The Leading Source for Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing News
FREE Daily Email Newsletter
What New Diagnoses Could Mean for Pharma Industry
June 5, 2013 8:48 am | Videos | CommentsChanges to the DSM-5, the updated manual of psychiatric illnesses released earlier this month, include 15 new disorders. The Wall Street Journal’s Jen Wieczner looks at how these new disorders could spell new market opportunities for Big Pharma.
Smart Drugs. Too Good to be True?
June 5, 2013 8:38 am | Videos | CommentsIf there was a pill to make you smarter would you take it? A new generation of so-called “smart” drugs is being used by people looking for an edge, but doctors warn of serious potential side effects. Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman of Columbia University Medical Center offers his perspective.
Obesity Surgery-Diabetes Study Shows Pros and Cons
June 5, 2013 8:22 am | by LINDSEY TANNER,AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsObesity surgery worked much better at reducing and even reversing diabetes than medication and lifestyle changes in one of the most rigorous studies of its kind. But the researchers and others warn that possible serious complications need to be considered.
First Manhattan Seeks to Replace Vivus Directors
June 5, 2013 8:12 am | News | CommentsOne of Vivus Inc.'s biggest stockholders is asking shareholders to vote for its slate of board nominees, continuing its push for new leadership at the company. First Manhattan has criticized Vivus for the failed launch of weight loss drug Qsymia. The Food and Drug Administration approved Qsymia in July, and Vivus started selling the drug in September.
Rigel Slumps as AstraZeneca Ends Fostamatinib Deal
June 5, 2013 8:05 am | News | CommentsShares of Rigel Therapeutics Inc. fell to an all-time low Tuesday after its partner AstraZeneca decided not to file for marketing approval of fostamatinib, a rheumatoid arthritis drug Rigel developed. AstraZeneca said earlier studies of fostamatinib were promising, but the company reported results from late-stage studies Tuesday and said they did not measure up.
Judge Halts Royalty Pharma's Bid for Elan Stock
June 5, 2013 7:59 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsElan Corp.'s fight against a takeover bid by Royalty Pharma has spilled into U.S. federal court, where a judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Royalty from completing its offer to buy the Irish drugmaker. Royalty is a privately held New York company that buys royalty interests in drugs and late-stage drug candidates. It made an offer to buy Elan last month for $12.50 per share, or about $7.5 billion.
Bayer Completes Offer for Conceptus Shares
June 5, 2013 7:54 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBayer AG has acquired a majority stake in birth control maker Conceptus Inc. and expects its $1.1 billion purchase of the California company to be completed soon. Bayer said Wednesday that more than 96 percent of the company's outstanding shares were validly tendered and not withdrawn during an offer period that expired Tuesday.
Bristol-Myers, AstraZeneca Get Faster FDA Review
June 4, 2013 1:50 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBristol-Myers Squibb Co. and AstraZeneca PLC said Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration will conduct an accelerated review of their lipid disorder drug metreleptin. The companies want to market metreleptin as a treatment for metabolic disorders associated with rare forms of a condition called...
Core-Shell Media
June 4, 2013 1:43 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe widely used C8 phase delivers optimum retention for the analysis of hydrophobic and "sticky" compounds. In combination with Kinetex core-shell technology, this phase gives analysts an excellent high-performance reversed phase alternative for HPLC methods.
J&J Recalls 32M Contraceptive Packages Outside US
June 4, 2013 1:28 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsJohnson & Johnson is conducting a voluntary recall of millions of oral contraceptive packages in 43 countries outside the U.S., but says there's a "very low" risk that the flawed tablets could cause unplanned pregnancies. The birth control pills are being recalled — but only from pharmacies...
Round Separator
June 4, 2013 10:19 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe MX™ Vibro-Energy® round separator has a totally enclosed weight guard that prevents "reach-in" injuries. Making use of the appropriate motor, the MX also complies with ATEX Standards 94/9/EC. The open base construction allows for cleaning underneath the unit, preventing dirt and product build-up to occur.
New Drugs Raise Hope for MS Patients
June 4, 2013 8:44 am | Videos | CommentsTreatment for muscular dystrophy, which typically kills patients by their thirties, has not advanced much since the 1980’s. Wall Street Journal reporter Jonathon Rockoff talks about a new generation of drugs that promises to extend patient’s lives by years or decades.
More Children Poisoned by Prescription Pills
June 4, 2013 8:36 am | Videos | CommentsAs more adults use prescription drugs, the rate of children being poisoned by them has also dramatically increased. This report details how one family with two young daughters makes sure their prescription drugs stay out of their hands to prevent accidental poisoning.
Renaissance and GlaxoSmithKline Agree to a Transfer of Nine Products
June 4, 2013 8:16 am | News | CommentsRenaissance Acquisition Holdings, LLC, a RoundTable Healthcare Partners portfolio company, and GlaxoSmithKline announced today that they have entered into an agreement giving Renaissance the rights in the USA to manufacture, market and sell six dermatology and three anti-viral products from GSK.
Maxygen Board Approves Liquidation of Company
June 4, 2013 8:11 am | News | CommentsMaxygen said it will distribute $68.2 million to $69.6 million, or $2.45 to $2.50 per share, to its shareholders if they approve the liquidation. The company also said James Sulat will resign as CEO and chief financial officer on June 30, and company Chairman Isaac Stein will become its acting CEO and CFO.
