Pharmaceutical Industry News Archive
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News Archive for February 2009
February 2, 2009
- Pfizer Discontinues Global Phase III Trial of Axitinib for Futility in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
- Aastrom Phase II IMPACT-DCM Trial Placed On Clinical Hold Pending Review of Isolated Serious Adverse Event
- Federal Trade Commission Files Complaint Against Par Pharmaceutical Over Court-Approved AndroGel Litigation Settlement
- Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals Announces Cost-Cutting Measures to Focus Resources on Advancement of Ongoing Clinical Development Programs
February 3, 2009
- Schering-Plough Reports Financial Results for 2008 Fourth Quarter, Full Year
- Merck Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2008 Financial Results
- King Pharmaceuticals Announces Corporate Restructuring to Reduce Operating Expenses
- PharmaNet Development Group Agrees to be Acquired by JLL Partners
- Astellas Announces Global Development Organizational Changes
February 4, 2009
- Allergan Reports Fourth Quarter 2008 Operating Results and Announces Restructuring
- Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review Xigris (Drotrecogin alfa [activated])
- What's the ideal relationship between the drug industry, health professionals and patients?
- Sens. Kohl, Grassley Introduce Bill to Stop Industry 'Payoffs' That Delay Generic Drugs
- University of Maryland School of Medicine and Medical Center Implement New Policies Governing Physician/Industry Relationships
- Strong operating results for Roche in 2008
February 5, 2009
- GSK Delivers EPS of 104.7p Before Major Restructuring
- Breast Cancer Risk Rapidly Declines After Women Stop Taking Postmenopausal Combined Hormone Therapy
February 6, 2009
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Transition in Company Leadership
- Idenix Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline Sign Worldwide License Agreement for IDX899 for HIV
- Biogen Idec Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2008 Results
- Biogen Idec Receives Shareholder Proposal
- Avigen Board Rejects BVF Offer as Inadequate
- Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. Announces FDA Filings for Paliperidone Palmitate and Invega
- Abbott Acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics Clears U.S. Antitrust Review
- Future Pharmaceutical Innovation Requires Patients to be Placed Right at the Centre
- Schering Plough Invests $30 Million in Scottish Facility
- Taro Receives FDA Warning Letter Following Inspection of Its Canadian Manufacturing Facility
- Sudler & Hennessey Expands Montreal Presence
February 9, 2009
- H. Lundbeck A/S (DK) - Lundbeck to acquire US-based Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- KV Pharmaceutical Company Reduces Workforce
- Dynavax Announces Receipt of Communication from the U.S. FDA on HEPLISAV Hepatitis B Vaccine
- GTCR Announces Agreement to Sell Ovation Pharmaceuticals
- Mass. AG Martha Coakley Enters Agreement with Bayer Corporation Resolving Allegations of Deceptive Advertising of Oral Contraceptive
February 10, 2009
- FDA to Meet with Drug Companies about REMS for Certain Opioid Drugs
- Pfizer to Publicly Disclose Payments to U.S. Physicians, Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Investigators
- Genentech Urges Shareholders to Take No Action With Respect to Unsolicited Tender Offer From Roche
- Roche Commences Tender Offer for Genentech for US$86.50 Per Share in Cash
- New Guidelines for Prescribing Opioid Pain Drugs Published
- FDA to Meet with Drug Companies about REMS for Certain Opioid Drugs
- Enzon Discontinues Further Development of rhMBL
- SK&A Study: More Docs Limit Sales Rep Access
- Significant Shareholder Calls upon Enzon to Immediately Add Two Candidates to the Board of Directors
February 11, 2009
- FDA and International Serious Adverse Events Consortium Release First Data on Genetic Basis of Adverse Drug Events
- FDA Issues Complete Response Letter for Risperdal Consta for the Adjunctive Maintenance Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
- FDA and Kaplan EduNeering expand alliance
- Sanofi-aventis Delivers 2008 Results Above Guidance
- Strong Fourth Quarter for Genzyme Concludes Productive Year
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Statement on Mead Johnson Nutrition Company IPO
February 12, 2009
- Bayer Schering Pharma to Invest 100 Million Euro in China to Build a Global R&D Center
- Merck & Co., Inc. Acquires Biologic Manufacturing Capabilities and Developmental Follow-on Biologics Portfolio from Insmed
- Pharmalive.com Launches Medical Device Industry Report
- Portola Pharmaceuticals Enters Worldwide License Agreement for Development and Commercialization of Novel Antiplatelet Drug Elinogrel
- Telik Implements Reorganization to Focus Resources Toward Drug Development Pipeline
- Oscient Pharmaceuticals Restructures Commercial Organization
February 13, 2009
- Sandoz Receives European Commission Approval For Biosimilar Filgrastim
- Haemacure Restructures - Seeks Financing or Sale of the Company
- Clinicians Using Electronic Prescribing Override Most Medication Safety Alerts
- Spending for Prescription Pain Medicines Has Tripled in 10 Years
- Novogen to Focus on Oncology Program
- ViroPharma Announces Discontinuation of Maribavir Phase 3 Study in Liver Transplant Patients
February 17, 2009
- FDA Approves ULORIC (febuxostat) for the Chronic Management of Hyperuricemia in Patients with Gout
- Hospira Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2008 Results
- Teva Reports Record Full Year 2008 and Fourth Quarter Results
- Synta Earns $10 Million from GlaxoSmithKline for Achieving Elesclomol Milestone
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd Withdraws Its Marketing Authorisation Application For Vorinostat MSD (Vorinostat)
- Doctors' Resources for Off-Label Prescribing May Be Incomplete, Unclear
- Teva Provides 2009 Financial Outlook
February 18, 2009
- CSL Limited announce Half-Year Results for 2008/09
- Merck KGaA: 2008 Operating Result Rises 16% to € 1,131 Million
- Type of Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication May be Associated With Increased Risk for Shingles
- GPC Biotech and Agennix Announce Proposed Merger
- Cipher receives tentative FDA approval for extended-release tramadol capsules
- Jury Finds Pharmacia Committed Fraud On Wisconsin Medicaid Program; Van Hollen’s Department Of Justice Wins State $9 Million
February 19, 2009
- Shire Delivers Excellent Growth for the Year, with the New Product Portfolio Achieving Sales of $1 Billion
- Solvay: 2008 Operating Result (EUR 965 Million) Down By 19% Compared To The Record Result of 2007
- Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Launches Diabetes-Focused YouTube Channel
- European Commisssion Grants Ferring Pharmaceuticals Approval of Firmagon (Degarelix) for Treatment of Prostate Cancer
- European Medicines Agency Recommends Suspension of Marketing Authorization for Raptiva
- FDA Public Health Advisory: Updated Safety Information about Raptiva (efalizumab)
- United States Joins Suits Against Scios and Johnson & Johnson
- European Medicines Agency recommends continued vaccination with Gardasil
- European Medicines Agency recommends new contraindication and warning for Rasilez and other aliskiren medicines
- Dallas Scientists Discover Statins May Falsely Indicate Thyroid Problems
- La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company Announces Reduction in Workforce and Evaluates Strategic Options
February 20, 2009
- CV Therapeutics Reports 2008 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results
- CV Therapeutics' Board of Directors Rejects Astellas Unsolicited Proposal
- Schering-Plough Submits Response to FDA for SAPHRIS (asenapine) in the Acute Treatment of Both Schizophrenia and Bipolar I Disorder
- UCB (BE) - UCB to Divest Equasym
- Shire to Enter European ADHD Market With the Acquisition of Equasym IR and XL
- Questions of Ethics and Quality Cloud Globalization of Clinical Trials
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairmen Waxman and Stupak Request Study Data for Vytorin
- Daiichi Sankyo Notice on Organizational Restructuring as of April 1, 2009
- Discontinuation of Development of TAK-242 for Severe Sepsis
- Shire Announces Opening of Office in Japan
- Neuralstem's ALS Trial on Clinical Hold
February 23, 2009
- Abbott Receives European Commission Clearance on Acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics
- Astellas Pharma Issues Statement Regarding CV Therapeutics Rejection of All-Cash Proposal
- European Commission Approves EFIENT (prasugrel) for Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing PCI
- AstraZeneca Announces SEROQUEL XR is Now Available to Treat Bipolar Depression
- Patient Knowledge of Health Information Influences Cancer Treatment
- Two FDA Quality Systems Compliance Resources Published
- MedWatch - Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran, and generics) Can Cause Metabolic Acidosis in Some Patients
February 24, 2009
- Genentech Announces March 2, 2009 Webcast of Investment Community Meeting
- Genentech Special Committee Rejects Roche's $86.50 Offer as Inadequate
- Panacos Provides Corporate and Strategic Update
- AstraZeneca's Partner, MAP Pharmaceuticals, Announces Phase 3 Study of Unit Dose Budesonide in Children with Asthma Did Not Meet Primary Endpoints
- Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (CH) - Basilea Pharmaceutica Files Claims Against Johnson & Johnson Over Its Handling of Ceftobiprole (ZEFTERA/Zevtera) Clinical Studies
- Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (CH) - Zevtera Review Process Delayed in EU
- Orion Corporation (FI) - Orion: Primary Objective of STRIDE-PD Study Was Not Achieved
- Pfizer Discontinues Development of Two Phase 3 Compounds
- US Physicians Sharply Increase Their Negative Word of Mouth about Pharma, with EU Doctors Also Expressing High Dissatisfaction
February 25, 2009
- Elan Announces Further Alignment of Resources as Part of On-Going Strategic Review Process
- Abbott Successfully Completes Tender Offer for Shares of Advanced Medical Optics
- Smaller, Refocused Salesforce Will Enable Pharmaceutical Companies to Create Greater Value for Patients, Says New PricewaterhouseCoopers Report
- Press Statement Issued by Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited
- United States Files Complaint Against Forest Laboratories for Allegedly Violating the False Claims Act
- Trubion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces Work-Force Reductions and Restructuring
February 26, 2009
- FDA Takes New Regulatory Action Against Ranbaxy’s Paonta Sahib Plant in India
- Forest Laboratories, Inc. Provides Statement in Response to Complaint Filed by U.S. Government
- King Pharmaceuticals Reports Year-End and Fourth-Quarter 2008 Financial Results
- Parents Learn About HPV Vaccine Mostly from Drug Company Ads
February 27, 2009
- Endo Pharmaceuticals Returns Product Rights to Transdur-Sufentanil to Durect
- FDA Sends Letter to GlaxoSmithKline Over Avodart Ad
- Synta Suspends Elesclomol SYMMETRYTrial in Metastatic Melanoma
- FDA Requires Boxed Warning and Risk Mitigation Strategy for Metoclopramide-Containing Drugs
- Amicus Therapeutics Suspends Enrollment for Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AT2220 for Pompe Disease
- Astellas Files Lawsuit Against CV Therapeutics
