BioSpace.com News

Novartis AG Ramps Up Alzheimer's Drug Pursuit as Rivals Fail

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Novartis AG (NOVN) plans to ramp up its research in Alzheimers disease, a potential $20 billion market lacking a major contender and littered with three high-profile drug failures in the past year alone. ...

A Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation Shake Up and an FDA Warning Letter Over Production Gaffes

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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After a string of grave and embarrassing manufacturing problems, Boehringer Ingelheim is overhauling some of its management. Late last week, Boehringer Ingelheim quietly posted on its web site that Wolfram Carius...

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Bets on Reformulating Old Drugs as Investors Say "Show Me"

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), which just two years ago was analysts highest-rated stock among the worlds 20 biggest drugmakers, is struggling to convince investors that a key part of its strategy...

Johnson & Johnson to "Wrap Up" Pakistan Operations

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Johnson & Johnson Pakistan (Pvt) Limited has decided to wrap up its operations in Pakistan, according to industry sources. However, the company has refused to comment on the issue as yet. The American pharmaceutical...

GlaxoSmithKline Says Lowering Prices in China Caused Higher Sales

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 21, 2013 -- Want to increase revenues in China? You might try lowering prices. It seems to have worked for GlaxoSmithKline. In 2009, the company reduced the cost of its...

Serbia Arrests Eight Over Embezzlement

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Belgrade. Eight people suspected of abuses in Galenika pharmaceutical company were arrested by police yesterday in Serbia,B92 reported. Former Galenika Director Nenad Ognjenovic is among the arrested suspects...

Week in Review: RuiYi (formerly Anaphore) Signs Up Shanghai's to Develop mAb in China

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 18, 2013 -- RuiYi Inc., a San Diego-Shanghai biotech, signed an exclusive license with Genor BioPharma of Shanghai to develop RuiYis lead molecule in China; RuiYi also enlisted CMC Biologics to develop a cell line for RYI-008; Vectura, a UK maker of inhaled therapies, established a China respiratory JV with two partners: Tianjin KingYork and Zendex Bio Strategy...

Blockbuster Biologics 2012: Sales are Double That of 2006 Driven by Strong Growth of Recombinant Antibodies

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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STUTTGART, Germany | May 9, 2013 | The Business Intelligence firm La Merie Publishing released its new compilation of recombinant antibody and protein sales, this time for the year 2012. Since the first edition...

Frost & Sullivan's GIL 2013: Europe Set the Stage for a More Positive Economic Outlook

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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LONDON 17 May 2013 Over 100 industry leaders gathered in London for Frost & Sullivan's GIL 2013: Europe - The Global Community of Growth, Innovation and Leadership annual congress (http://gil-events.gilcommunity...

BioIndustry Association Release: Improved Voluntary Harmonization Procedure Delivers Significant Benefits for the Conduct of Multinational Clinical Trials in Europe

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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16 May 2013 -- Getting new innovative medicines to patients more quickly has become a step change easier thanks to the improved and refined Voluntary Harmonisation Procedure (VHP) for multinational clinical...

Merck & Co., Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Roche's Human Immune-Boosting Cancer Drugs Seen Extending Lives

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Merck & Co. (MRK), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) and Roche Holding AG (ROG) have opened a new front against cancer with the next generation of experimental drugs that use the human immune system to seek and...

A*STAR: Singapore as Asia's Innovation Capital

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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1. SINGAPORE, 15 MAY 2013 Singapore has received recognition in five global tracking studies in the area of Innovation and Research and Development (R&D). After 20 years of long term commitment to Science...

Novartis AG Scrambles to Woo Vets Angry Over Production Problems

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Now that Novartis has shrunk operations at its troubled Lincoln, Nebraska, plant, the drugmaker is scrambling to win back a key set of customers veterinarians. And to do so, Novartis is cutting the price of...

BioIndustry Association Release: Government Should Re-Fill the

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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14 May 2013 -- Today the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) released its Delivery Plan for 2013-14, commenting on this announcement Steve Bates, BioIndustry Association (BIA) Chief Executive Officer, said:<...

Cancer Treatments "Unaffordable", and Will Drive Rapid Transition to Generics and Market Decline, Says

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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May 14, 2013 --

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) branded therapies market to decline by $900 million in 10 years in the seven major markets

Unsustainable CML drug prices a major barrier...

Pfizer Inc. Exec Faces Adult Film Charges Which Include Children in Puerto Rico

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Federal authorities in Puerto Rico have arrested an executive at Pfizer Pharmaceutical for allegedly producing child pornography. Officials say 48-year-old Reinaldo Diaz Camacho was charged after Puerto Rico...

The Week in Review: Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Buys Out China JV Partner for $25 Million

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 11, 2013 -- Sagent Pharma, a US generic injectible drugmaker, will pay $25 million to acquire its partners 50% interest in a China manufacturing JV; ScinoPharm Taiwan and Coland Holdings formed a partnership to bring generic oncology drugs to mainland China; Zhejiang Huahai Pharma joined with Oncobiologics to develop and make biosimilars of four popular drugs...

BIOFORUM 2013: Polish-Hungarian Cooperation as a Big Chance for Creating New Emerging Bioregion: Central and Eastern Europe

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Poland, 13th May, 2013 -- On 22 May 2013 there will be signed a historic agreement concerning cooperation between Polish Biotech Association (PBA) and the Hungarian Biotechnology Association (HBA - Magyar Biotechnol...

Cipla Ltd. Probed for Anti-Competitive Practices

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Fair trade regulator Competition Commission is probing allegation of anti-competitive practices against five entities related to pharmaceutical industry, including drug maker Cipla. The complaint has been filed...

GlaxoSmithKline Finally Unveils Data-Sharing Portal

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Seven months after promising to release clinical trial data, GlaxoSmithKline has created an online system for researchers to request access to patient-level data and released the names of a group of experts...

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited's CEO Thinks China is a "Natural Fit"

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 7, 2013 -- Teva Pharmaceutical, the worlds largest generic drug manufacturer and one of the worlds fifteen largest pharmas, does not have a substantial presence in China...

Novartis AG Sees Boost From Program Designed to Speed Life-Saving Therapies

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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Just as Novartis AG (NOVN)s best-selling medicines are losing patent protection, the company is poised to get a revenue boost from a U.S. program designed to speed life- saving therapies to patients with...

Week in Review: Fosun Pharma Buys Israeli Laser Company for $240 Million

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 4, 2013 -- Shanghai Fosun Pharma, Chindex and a private equity partner will spend $240 million to buy a 95.6% stake in Alma Lasers, an Israeli medical device company; Ascletis, a China-US drug developer, in-licensed China rights to a next-generation HIV protease inhibitor from Janssen R&D Ireland; Zhejiang Huahai Pharma raised $126 million in a secondary offering...

Retractions?! Conflicts?! Novartis AG Probes Diovan Research

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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The scandal over clinical trials generated by Japanese researchers for the Diovan blood pressure drug sold by Novartis has now widened. The drugmaker has now acknowledged publicly for the first time that...

GlaxoSmithKline Mined Online Parent Discussion Boards for Vaccine Worries

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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There was a really interesting article in The Wall Street Journal about how GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) monitored public forums on BabyCenter.com and WhattoExpect.com. According to the article, GSK used...

ChinaBio(R) LLC Release: China Budgets $48.6 Million to Monitor H7N9 Bird Flu

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

May 1, 2013 -- In an emergency declaration, Chinas Ministry of Finance allocated 303 million RMB ($48.6 million) in an effort to control the spread of the H7N9 avian flu. The money will fund efforts to monitor cases of H7N9 infection, influenza-like illnesses, severe acute respiratory infection and unexplained pneumonia. Separately, the Ministry of Human Resources...

Combination Drugs are the Future of the European Hepatitis B and C Therapeutics Markets, Says Frost & Sullivan

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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LONDON 30 April 2013 The limited efficacy and negative side-effects associated with current therapeutics for Hepatitis B and C are highlighting the urgent need for new, improved alternatives. Combination...

Week in Review: WuXi PharmaTech Co., Ltd. Contributes to Funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

April 27, 2013 -- Syros Pharmaceuticals of Boston raised $30 million to develop cancer treatments from WuXi PharmaTech and other investors; a subsidiary of Hua Han Bio-Pharma signed a framework agreement to set up a JV with Chinas National Vaccine & Serum Institute; Tasly Pharma paid $240 million to acquire Jiangsu TaslyDiyi Pharma, a maker of chemical drugs; 3SBio...

AstraZeneca PLC Hit by Generic Drugs and Crestor Shortfall

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

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AstraZeneca's sales fell by a bigger-than-expected 13 percent in the first quarter as patent expiries took a heavy toll, underscoring the turnaround challenge facing Britain's second-largest drugmaker. Much...

Bioforum 2013: Biosimilars ??? Central and Eastern Europe Perspective

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Poland, 25th April, 2013 -- It is kind of truism to say that biotechnological products are the future of medicine. Especially, if their natural property to be recognized by human body as a natural and self-produced protein combating with particular disease is taken into consideration. Biosimilar market is estimated to be worth USD 2-3 bln by 2015, and up to USD 20 bn by 2020. Is it chance for small...

Week in Review: Ascletis, Inc. Collaborates With Roche on HCV Treatment

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

April 20, 2013 -- Ascletis will collaborate with Roche to develop Roches hepatitis C virus drug in China; Thermo Fisher acquired Life Technologies, pitching the transaction as an attractive combination for Asian markets; the Zongyi Group of China invested $8.6 million in ContraFect Corporation, a New York biotech; Wuhan Kindstar Diagnostics, a testing service for...

CPR Pharma Services: Australian CRO Launches Access2Asia - a Bridge for U.S. Companies into the Lucrative Asia Trial Market

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

April 22, 2013 -- The clinical trial market in Asia is booming with an annual 20% growth in clinical trials. US pharmas and biotechs are looking to extend their products reach into Asian countries and therefore require access to various ethnicities in order to fulfil local regulatory requirements for their early phase clinical trials. This will eventually enable launch of these products into Asian...

Actelion Ltd. Shareholders Reject Executive Pay Plan

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Actelion shareholders voted on Thursday against the biotechnology company's executive pay plan for 2012, making it the second Swiss company in as many weeks to have its compensation proposals rejected. More than 60 percent of shareholders voted against the plan, which includes 5.2 million Swiss francs ($5.6 million) in 2012 compensation for founder and Chief Executive Jean-Paul Clozel. Influential...

Olainfarm Plant Explodes

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Olaine, 2013-04-17 10:14 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AS "OlainFarm" announces that this morning at 9:20, an explosion caused by toluene vapour occured in the company's Nitrofurantoine manufacturing plant located in 5 R pniec bas street, Olaine, which was opened last year. Two people were injured in the explosion and have been hospitalised. The shockwave has smashed the facility's windows, but...

BioIndustry Association Release: Experts Discuss How Citizens' Innovation Funds Could Benefit UK Growth

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

17 April 2013 -- At a briefing earlier today hosted by the government's life sciences adviser, George Freeman MP at the House of Commons, sector stakeholders including investors, parliamentarians and companies heard from Jean-Jaques Yarmoff, International Partnerships Director of OSEO, the French equivalent of the Technology Strategy Board, about support for innovation in France in general and about...

Frost & Sullivan: New Drug Candidates Hold Tremendous Promise for European HIV Drugs Market

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

LONDON 16 April 2013 The anticipated launch of drugs currently in the pipeline, together with the introduction of oral combination pills, are set to have a profound impact on the European HIV drugs market.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.lifesciences.frost.com), Analysis of the European HIV Drugs Market, finds that the market earned $5.58 billion in 2012 and estimates...

Sanofi (France) Won't Chase Alzheimer's Therapies, Says

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Sanofi (SAN), unlike rivals such as Merck & Co., wont push hard to find an Alzheimers treatment because the science isnt advanced enough to justify the costs to develop a drug, Chief Executive Officer Chris Viehbacher said. Sanofi, the French drugmaker that has gained 42 percent in the past year, definitely wont commit major resources seeking to discover an Alzheimers therapy, Viehbacher said...

Week in Review: Eli Lilly and Company Invests $100 Million in

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

April 13, 2013 -- Eli Lillys animal health division, Elanco, will pay $100 million to buy a 20% stake in China Animal Healthcare Ltd.; OriGene Technologies acquired the assets of SDIX, an antibody maker, for $16 million; Tong Ren Tang plans to IPO a subsidiary, TRT Chinese Medicine, on the ChiNext exchange in Q2; the National Center for Drug Screening of China and...

AusBiotech Ltd. Release: Tax Reform Story Not Over for Biotech Industry

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

11 April 2013 -- Building on the success of the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive, industry leaders are calling for further tax reform to provide incentives for innovative manufacturing and investment, according to the Biotechnology Industry Position Survey 2013.

Appropriate support from the Federal Government was the topline issue for respondents, who urge the Government...

Frost & Sullivan: These are the New Mega Trends That Will Shape a Future Britain - in Healthcare and Beyond

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

LONDON 10 April 2013 In the future 81% of us in the UK will be living in urban areas, there will be 200 million connected devices and one in four British citizens will be shopping online the highest number in the world, per capita. The over 65s will represent 1/5 of the population, becoming one of the largest consumer groups with increasing healthcare needs. The countrys South East region will...

AstraZeneca PLC Can't Convince Credit Outlook Slashed

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Standard & Poor's cut its credit outlook for AstraZeneca (AZN.L) to negative from stable on Monday in response to a major strategy update by the drugmaker's new chief executive last month. The ratings agency said it did not believe the new strategy would halt the downward trend in revenues following patent expires on many of the company's top-selling medicines. "This could lead to a downgrade if the...

Week in Review: Sanofi (France) in the Hunt for China M&A

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

April 6, 2013 -- Sanofi is actively seeking China M&A opportunities in the consumer healthcare and veterinary products sectors, according to the companys CEO; Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine in-licensed China rights to a novel antibody from X-Body Biosciences of the US; Sanofi Pasteur will fund research at Chinas Xiamen University aimed at developing a universal flu vaccine...

ChinaBio(R) LLC Release: China's New Essential Drug List: Quality + Price

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

April 7, 2013 -- Last week, China issued its new 2012 Essential Drug List, a list that will have a profound effect on the pharmaceutical scene in China. Original research by ChinaBio discovered a revolutionary change in the new rules: Chinas Ministry of Health told provincial/municipal governments to consider quality not just price when choosing a drug supplier...

Synthetic Biology Companies Join BioIndustry Association, Trade Association Forms New Group for Emerging Sector

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

4 April 2013 -- Eight synthetic biology (synbio) companies have joined the BioIndustry Association (BIA) to form a new group working on this emerging area of bioscience.

Synbio is the design and engineering of biologically based parts, novel devices and systems as well as the redesign of existing, natural biological systems. It has the potential to deliver important new applications and improve...

BioIndustry Association Release: Four Innovative Companies Win Places at Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2013

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

3 April 2013 -- Four innovative UK life science companies will have the chance to promote their businesses and create new connections after winning the recent UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Innovation Competition.

The winning companies - Abcodia, Critical Pharmaceuticals, Nanomerics, and PsiOxus Therapeutics - will showcase their life science technologies to an international audience at the...

Week in Review: Sinopharm Group Building M&A War Chest

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 30, 2013 -- Sinopharm Group raised $515 million to fund its growth in the China drug distribution sector by selling new shares, adding to the $640 million it raised in bonds earlier this month; SK Biopharma of South Korea will collaborate with two China companies to develop its novel CNS drug; Weihai Weigao Medical Devices will distribute TriReme Medical...

AstraZeneca PLC CEO Chases Multiple Strands in RNA Drug Quest

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

AstraZeneca Plc (AZN), whose setbacks in drug development have made the stock the cheapest among the largest pharmaceutical companies, is turning to RNA technology to boost its chances of discovering new therapies. By manipulating RNA, drugmakers aim either to stop cells from producing proteins that can cause diseases such as cancer and diabetes, or make needed molecules that are missing. RNA, or ribonucleic...

ChinaBio(R) LLC Release: China's Ministry of Health Issues New Essential Drug List With 520 Products

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 27, 2013 -- Chinas Ministry of Health has issued its new essential medicine list, which includes 520 products, up from 307 in the 2009 version of the EDL.The 520 drugs are comprised of 317 chemical/biological drugs and 203 TCM products. Almost 200 of the products are aimed at children, redressing a deficiency of the previous EDL. Notably, the new list now includes...

Week in Review: Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI)'s CEO Says Science Drives Company's Collaborations

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 23, 2013 -- In an exclusive ChinaBio Today interview, Dr. Jun Wang, CEO of BGI, said the sequencing company is dream-driven, always seeking to fulfill the promise of genomic science; BGI closed its $118 million acquisition of US-based Complete Genomics last week; Roche Holding stepped up as one of the bidders for lab equipment-maker Life Technologies; Hony...

Medivir AB Splits R&D Organization Into Two

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

HUDDINGE, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Regulatory News:

Medivir AB (OMX:MVIR) today announced that the company will divide its current R&D organization into two parts, Discovery Research and Development, and strengthen the R&D leadership to prepare for future strategic and operational opportunities.

Recruitment of an international research head

The research organization...

Union: We Want Answers Over AstraZeneca PLC Jobs Losses

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Union chiefs were today due to confront AstraZeneca bosses after the drugs giant dropped a jobs bombshell on the region. The M.E.N. reported yesterday how the firm was closing its historic research centre at Alderley Park in Cheshire. Just 700 of the 2,900 staff currently working at the site are set to remain there after 2016. Around 550 workers are facing redundancy while more than 1,600 highly-skilled...

BioIndustry Association Release: UK Budget Confirms Government Support for Bioscience Sector

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

20 March 2013 -- The BioIndustry Association believes that the measures outlined in today's Budget announcements by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, continue to ensure the UK remains an attractive global location for bioscience. These include:

Lowering corporation tax to 20 per cent from 2015

Raising the rate of the above-the-line research and development tax credit...

Week in Review: Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Receives $503 Million Privatization Offer

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 16, 2013 -- Simcere Pharma, like many US-listed China biopharmas, has received a go-private offer from management, an offer that values Simcere at $503 million; Shanghai Pharma paid $72 million to purchase an additional 20% stake in Chiatai Qingchunbao Pharma, a Hangzhou maker of TCM products; New Jersey-based Catalent Pharma made two transactions that will...

BioIndustry Association Comment on AstraZeneca PLC Announcement

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

18 March 2013 -- Commenting on AstraZeneca's decision to focus its UK R&D activities and move its headquarters to Cambridge, Steve Bates, BioIndustry Association (BIA) Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am pleased that AstraZeneca has seen the value of the UK as a global hub for bioscience and we welcome its 330 million investment in consolidating its R&D activities and its global headquarters...

Animal-Rights Activists Protest AstraZeneca PLC Beagle Testing

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Animal rights campaigners have taken their protest to the gates of AstraZeneca after claiming that the firm has taken delivery of 300 beagles for testing. The pharmaceutical giant, based at Alderley Park, uses dogs for testing drugs, including those used for treating asthma, diabetes and arthritis. More than 100 people turned out to the office on Saturday to campaign for their freedom after they were...

Pfizer Inc. Criticizes India's Intellectual Property Policies

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

U.S. industry groups on Wednesday called for the United States to increase pressure on India to reform high-tech, agricultural and pharmaceutical policies they said block U.S. exports and damage patent rights. "India has essentially created a protectionist regime that harms U.S. job creators" in favor of the country's generic drug manufacturers, Roy Waldron, chief intellectual property counsel for...

Bioavailability Challenge 2013: Frost & Sullivan is Set to Participate as Keynote Speaker

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

March 14, 2013 -- Frost & Sullivan will present global trends, challenges and opportunities at Bioavailability Challenge 2013 webinar next week

Online event on the 20th of March - Top representatives from the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry are confirmed to attend the Bioavailability Challenge 2013 virtual event, which will gather a global audience to watch and interact in...

Interpol, Dozens of Drug Makers Ramp Up Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

More than two dozen of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies have agreed to provide funding and other support to Interpol's battle against counterfeit prescription drugs, the international police agency said Tuesday. Interpol's newly created Pharmaceutical Crime Program aims to help health agencies, police and customs bureaus in countries around the globe stem the supply of bogus brand-name...

Former Novartis AG Chairman Moving to U.S.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Daniel Vasella, the former chairman of Novartis AG (NVS), is moving to the U.S., the Sonntagsblick newspaper reports Sunday. The paper, which cited an unnamed person familiar with Dr. Vasella's plans, didn't elaborate on what the former pharmaceutical executive would do in the U.S. Sonntagsblick said Dr. Vasella has notified the municipality of Risch, where he lived while working at Novartis, that...

The Week in Review: Sinopharm Holding Guangzhou Co. Ltd to Raise $640 Million Through Bond Sale

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 9, 2013 --Sinopharm Holdings, one of Chinas big-three drug distributors, will issue $640 million of five-year corporate bonds that may be used to fund new acquisitions; Shanghai Fosun Pharma will buy $22.4 million of preferred stock in Saladax Biomedical, a US maker of diagnostic assays; EntreMed, a US biotech with strong China connections, raised $10.7 million...

Biomedical Catalyst is Unlocking Private Capital to Boost UK Bioscience Companies

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

11 March 2013 -- The next generation of UK bioscience companies is taking forward exciting new innovations quicker than they otherwise might have as a result of the Biomedical Catalyst. A new report published today shows that in its first year of operation the government's Biomedical Catalyst is leveraging private finance into the UK bioscience sector and accelerating medical research to benefit patients...

Week in Review: Sinopharm Group Pays $252 Million for Majority Stake in

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 2, 2013 -- Sinopharm paid $252 million to purchase a 57% stake in Chinas Winteam Pharma, a TCM maker; OrbiMed Advisors will close its second Asia healthcare private equity fund later this year, a fund that will invest mainly in China and India; China Grand Pharma announced a $20 million oncology drug JV with HuangShi Feiyun Pharma; Fosun Pharma formed a China...

Roche Slapped for Vodka Shots & Dancing on Stage

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

After a hard day at a medical conference, a pair of senior Roche employees grabbed a taxi and went to a lively, loud, party bar to unwind. But then the Roche employees bought round after round of shot drinks for doctors who were also enjoying themselves. And the drinks flowed like hot lava, according to an anonymous complaint filed with the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority, a...

SFDA Proposes Further Reforms in China's Drug Approval Process

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

March 1, 2013 -- With the goal of encouraging innovation in both new drugs and generics, the SFDA has released new proposed guidelines for its drug review process. The most significant change will be a new emphasis on the clinical need for the drug. Drugs that address an unmet need whether new or generic will be given greater priority. In addition, the SFDA proposes...

Fresenius SE, IV Fluids Tied to More Deaths, Study Finds

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

A type of intravenous solution made by Fresenius SE and B. Braun Holding GmbH thats used to treat shock has a 10 percent higher risk of death than another treatment, an analysis by U.K. researchers found. Hospitals should stop using hydroxyethyl starch solution, or colloid fluid, and instead give patients saline-based crystalloid fluids, according to Ian Roberts, the doctor who led the review of data...

Roche Peels Back the Curtain on Clinical Trial Data

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

In response to enormous criticism over its handling of Tamiflu clinical trial data, Roche announced a new plan to increase access to such information and its approach mimics steps begun recently by GlaxoSmithKline. Specifically, Roche will work with an independent group of recognized experts to evaluate and approve requests to access patient-level data and will also support the release of case...

NC3Rs Release: ??1 Million Boost for Infrastructure and Networks to Reduce Animal Use in Science

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

February 26, 2013 -- UK animal research laboratories will get 1 million to develop networks of shared resources to reduce and refine their animal use, the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) announced today (26th February, 2013).

A new initiative of the NC3Rs, the Infrastructure for Impact scheme supports the development of shared...

The Week in Review: Reckitt Benckiser Plc Buys Anhui's

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

February 23, 2013 -- Reckitt Benckiser, a British maker of OTC drugs, acquired Golong Medicine of Anhui, a TCM company that will provide a base for Reckitt Benckisers products in China; Chinas SFDA announced a set of newly-revised regulations for the countrys drug distributors to increase the safety of the drug supply chain; Sihuan Pharma received permission from...

Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. Disappointed Over FDA Denial

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RBP) announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied a Citizen's Petition filed by the Company. In the Citizen's Petition, RBP presented a new evaluation of pediatric exposure data and recommended that the FDA adopt more stringent packaging standards and increased...

China's SFDA Wants to Cut Number of Drug Distribution Companies by 10,000

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

February 20, 2013 -- Chinas SFDA has announced a set of newly-revised regulations for the countrys drug distributors. These new Good Supply Practices (GSP) for drugs, which comprise 187 articles, will promote higher standards of protection for the countrys drug supply among wholesalers and retailers. An SFDA spokesperson also said the government wants to reduce...

BioIndustry Association Release: Government Should Use Budget Opportunity to Unlock Sustainable Private Financing for Innovative

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

21 February 2013 -- Ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 2013 Budget in March the BioIndustry Association (BIA) has called on Government to unlock sustainable private financing for innovative companies by introducing Citizens' Innovation Funds (CIFs).

In its Budget submission the BIA also urges the Chancellor to work towards a similarly funded second phase of the successful Biomedical...

Drugmakers Weigh Carve-Outs as Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer Inc. Set Pace

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Breaking up is getting easier for pharmaceutical companies. Recent restructurings by Pfizer and Abbott Laboratories have set the pace for others as investors applaud the unlocking of value trapped inside large drugmakers. The success of deals such as Abbott splitting off its innovative drugs into AbbVie and Pfizer's spin-out of animal health into Zoetis has increased the pressure on other boards to...

Amgen Will Use Partnerships and M&A to Enter China Market

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

February 14, 2013 -- Amgen is planning a China marketing initiative, using a combination of partnerships and M&A to gain a foothold. It expects to have its own patented drugs on the China market by 2015. At the same time, the company has announced it will establish a biosimilar capability that will produce versions of its competitors biologic drugs. To make these...

Frost & Sullivan Release: Biosimilars Market Expected to Soar

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

LONDON 13 February 2013 Top representatives from the healthcare industry are confirmed to attend the 2nd Biosimilars Congregation which will take place in London on the 19th and 20th of February 2013. Ranjith Gopinathan, Frost & Sullivan Program Manager for Life Sciences, Europe Practice is set to participate to the events Keynote Panel Discussion focusing on challenges and opportunities in the...

Kantar Health Research Delivers New Insights Into Biosimilar Opportunities in China

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

NEW YORK, February 13, 2013Kantar Health, a leading global advisory and marketing research company, today released new, syndicated research analyzing the growth potential and challenges for biosimilars in China.

The report, Biosimilars in China: Opportunities and Challenges, examined six promising molecules across nine indications in three therapeutic areas (oncology, rheumatoid arthritis...

Drugmakers Including Bayer AG, AstraZeneca PLC and Johnson & Johnson Pool R&D in $265 Million EU Project

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

Seven European drugmakers are to pool their research efforts with academic scientists and smaller companies in a new 196 million euros ($265 million) project designed to find tomorrow's medicines. The project, backed by the European Union, is the latest example of the drugs industry exploring ways to share early-stage research, effectively taking lessons from the kind of open innovation that gave the...

Bio Tech Consulting: Patent Changes - Who Will Lose and Who Will Gain?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

February 11, 2013 -- The traders who want to protect their invention or technology will have an opportunity to get a unified patent in the nearest future. The establishment of the unified patent protection will cause coexistence of four patent categories: national patents, European Patents, European Patent with Unitary Effect and European Patent with Unitary Effect validated in one or few countries...

Pfizer Inc. Closes Clinical Research Unit in Singapore

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

The Republic's clinical research aspirations took a step back as Pfizer, the world's largest drugmaker, pulled the plug on its dedicated clinical research outfit at Raffles Hospital mid-way through its 10-year lease. Pfizer's exit from Singapore comes amid a shift in research and development models in the global biopharmaceutical industry, which has turned to more flexible and less costly partnerships...

KMR Group Release: New Study on Emerging Markets Reports Low Marks for Asia

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

CHICAGO, Illinois, February 6, 2013 KMR Group, a leader in analyzing R&D performance data for the biopharmaceutical industry, completed an analysis of recent clinical work in Emerging Markets. Conducted on behalf of the Enrollment Metrix Forum, the study analyzed industry trends, differing approaches, and the opportunities and challenges it confronts.

The potential for new patient pools...

Week in Review: Buys SinoMab BioScience Ltd. Stake for $10 Million

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:00:00 AM GMT

by Richard Daverman, PhD

February 2, 2013 -- Hainan Haiyao Co. will pay $9.9 million for a 40% stake in SinoMab Bioscience Limited, an antibody company; MicroConstants China, a Beijing early stage CRO, will manage the clinical research center of the No. 307 Hospital of the Peoples Liberation Army; Lee's Pharma will conduct the China arm of a global Phase III trial for Portola Pharma in exchange...