Pharmaceutical Processing - News

Antibiotic linked with rare but deadly heart risk

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:17:41 GMT

An antibiotic widely used for bronchitis and other common infections seems to increase chances for sudden deadly heart problems, a rare but surprising risk found in a 14-year study.Zithromax, or azithromycin, is more expensive than other antibiotics, but it's popular because it often can be...

WHO and PAHO honor efforts to counter the actions of the tobacco industry in the Americas

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:21:35 GMT

In observance of World No Tobacco Day, May 31, the World Health Organization...

NIH-funded research provides new clues on how ApoE4 affects Alzheimer's risk

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:21:30 GMT

Common variants of the ApoE gene are strongly associated with the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease, but the gene's role in the disease has been unclear. Now, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have found that in mice, having the most risky variant of...

Paralyzed individuals use thought-controlled robotic arm to reach and grasp

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:21:22 GMT

In an ongoing clinical trial, a paralyzed woman was able to reach for and sip from a drink on her own -- for the first time in nearly 15 years -- by using her thoughts to direct a robotic arm. The trial, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, is evaluating the safety and...

Fette Compacting Opens Competence Center for Tableting Technology

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:05:06 GMT

This April, FETTE COMPACTING, a subsidiary of the LMT Group, opened a competence center for tableting technology in Brazil. Based in Campinas, not far from São Paulo.

Former McDonald's exec joins Dunkin' Brands board

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:17:10 GMT

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. has named a former McDonald's Corp. executive to its board of directors.The parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins said Wednesday that Raul Alvarez is joining its board. Alvarez, 56, previously served as McDonald's president and chief operating officer. He...

GlaxoSmithKline closes on Theravance deal

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:17:27 GMT

British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC has closed on a deal that boosts its interest in biotechnology company Theravance Inc. by 10 million shares.Theravance's shareholders approved the transaction on Tuesday.Last month GlaxoSmithKline said that it would buy the 10 million shares at $21.29...

Protesters disrupt WellPoint annual meeting

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:17:20 GMT

WellPoint Inc. shareholders rejected a call for more disclosure about the health insurer's political contributions Wednesday during a shout-filled, contentious annual meeting.Union representatives and other protesters repeatedly interrupted Chairwoman and CEO Angela Braly after she opened the...

Baxter Announces ADVATE Approval in China for the Treatment of Hemophilia A

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:21:36 GMT

DEERFIELD, Ill, May 16, 2012- Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) today announced the approval of ADVATE [Recombinant Human Coagulation Factor VIII for injection] for the control and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes in individuals with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII...

Panel Backs First Rapid, Take Home HIV Test

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:47:03 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers may soon be able to test themselves for the virus that causes AIDS in the privacy of their own homes, after a panel of experts on Tuesday recommended approval of the first rapid, over-the-counter HIV test.

Avalanche Biotechnologies and Lonza Announce Global Manufacturing Collaboration

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:22:22 GMT

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. and Lonza today announced a manufacturing collaboration focused on process development and scale-up efforts for the manufacturing of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene therapy.

Intuitive Bio Acquires Assets of Gentel Biosciences

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:15:48 GMT

Intuitive Biosciences, Inc. is pleased to announce its agreement to acquire the animal health and research tools assets and businesses of Gentel Biosciences. Intuitive is focused on serological tests for animal health and research and testing tools for the pharmaceutical, CRO, and academic research markets.

Scientists Hunt Ways to Stall Alzheimer's Earlier

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:08:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Look for a fundamental shift in how scientists hunt ways to ward off the devastation of Alzheimer's disease — by testing possible therapies in people who don't yet show many symptoms, before too much of the brain is destroyed.

Arena Pharma Says it Plans New Stock Offering

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:58:50 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday it plans to raise money by selling common stock in a public offering.

India's Piramal to buy US healthcare company

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:17:30 GMT

India's Piramal Healthcare said Wednesday it will buy Decision Resources Group, a U.S. healthcare information company, for 34 billion rupees ($635 million), as it slowly taps its cashpile for overseas acquisitions.Piramal's cautious deployment of $3.8 billion from the sale of its mainstay...

Activist firm takes $600 million stake in PepsiCo

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:17:31 GMT

Activist investor Ralph Whitworth said Tuesday that his firm has taken a $600 million stake in PepsiCo Inc., a move that could ramp up pressure on the company to make changes.PepsiCo has faced investor dissatisfaction in recent years over its underperforming stock price and loss of market share...

Avon finally calling, but Coty slams the door

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:17:14 GMT

Shares of Avon Products Inc. almost 11 percent Tuesday after the smaller beauty products maker Coty Inc. dropped its $10.7 billion takeover bid.Privately held Coty first made an offer for Avon Products public on April 2, and the relationship was contentious from the start. Avon said that offer...

Bristol-Myers says FDA clears Mass. plant

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:17:30 GMT

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration approved a new manufacturing plant where the company will produce its rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia.The plant is in Devens, Mass. Bristol-Myers said about 300 scientists, engineers, quality specialists and other...

Walgreen Adds 300 Drugs to its Value-Priced Generics Category

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:04:32 GMT

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Drugstore chain Walgreen Co. is beefing up its Prescription Savings Club program for customers by expanding the discounts it offers on generic drugs, vaccines and other items.

Achillion Gets FDA Incentives for Hepatitis C Drug

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:56:00 GMT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday it will receive incentives from regulators as it studies a new experimental treatment for the hepatitis C virus.

Health Canada Advises Caution When Selling or Buying Products at Garage Sales

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:21:20 GMT

Health Canada is reminding you to put safety ahead of savings and to use caution when buying or selling items at garage sales or second-hand stores, particularly if they are intended for use by children.

FTC Approves Final Settlement with CVS Caremark

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:21:09 GMT

Following a public comment period, the FTC has accepted as final an order with CVS Caremark settling charges that it misrepresented the prices of certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs, including drugs used to treat breast cancer symptoms and epilepsy, at CVS and Walgreens pharmacies.

FDA Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb Devens Biologics Manufacturing Facility for Production of ORENCIA®

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:11:41 GMT

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced today that the FDA has approved the company’s biologics manufacturing facility in Devens, Massachusetts for commercial production of ORENCIA® (abatacept).

Countries of the Americas promote integrated action to eliminate neglected diseases

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:21:23 GMT

More than 100 million people in the Americas suffer from neglected infectious diseases, which...

Cowher joins campaign to educate about melanoma

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:17:12 GMT

Bill Cowher wants to teach men about melanoma, a disease whose ravages he knows all too well.The Super Bowl-winning coach's wife died of the form of skin cancer in 2010. Now Cowher is the spokesman for a campaign called "Melanoma Exposed." Launched Tuesday, it seeks to educate all Americans —...

NINR welcomes five new members to the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:21:20 GMT

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) announces five new members to the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR), the institute's principal advisory board. Members of the council are drawn from the scientific and lay communities, embodying a diverse perspective...

Cardinal Health Brings Resolution to Litigation with DEA Settlement

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:35:24 GMT

Cardinal Health today said it had agreed to a settlement with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that allows the company to bring resolution to ongoing litigation.

Servier Lawyers Argue Diabetes-Diet Drug Scandal Trial Should Be Halted

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:14:57 GMT

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Lawyers for a French pharmaceutical group suspected in the deaths of at least 500 people argued Monday that a trial against their client should be halted as two separate cases should be rolled into one before the court can proceed.

Hospira Recalling One Lot of Pain Injections

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:10:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators are warning doctors in an online posting that one lot of injectable painkillers from Hospira may contain too much of the drug

Clock Ticking With New Plan to Fight Alzheimer's

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:03:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The clock is ticking: The first National Alzheimer's Plan sets a deadline of 2025 to finally find effective ways to treat, or at least stall, the mind-destroying disease.