Pharmaceutical Industry News Archive
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News Archive for March 2012
March 1, 2012
- Eight Arrested During Protest at Pfizer Plant
- Genzyme Begins Shipping Fabrazyme from Newly Approved Framingham Manufacturing Plant
- Endo Pharmaceuticals Announces Proposal to Change Name of Parent Company and Rebrands Enterprise: Revealing an Innovative Corporate Structure Dedicated to Redefining Healthcare Value
- Columbia Laboratories Announces 42% Workforce Reduction
March 2, 2012
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Interactions between Certain HIV or hepatitis C Drugs and Cholesterol-lowering Statin Drugs can Increase the Risk of Muscle Injury
- Antitrust: Commission Closes Investigation in Pharmaceutical Companies AstraZeneca and Nycomed
- GSK and Daiichi Sankyo Enter Into Strategic Alliance to Establish a Vaccine Joint Venture in Japan
- Sanofi Appoints Jean-Luc Lowinski, Senior Vice President, Asia Region
- UCB - Financial results 2011
- Amgen Announces Initial Results of Tender Offer for Outstanding Shares of Micromet, Inc. and Commencement of Subsequent Offering Period
- Baxter Receives Marketing Authorization in European Union for VEPACEL Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine
- SciClone Announces Results of Interim Analysis of Phase 2 SCV-07 Oral Mucositis Trial
March 5, 2012
- Depomed Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Gralise ANDA Filers
- Data Presented at the 2012 European Congress of Psychiatry on Selincro Demonstrate that Alcohol Dependent Patients were able to Reduce their Total Alcohol Consumption by 2/3 on Average after Six Months of Treatment
March 6, 2012
- AmerisourceBergen to Acquire World Courier Group, Inc.
- FY/2011: Merck Total Revenues Rise 11%, Surpassing ? 10 Billion
- Roche Annual General Meeting 2012
- Ranbaxy Becomes the First Company to Launch Generic Atorvastatin in Italy, Netherlands, Sweden
- Shire to Initiate Two Phase 4 Clinical Trials to Compare Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) Capsules, (CII) to Concerta(R) (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-Release Tablets, (CII)
- Merck Confirms 2012 Full-Year Guidance
- STADA with a New Internet Presence and its Own YouTube Channel
- Millennium Initiates Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of MLN8237 in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma
March 7, 2012
- Orexo AB Focuses its Business and Reduces Costs
- Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly's new oral type 2 diabetes treatment for adults, Jentadueto (linagliptin/metformin hydrochloride) tablets, now available in U.S. pharmacies
- Amgen Completes Tender Offer for Outstanding Shares of Micromet, Inc.
March 8, 2012
March 9, 2012
- FDA Responds to AstraZeneca Citizen Petitions on Quetiapine Product Labeling
- Company Statement: Quarantining of CSL Biotherapies Human Albumin (4% and 20%)
- Boca Pharmacal Receives FDA Approval on Methimazole
- Dave Lemus Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Anthera Halts VISTA-16 Clinical Study Due to Lack of Efficacy Following Recommendation by the Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board
- Mylan to Build New Corporate Headquarters
March 12, 2012
- Company Letter:12 March 2012 Notification - Release from quarantine for supply
- ONSOLIS Relaunch Postponed Pending Product Modification
- European Medicines Agency Launches Electronic Application Form Pilot
- NATCO Granted Compulsory Licence for Nexavar
- Ranbaxy Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Morocco
- U.S. Federal Court Finds in Favor of Allergan, Inc. and Issues Permanent Injunction against Merz Pharmaceuticals and Merz Aesthetics
March 13, 2012
- British Study Warns of Birth Defects from Antidepressants like Prozac
- AstraZeneca Files Lawsuit against the FDA for Decision Regarding Quetiapine Product Labeling and Exclusivity
- First Pill for Treating MS Sufferers is Also Turned Down
- Biocon And Pfizer Conclude Commercialization Agreement
- $1.8 Million Jury Verdict Favors Former Division Sales Manager for Roche Pharmaceuticals
- Endo Files Amended Citizen Petition Seeking Public FDA Resolution of Several Safety and Efficacy Issues Prior to Approval of a Generic Formulation of LIDODERM
- Roche receives request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission
March 14, 2012
- Drug Maker to Fight Ban on Aid for Scots Cancer Patients
- Nycomed, a Takeda Company, Launches Omnaris Nasal Spray in the UAE for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
- Bayer Sets Ambitious Targets for 2014
- Merz Aesthetics, Inc. And Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC Commit To Full Remediation Compliance In Allergan Inc. Lawsuit
- Paper Calls for Continued Support for Development of Advanced Therapies
- Biogen Idec Takes Option to MAKScientific MS Program
- Forest Laboratories, Inc. Files Lawsuits against Several Companies for Infringement of Bystolic Patent
- Teva Announces Launch of Generic Lexapro in the United States; Awarded 180-Day Period of Marketing Exclusivity
- Watson Confirms BYSTOLIC Patent Challenge
March 15, 2012
- Shire to Acquire FerroKin BioSciences, Inc., and its Phase 2 Iron Chelator Treatment
- Abbott Announces Patient Enrollment in Two Phase 3 Studies of Humira (adalimumab) for Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Fight over Hypertension Pill Leads to Lawsuit
- GlaxoSmithKline Provides Further Update on Divestment of non-core over-the-counter (OTC) Brands
- Merck Partners with Academic Scientists and Biotechnology Entrepreneurs to Create the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr)
- European Medicines Agency Issues Guidance on Prevention of HIV Transmission for Public Consultation
- NICE Guidance Recommends New Treatment Option for People with Common Heart Condition
- Anthera Provides Corporate Update on Recent Activities
- Mylan Canada Receives Health Canada Approval for Generic Version of Crestor
March 16, 2012
- Novartis Europharm Ltd Withdraws its Applications for an Extension of the Indication for Exelon and Prometax (Rivastigmine)
- Sanofi to Acquire Pluromed, Inc., Expanding its Presence in Biosurgery
- ThromboGenics Enters into Commercialization Agreement for Ocriplasmin with Alcon Outside the United States
- Medco Study Finds Many Patients on Newer Oncology Treatments Are at Risk for Drug Interactions
- JacksonWhite Files Overtime Lawsuit Against Sunovion Pharmaceuticals
- FDA Sends Teva Warning Letter for Copaxone Promotional Materials
- European Medicines Agency Recommends Transfer of Manufacturing Sites for Caelyx and Ceplene
- Novartis Europharm Ltd Withdraws its Applications for an Extension of the Indication for Exelon and Prometax (rivastigmine)
- European Medicines Agency Confirms Positive Benefit-risk Balance of Protelos/Osseor, but Recommends New Contraindications and Revised Warnings
- EMA Recommends Marketing Authorization for Docetaxel Accord
- European Medicines Agency Issues Recommendations for 2012/2013 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Composition
- EMA Adopts Positive Opinion for Docetaxel Kabi
- CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion for Zoledronic Acid
- CHMP Recommends Marketing Authorization for Zoledronic Acid
- CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion for Menveo
- CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion for Proquad
- Questions and answers on Priorix (measles, mumps andr ubella vaccine (live))
- Questions and Answers on Femara and Associated Names (letrozole, 2.5 mg tablets)
- Additional Evidence Means First Pill for MS Could Soon be Recommended for Some Patients
- NICE Publishes Final Draft Guidance on telaprevir for Chronic Hepatitis C
March 19, 2012
- QLT Receives Orphan Drug Designation for Visudyne for Treatment of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
- Industry and academia join forces as UCB and Oxford University announce new R&D partnership
- Las Vegas Man Wins $1.868 Million in Employment Age, Retaliation Suit
- Cardiome Provides Update on Merck's Development Plans for Vernakalant Oral
- Newspaper Report: Generic Drug maker Could Profit From Own Shortage
- Deals Worth $1.75 Billion Offer Insight Into Abbott's Spinoff Strategy
- Cardiome Says Merck Is Dropping Support of Oral Version of Heart Drug Treatment
March 20, 2012
- FDA Approves First Boniva Generics to Treat Or Prevent Osteoporosis
- FDA Approves Generic Boniva
- Novartis launches Arcapta Neohaler, a novel once-daily bronchodilator for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- AstraZeneca and Targacept Announce Remaining TC-5214 Phase 3 Efficacy Studies Do Not Meet Primary Endpoint, Regulatory Filing Will Not Be Pursued
- Eisai Expands Operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
- Criminals Distributing Fake Viagra Busted
- CREW With Advocacy Groups Ask FTC to Investigate Anti-Competitive Practices of Vaccine Makers
March 21, 2012
- Galapagos Delivers Candidate Drug in Its Alliance With Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV and Receives Milestone Payment
- Merck and ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Provide Update on FDA Advisory Committee Vote on Investigational Medicine Ridaforolimus for the Treatment of Metastatic Soft-Tissue or Bone Sarcomas
- Targacept Considering Downsizing in Wake of Failed Drug
- Neurologix Files for Bankruptcy Liquidation
- Research Highlights Pitfall of Psychiatric Drug Development: Publication Bias May Provide Physicians with an Incomplete Picture
- Ariad Pharma Shares Fall
- Abbott Selects AbbVie as New Name for Future Research-Based Pharmaceutical Company
March 22, 2012
- Survey of U.S. and EU Pharmaceutical Executives Reveals Widespread View That ?the Business Model Is Broken?
- Rockefeller, Harkin, Cummings Investigate ?Fake Pharmacies? Buying and Selling Shortage Drugs in the Gray Market
- Lawmakers: Fake Pharmacies Price Gouging on Drugs
- AstraZeneca Tipped to Buy US Group Forest, As It Loses Seroquel Patent Case
- UK Court Finds Seroquel XR Formulation Patent Invalid
- GSK Confirms Significant Investments in UK Manufacturing: Ulverston in Cumbria Selected As Site of New Biopharmaceutical Factory
- Supreme Court Denies Apotex's Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
- Endo Acquires Johnson Matthey's Oxymorphone Patent
- Icagen Gets A New Name After Being Acquired By Pfizer
- FDA Posts Letter Sent to Biogen Idec Regarding Avonex
March 23, 2012
- Experimental Cholesterol Drug Could Be 'Game Changing'
- Oregon Patients Caught Between Insurers, High Cost for Specialty Drugs
- Merck and Lumira Capital to Announce A Multimillion-Dollar Quebec Research Fund
- Drug Maker Pozen Announces Positive Results for Its Aspirin
- Daiichi Sankyo Announces New Global Corporate Slogan as of April 1, 2012
- Senators Press for Solution to Painkiller, Antipsychotic Abuses
- GSK, J&J Join Index Ventures' Asset-Based $199M VC Fund
March 26, 2012
- Roche extends tender offer for Illumina
- US Court Denies Preliminary Injunction Application against the FDA and Dismisses AstraZeneca's Lawsuit without Prejudice
- Illumina Comments on Second Extension of Roche's Unsolicited Tender Offer
- Multifaceted Educational Intervention Results in Increased Use of Evidence-Based Medications for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes in Brazil
- Researcher Sentenced to Probation for Falsifying Clinical Drug Trial
- Illumina's Board of Directors Sends Second Letter to Stockholders
- Valeant Will Buy Russian OTC Drug maker for $180M
March 27, 2012
- Health Canada Warns on Avodart Prostate Cancer: AttorneyOne.com Provides Advice and Solutions for the Ongoing Threat of Adverse Events from Avodart
- Durata Therapeutics Appoints John P. Shannon as Chief Commercial Officer with Responsibility to Build Commercial Team
- Establishment of Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics -Joint-Venture of Fujifilm and Kyowa Hakko Kirin for the
- STADA Founds a Subsidiary in Australia ? Business Activities Expected to Commence in the Third Quarter of 2012
March 28, 2012
- Greater Medication Cost-Sharing Associated With Reduced Use of Asthma Medications By Children
- Teva Announces Launch of Generic Seroquel in the United States
- Pfizer Moves Higher Amid Persistent Breakup Talk
- Genzyme Takes on Shire Drug Patients
- INC Research to Close and Lay Off Most Employees
- Pfizer Moves Higher Amid Persistent Breakup Talk
- Merck Appoints Michael J. Holston as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
- Asterand's Subsidiary BioSeek Extends Collaboration with Merck Serono
- Canadian Urological Association Partners with Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc.
- Med Ad News Magazine Announces Nominees for the 23rd Annual Manny Awards as well as Advertising Person of the Year
March 29, 2012
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Revised Recommendations for Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) Related to a Potential Risk of Abnormal Heart Rhythms with High Doses
- Roche increases offer price for Illumina shares to US$ 51.00 per share
- Illumina Advises Stockholders to Defer Taking Any Action in Response to Roche's Increased Offer
- NGM and Daiichi Sankyo Collaborate to Discover and Develop Innovative Therapeutics for Diabetes
- Novartis's Day in Court Set for July 10, 2012
- Chelsea Therapeutics Tumbles
- Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. Enter Collaboration to Commercialize Fidaxomicin for Clostridium difficile Infection in Japan
- Eli Lilly Says Psoriasis Drug Meets Goal in Study
- Covis' Zantac Injection Returns to the Market
- DURECT Receives Back U.S. and Canadian Product Rights to POSIDUR
- US District Court Finds SEROQUEL XR Formulation Patent Valid and Infringed
March 30, 2012
- Glaxosmithkline and Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Commence the Co-Promotion of Anti-Depressant Paxil CR Tablets
- Shionogi Enters into Exclusive Licensing Agreement with OncoTherapy Science to Develop and Market Cancer Peptide Vaccines
- AstraZeneca Climbs After US Seroquel Patent Victory, as Mining Groups Lift FTSE 100 Higher
- Drugstores Sue to Block Express Scripts Deal
