Pharmaceutical Industry News Archive
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March 2008
March 3
New survey shows Michigan doctors embracing ePrescribing
AEterna Zentaris and Paladin Labs Announce Sale and Purchase of
Miltefosine Rights
Toolbar Created for PharmaLiveSearch.com, the Only Search Engine
Specific to the Pharmaceutical Industry
Pfizer to Acquire Serenex to Extend Oncology Pipeline and Access
Novel Technology Platform
Merck Progress Report on Enrollment in Program to Resolve U.S.
Vioxx Product Liability Lawsuits
MicroDose Technologies Grants Global License to Merck & Co.,
Inc., for Use of the MicroDose Inhaler with Merck's Proprietary
Products
OneWorld Health, Amyris Biotechnologies and sanofi-aventis Announce
Development Agreement for Semisynthetic Artemisinin
BioWa Announces Expansion of License Agreement with Genentech for
BioWa's POTELLIGENT Technology
Barr Announces Favorable Ruling in Yasmin Patent Challenge
March 4
StemCells, Inc. Terminates Its Discussions to Acquire Progenitor
Cell Therapy, LLC
Court Decides Against Bayer’s Yasmin Patent
Allergan Comments on the United States Department of Justice
Subpoena for the Production of Documents Relating to Promotional
Practices of Botox for Therapeutic Uses
PsychoGenics and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Sign Drug Discovery
Agreement
New Technique Involving Roche's LightCycler 480 Instrument Enables
Efficient and Economic Studies on RNA Editing
Senate President Announces Major Legislation to Advance
Massachusetts Health Care Reform
Astellas to Move Clinical Development Base to U.S.
Provectus Pharmaceuticals Receives US Patent Allowance to Provide
Further Protection for Novel Photodynamic Drug PH-12
Medwatch: Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate)
Breast Cancer Risk Lingered Years after Women Discontinued
Estrogen-Progestin Therapy, Stanford Researcher Says
WHI Findings Published in JAMA Do Not Affect Clinical Guidance for
the Appropriate Use of Hormone Therapy
March 5
March 6
Kyowa Hakko and Amgen Enter Licensing Agreement for Anti-CCR4
Humanized Monoclonal Antibody
IMPAX Comments on Lawsuit Related to Generic Version of Detrol LA
Kyowa Hakko and Amgen Enter Licensing Agreement for Anti-CCR4
Humanized Monoclonal Antibody
IMPAX Comments on Lawsuit Related to Generic Version of Detrol LA
GSK Statement on MHRA Investigation
GSK Investigation Concludes
Sensor Necklace Aims to Increase Drug Compliance
FDA Updates Safety Information for Long Acting Beta Agonists
Mental Health Parity Laudable, But House Legislation Would Put
Medicaid Patients at Risk, Lilly Says
PhRMA Statement on Mental Health Parity Legislation
Celgene and Pharmion Announce Shareholder Vote in Favor of
Acquisition of Pharmion
Kennedy, Ramstad Announce Historic Passage of Paul Wellstone Mental
Health Parity Bill
FDA Warns Companies Importing and Marketing Drugs Over the Internet
that Fraudulently Claim to Prevent and Treat STDs
Marcadia Biotech, Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. Enter Strategic
Collaboration
Wyeth To Appeal Arkansas Hormone Therapy Trial Verdicts
March 7
Abbott to Collaborate With Genentech, Roche and OSI on Molecular
Test for Lung Cancer Therapy Response
Genta Announces Licensing Agreement for Worldwide Development and
Commercialization of a Leading Oral Taxane, Tesetaxel
Alkermes Provides Update on Inhaled Insulin Program
Pfizer Wins Challenge to Two Main U.S. Patents for Celebrex by
Generic Manufacturer Teva
AVANT Announces Completed Merger with Celldex and 1-for-12 Reverse
Stock Split
March 10
Lilly Announces Termination of AIR Insulin Program
Immunicon Corporation Announces Corporate Restructuring
Cerimon to Conduct a Proof of Concept Study for Basiliximab for
Noninfectious Uveitis, a Potentially Sight-Threatening Inflammation
of the Eye
Amgen Announces Update to U.S. Prescribing Information for Aranesp
and Epogen
Conclusion of Co-Development and Co-Marketing Agreement on Z-338
for Functional Dyspepsia in Japan with Astellas Pharma Inc.
Curis Announces Conclusion of Hedgehog Agonist Collaboration with
Wyeth
A Successful 2007 Paves the Way for Future of Nycomed
Tongjitang Receives Proposal to Acquire All Outstanding Shares of
the Company
Hagens Berman: Eleven Defendants Settle in Average Wholesale Price
Litigation
March 11
Cytogen Announces Definitive Merger Agreement with EUSA PHARMA for
$0.62 per Share in Cash
Totality of Available Data Reaffirms Procrit (Epoetin alfa) Is Safe
and Effective When Used Appropriately as Labeled to Treat
Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia
OmniLytics Enters Collaboration with Elanco
FDA Names Permanent Director for Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research
Congresswoman Schwartz Calls on EPA to Establish a National
Taskforce to Investigate Pharmaceuticals in America’s Water
Supply
Pipex Pharmaceuticals Announces Cost Reduction Measures
Microbicide Developer Receives License for Novel HIV Microbicide
Candidate From Merck & Co., Inc.
Pfizer's Waxman to Leave
U.S. Patent Office Upholds Two Additional Human Embryonic Stem Cell
Patents in Reexamination Decisions
March 12
Trial Date Set For Seroquel Patent Litigation
FDA approval of Abbott's Simcor marks start of co-promotion with
Solvay
IMS Health Reports U.S. Prescription Sales Grew 3.8 Percent in
2007, to $286.5 Billion
FDA Agrees to Amend Dendreon's Special Protocol Assessment for
Phase 3 IMPACT Study of Provenge
Connecticut AG Blumenthal Sues Eli Lilly For Illegally Marketing
Antipsychotic Drug Zyprexa For Unapproved Uses
China Aoxing Pharmaceutical Company Signed Definitive Acquisition
Agreement to Acquire Shijiazhuang Lerentang Pharmaceutical Company,
Ltd.
Memory Pharmaceuticals Refocuses to Advance Development and
Clinical Programs
Med Ad News Announces Nominees for the 19th Annual Manny Awards
Suven Establishes Second CNS Drug Discovery Collaboration with
Lilly
M's Science and Eisai Sign Option Agreement for Sigma Agonist
SA4503
FDA and Tibotec Dear Healthcare Professional Letter Regarding New
Prescribing Information for Prezista (darunavir)
March 13
FDA MedWatch - Prezista (darunavir)- Reports Of Drug Induced
Hepatitis In Patients Receiving Prezista/Ritonavir
FDA MedWatch- Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents- Studies Indicate
Increased Mortality And More Rapid Tumor Progression In Patients
With Cancer Receiving ESAs
Statement from Eli Lilly and Company: Response to Connecticut
Attorney General News Release
Immtech Announces Update on Business Operations
Eularis Exposes Hidden Barriers to Patient Adherence With New
Pharmaceutical Industry Report
Roche NimbleGen and Affymetrix Expand Licensing Agreement
Silence Therapeutics and AstraZeneca Announce Collaboration to
Develop Novel Approaches for siRNA Drug Delivery
March 14
Option to Develop Exelixis Compound Exercised By Genentech
Lilly and Transition Therapeutics Announce Licensing and
Collaboration Agreement
Sen. Kohl Requests Documents from Schering-Plough Regarding
“49 Plan” Sales Push
Genentech Provides Business Update at Annual Investment Community
Meeting
Genmab and PDL BioPharma Close Sale of Antibody Manufacturing
Facility
Ceragenix Completes Patient Visit Phase of Clinical Trial Study to
Compare Efficacy of EpiCeram to Elidel
Bostwick Laboratories Announces Initial Public Offering
Ortho Biotech Statement on U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee Vote
March 17
FDA Takes Next Step in Establishing Overseas Presence
Merck Scientists Apply Innovative Research Method to Identify
Changes in Gene Networks Linked to Obesity
Statement from Eli Lilly and Company: Response to Today's New York
Times Article, 'Lilly E-Mail Discussed Off-Label Drug Use'
Reps. Eshoo, Barton Introduce Pathway for Biosimilars Act
FDA Indicates That Genasense Approval in Chronic Lymphocytic
Leukemia Will Require Additional Confirmatory Data
Amgen and Wyeth Announce Updates to U.S. Prescribing Information
for Enbrel
As Problems Surface, Consumerlab.com and the People's
Pharmacy Ask FDA to Disclose Differences Between Generic and
Original Drugs
Oriola-KD to Enter Growing Russian Pharmaceutical Retail and
Wholesale Markets
Dynavax and Merck & Co., Inc. Report Clinical Hold of
Investigational Vaccine Heplisav
March 18
Pharmacopeia to Receive $5 Million Payment from GlaxoSmithKline
OSI Pharmaceuticals Announces That the Prior Revocation of Its
European DP-IV Patent Has Been Upheld
Baxter's Board of Directors Approves New Share Repurchase
Authorization of $2 Billion
Barr's PLIVA Subsidiary to Terminate GDR Deposit Agreement and
Delist From London Stock Exchange
Ingenuity Systems Extends Enterprise-Level Software Agreement With
GlaxoSmithKline
MedWatch - Tiotropium (marketed as Spiriva HandiHaler): Ongoing
Safety Review - Possible Increased Risk of Stroke
March 19
Kosan Restructures Workforce to Focus Resources on Lead Clinical
Programs
Former Intermune CEO W. Scott Harkonen Indicted for Wire Fraud and
FDA Violations
Merck Serono Launches Cyanokit in Japan
Florida, 18 States Sue Abbott Laboratories for Blocking Generic
Prescription Competition
Alkermes Announces Restructuring
Cenix BioScience Signs Framework Research Agreement with
AstraZeneca for RNAi-Based Drug Discovery
Galderma Announces HSR Clearance for Its Proposal to Acquire
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals
MedCap Urges Vote Against Proposed VaxGen Merger With Raven
biotechnologies
March 20
European CHMP Issues Positive Opinion for Viread for the Treatment
of Chronic Hepatitis B
Pharming To Receive Negative Opinion On European Marketing
Authorization Application For Rhucin
Price of Medicine May Affect Its Efficacy According to Stanford
Business School Research
Takeda, Abbott Announce Plans to Conclude TAP Joint Venture
EPIX Pharmaceuticals Announces Discontinuation of PRX-00023
Clinical Development Program
UCB Advises US-Physicians to Down-Titrate Patients on Neupro In
View of Out-of-Stock Situation in the US
Bellwether Industry’s Confidence In UK Slumps –
ABPI/CBI Survey
Medicare Announces Expanded Coverage for Warfarin Patients
Monitoring Clotting Time at Home
March 21
Federal Court of Appeal in Canada Upholds Lipitor Enantiomer
Patent, Decision Prevents Launch of Generic Product by Ranbaxy
until 2010
American Health Packaging Announces a Recall of Approximately 1,400
Units of Heparin Sodium Vial Products as Part of Broader Baxter
Recall
EMEA Concludes New Advice to Doctors and Patients for Tysabri
(natalizumab) Needed
EMEA Recommends New Contraindication for Velcade (bortezomib)
Opexa Therapeutics Announces Retirement of CEO David McWilliams
March 24
Free Drug Samples May Burden Patients' Pockets
CytRx Submits Response to FDA Related to Clinical Program with
Arimoclomol in ALS
MedWatch - B. Braun Heparin Sodium Injection Solutions - Recall due
to heparin-like contaminant
STG Media Corp. Combines Forces with Internet Solutions Provider
Salient Digital, Inc. to Form STG Interactive
Biovail Reaches Settlement With SEC, Provides Update On OSC
Investigation
R&D Spending by U.S. Biopharmaceutical Companies Reaches Record
$58.8 Billion in 2007
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro: Nationwide Class Action Certified in
Average Wholesale Price Litigation
R&D Spending by U.S. Biopharmaceutical Companies Reaches Record
$58.8 Billion in 2007
March 25
Jama Editor-in-chief Comments on Pfizer Lawsuit
Sonus Pharmaceuticals Refines Strategic Initiatives
Drug Alerts Sent Instantly to U.S. Doctors via Email on New
National Network
Health Care Services M&A Posts Second-Highest Dollar Level in
2007, According to Irving Levin Associates, Inc.
Shire plc: IFRS Results for the Year Ending December 31, 2007
March 26
Evotec's Registration Statement in Connection With its Proposed
Acquisition of Renovis Declared Effective
Bayer Schering Pharma Starts New Campaign - Restore the Man
State of Alaska and Eli Lilly and Company Reach Agreement to Settle
Zyprexa Lawsuit
Plastic Surgery Procedures Maintain Steady Growth in 2007
Surveys Find Key Changes in the Role of the Pharmaceutical CFO
FDA Makes Recommendations on Medical Devices That Treat Blocked
Heart Arteries
March 27
FDA Sends Warning Letter to King Pharmaceuticals Over Avinza File
Card
FDA Deadlines May Compromise Drug Safety by Rushing Approval
Pfizer Clears U.S. Antitrust Review for Acquisition of All
Outstanding Shares of Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Aida Acquires High-Level Research Institute in China
Progen Restructures Manufacturing and Drug Discovery Divisions
Pegintron Plus Weight-Based Rebetol Resulted in Higher SVR Than
Flat Dosing; Low Relapse Rates in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
FDA MedWatch- Singulair (montelukast)- Possible Association Between
Use Of Singulair And Behavior/Mood Changes, Suicidality, And
Suicide
Phoenix Healthcare Reports on Cholesterol Patients' Reactions to
Publicity and Press Stories
Otsuka to Pay More Than $4 Million to Resolve Off-Label Marketing
Allegations Involving Abilify
FDA MedWatch- Regranex (becaplermin) Gel- Study Data Suggests
Possible Increased Risk Of Death From Cancer In Diabetic Patients
Using The Product
FDA MedWatch- Ziagen (abacavir) and Videx (Didanosine)- Study Date
Indicates A Higher Risk of Heart Attack In Patients Infected With
HIV-1 Taking Ziagen Or Videx
March 28
FDA issues a Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review Regranex
(becaplermin)
VaxGen and Raven Terminate Merger Agreement
Otsuka to Pay More than $4 Million to Resolve off-label Marketing
Allegations Involving Abilify
Discontinuation of Development of TAK-475, a Compound for Treatment
of Hypercholesterolemia
Medicines Australia Sets World-First in Transparency
