:07 GMT

Preliminary interim efficacy analysis showed no clinically relevant benefit for patients BRUSSELS (Belgium), 30 June 2009 at 10:30 pm CEST - press release, regulated information - UCB and Biogen Idec announced today the discontinuation of the Phase...

BioSante Pharmaceuticals and Cell Genesys Sign Definitive Merger Agreement

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:40:13 GMT

Merged Company Will Focus on LibiGel® in Phase III Clinical Studies for Female Sexual Dysfunction and Seek Future Opportunities for GVAX Immunotherapies LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 30, 2009 -...

Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. Awarded $1.67 Billion Patent Jury Verdict from Abbott Laboratories

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:05:41 GMT

Horsham, PA (June 29, 2009) – Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. announced today that a federal jury has returned a verdict of $1.67 billion against Abbott Laboratories in a patent infringement suit. “We are pleased that the jury has ruled in...