World Pharma News

Bayer acquires exclusive rights to Bioton's insulin SciLin�

2009-07-10T00:01:00+01:00

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, has signed an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with the Polish insulin producer Bioton S.A. and Bioton's Singaporean subsidiary, SciGen, to strengthen its pharmaceutical product portfolio. For an up-front payment of 31 million Euros, Bayer acquires the exclusive right to market and distribute insulin produced by Bioton under the trade name of SciLin� in China.

Denosumab Demonstrates Superiority Over Zometa(R) in Pivotal Phase 3 Head-to-Head Trial

2009-07-10T00:00:00+01:00

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) announced that a pivotal, Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,049 patients with advanced breast cancer met its primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Zometa.

AstraZeneca to Advance AZD3480 in ADHD

2009-07-09T00:01:00+01:00

AstraZeneca plans to conduct further development of AZD3480 by initiating Phase IIb studies in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has agreed to make a $10 million milestone payment to Targacept. AstraZeneca also plans to continue development of AZD1446 (TC-6683) for Alzheimer's disease. AZD1446 is currently in Phase 1 and was discovered in the ongoing AstraZeneca-Targacept research collaboration.

Bayer submits first-in-class estradiol-based oral contraceptive for approval in the US

2009-07-09T00:00:00+01:00

Bayer has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new estradiol-based oral contraceptive (estradiol valerate/dienogest). It seeks approval for the indications oral contraception and treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding. The new product with an estradiol valerate/dienogest combination is the first in a new class of oral contraceptives to deliver estradiol, the estrogen identical to the one produced by the female body.

FDA Takes Actions on Darvon, Other Pain Medications Containing Propoxyphene

2009-07-08T00:00:00+01:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking several actions to reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The actions were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal overdoses.

Lundbeck strengthens its research capabilities by acquiring ground-breaking Danish technologies

2009-07-07T22:30:50+01:00

Through the acquisition of the Aarhus-based biotech company NeuronIcon, Lundbeck will gain ownership of technologies that may lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of brain damage following strokes or similar events. The acquisition is the result of Lundbeck's intensified collaboration with universities in Denmark and abroad.

Top 10 Tips for Staying Healthy When Money is Tight

2009-07-07T00:00:00+01:00

Several area health care organizations agree that today's tough economic times can make staying healthy a challenge. The organizations provided tips for Ohioans to stay healthy. Those organizations are: The Athletic Club of Columbus, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Dietetic Association, Lilly USA, Mental Health America of Franklin County, NAMI Ohio, Ohio Association of Free Clinics, Ohio Department of Health and Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Phase III Study Showed Lucentis Improved Vision in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

2009-07-06T22:02:57+01:00

Roche announced that the Phase III study BRAVO showed Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) improved vision, as measured by the primary endpoint of mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity at six months, in patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. The safety profile of Lucentis was consistent with previous experience and no new adverse events related to Lucentis were observed in the study.

GSK further extends its product portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa

2009-07-06T00:00:00+01:00

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has acquired the branded generics business of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Yemen for a cash consideration of $23.2m (�14.2m).

Lu AA24530 shows positive results in major depressive disorder phase II study

2009-07-04T00:00:00+01:00

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) today announced positive headline results from a dose finding clinical trial with the compound Lu AA24530 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).