World Pharma News

Amgen Announces Overall Survival Results for Vectibix(R) in First-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

2009-11-06T00:01:00+01:00

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced that the Phase 3 PRIME "203" trial evaluating Vectibix� (panitumumab) administered in combination with FOLFOX (an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy) as a first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) failed to meet a secondary endpoint of overall survival.

Novartis to expand its human vaccines presence in China

2009-11-06T00:00:00+01:00

Novartis has reached an agreement to acquire an 85% stake in the Chinese vaccines company Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as part of a strategic initiative to build a vaccines industry leader in this country and expand the Group's limited presence in this fast-growing market segment.

New Merck Begins Operations

2009-11-05T00:00:00+01:00

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck's merger with Schering-Plough Corporation. The new Merck is a global health care leader aimed at providing innovative, distinctive products and services that save and improve lives, while satisfying customer needs and creating long term shareholder value.

World's largest malaria vaccine trial now underway in seven African countries

2009-11-04T00:03:00+01:00

A pivotal efficacy trial of RTS,S, the world's most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate, is now underway in seven African countries: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The trial, which is expected to involve up to 16,000 children, is on schedule, with more than 5,000 children already enrolled, researchers announced Tuesday at the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Pan-African Malaria Conference.

Novartis announces USD 1 billion investment to build largest pharmaceutical R&D institute in China

2009-11-04T00:02:00+01:00

Novartis announced a USD 1 billion investment over the next five years, increasing R&D activities in China and confirming Novartis' long term commitment to China's further economic development, health reform and improving the health care of the Chinese people. The Novartis investment will include a significant expansion of The Novartis Institute of BioMedical Research (CNIBR) in Shanghai.

Pfizer and Medivation Initiate Two Phase 3 Trials of Dimebon

2009-11-04T00:01:00+01:00

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) and Medivation, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDVN) announced the initiation of CONTACT and CONSTELLATION, two Phase 3 trials of the investigational drug dimebon (latrepirdine)* in patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Abbott Completes Acquisition of Evalve, Inc.

2009-11-04T00:00:00+01:00

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has completed its acquisition of Evalve, Inc., the global leader in the development of devices for minimally invasive repair of mitral valves. The acquisition provides Abbott with a leading presence in the growing area of non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease.

Sanofi-aventis delivers a solid performance in third quarter 2009

2009-11-03T00:00:00+01:00

In the third quarter of 2009, sanofi-aventis generated net sales of €7,400 million, up 8.0% on a reported basis. Exchange rate movements had a favorable effect of 2.0 percentage points, with the appreciation of the U.S. dollar (and to a lesser extent the yen) against the euro more than offsetting the unfavorable effects of some other currencies.

Lilly CEO Lechleiter Calls for Repair of the 'Engine of Biopharma Innovation'

2009-11-02T00:01:00+01:00

In a speech to the City Club of San Diego, John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), said that the engine of biopharmaceutical innovation is "broken." He offered a vision for biopharmaceutical companies to "reinvent innovation" to make the most of today's wealth of scientific knowledge to benefit patients and address unmet medical needs.

Novartis on track to deliver Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine for the US

2009-11-02T00:00:00+01:00

Novartis has shipped over 7.5 million doses of Influenza A(H1N1)[1] vaccine ready to use and expects 25 to 30 million doses of unadjuvanted vaccine to become available in pre-filled syringes and multi-dose vials by the end of November. Smaller changes in delivery timelines and volumes can result out of the variability of the underlying biological production process. The deliveries are in line with commitments made to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).