Content about Acquisition

November 16, 2011

SoloHealth, a consumer-driven healthcare technology company, on Wednesday said Stanley Blaylock, former Walgreens SVP and former president of Walgreens Health Services, will join SoloHealth’s board of directors.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth, a consumer-driven healthcare technology company, on Wednesday said Stanley Blaylock, former Walgreens SVP and former president of Walgreens Health Services, will join SoloHealth’s board of directors. The announcement comes as SoloHealth prepares for a nationwide rollout in 2012 of its next-generation, consumer health screening kiosk, the SoloHealth Station.

November 11, 2011

An appeals court has thrown out an attempt by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to stop Watson Pharmaceuticals from selling a generic contraceptive, Watson said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — An appeals court has thrown out an attempt by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to stop Watson Pharmaceuticals from selling a generic contraceptive, Watson said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court's June 16 decision to deny Duramed Pharmaceuticals' request for an injunction that would stop Watson from selling a generic version of Seasonique (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [0.15 mg/0.03 mg] and ethinyl estradiol [0.01 mg]). Duramed originally was a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, which Teva acquired in 2008.

November 9, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan has bought rights to a drug delivery platform made by Pfizer that will allow it to make generic versions of two GlaxoSmithKline respiratory drugs, Mylan said Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has bought rights to a drug delivery platform made by Pfizer that will allow it to make generic versions of two GlaxoSmithKline respiratory drugs, Mylan said Wednesday.

November 7, 2011

Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired Sarasota, Fla.-based WellSpring Pharmaceutical, the private equity firm said Monday.

NEW YORK — Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired Sarasota, Fla.-based WellSpring Pharmaceutical, the private equity firm said Monday.

Sentinel, which describes itself as investing in lower middle-market companies, said it bought the manufacturer of prescription and OTC drugs, which manufactures its products in Ontario, alongside Ancor Capital Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

November 4, 2011

Pacific World, a manufacturer of nail and beauty care products, has merged with W.E. Bassett Co., a supplier of beauty implements, creating the fifth-largest cosmetics company and second-largest nail care company by sales in food, drug and mass retailers nationwide.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Pacific World, a manufacturer of nail and beauty care products, has merged with W.E. Bassett Co., a supplier of beauty implements, creating the fifth-largest cosmetics company and second-largest nail care company by sales in food, drug and mass retailers nationwide.

November 3, 2011

Beauty supply retailer Sally Beauty Holdings has bolstered its presence in Europe by acquiring Kappersservice Floral B.V. and two related companies, Hair Zone B.V. and Exphair B.V. (the “Floral Group”).

DENTON, Texas — Beauty supply retailer Sally Beauty Holdings has bolstered its presence in Europe by acquiring Kappersservice Floral B.V. and two related companies, Hair Zone B.V. and Exphair B.V. (the “Floral Group”).

November 1, 2011

Trilantic Capital Partners, a global private equity firm, on Tuesday announced that it has partnered with management to acquire Implus, a leader in the footwear, outdoor and fitness accessories markets.

NEW YORK — Trilantic Capital Partners, a global private equity firm, on Tuesday announced that it has partnered with management to acquire Implus, a leader in the footwear, outdoor and fitness accessories markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

October 19, 2011

Concepts in Health on Wednesday reported it successfully has defended its MidNite Sleep Remedy patent from possible infringement by Contract Pharmacal, which had been manufacturing a store-brand version.

BLAUVELT, N.Y. — Concepts in Health on Wednesday reported it successfully has defended its MidNite Sleep Remedy patent from possible infringement by Contract Pharmacal, which had been manufacturing a store-brand version.

According to Concepts, Contract Pharmacal agreed to discontinue manufacturing and selling CVS Natural Sleep Aid or any substantially similar product. Additionally, CPC will not challenge the validity or enforceability of the MidNite patent (U.S. Patent 6,703,412).

October 19, 2011

Mylan's India-based subsidiary is changing its name, Mylan said Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan's India-based subsidiary is changing its name, Mylan said Wednesday.

The generic drug maker announced that Matrix Labs, based in Hyderabad, India, had formally changed its name to Mylan Labs.

"We are pleased to complete the name change from Matrix to a Mylan company and are excited to operate in India under one powerful brand," Mylan chairman and CEO Robert Coury said.

Mylan acquired Matrix in 2006.

October 18, 2011

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has acquired the rights to three generic drugs from another company.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has acquired the rights to three generic drugs from another company.

Par said it has acquired from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries the abbreviated new drug applications for fentanyl citrate lozenges and cyclobenzaprine ER capsules (generic versions of Actiq and Amrix, respectively), as well as the U.S. rights to market modafinil tablets, the generic version of Provigil. The acquired rights were in connection to Teva's acquisition of drug maker Cephalon, which was completed Friday.

October 11, 2011

The retirement of Katz Group Canada CEO Andy Giancamilli come February will mark the rise of pharmacy veteran Frank Scorpiniti, who will take the helm of the Canadian retailer.


MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The retirement of Katz Group Canada CEO Andy Giancamilli come February will mark the rise of pharmacy veteran Frank Scorpiniti, who will take the helm of the Canadian retailer.


Scorpiniti joined Katz Group Canada in April 2011 as COO. Long regarded as one of the bright young executives in retail pharmacy, Scorpiniti now will get a chance to lead a progressive Canadian pharmacy chain, with a hot new Rexall Healthy Living concept, a national presence under Rexall and a slew of innovative programs like the employer-based Rexall Network program.


October 7, 2011

Unilever’s Gina Boswell, who was recently appointed EVP personal care for North America, has been selected as a 2011 Achiever of the Year, one of the highest awards bestowed in the beauty industry, by nonprofit Cosmetic Executive Women.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Gina Boswell, who was recently appointed EVP personal care for North America, has been selected as a 2011 Achiever of the Year, one of the highest awards bestowed in the beauty industry, by nonprofit Cosmetic Executive Women.

This year’s honorees will be feted Oct. 14 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

October 5, 2011

AccuDial Pharmaceutical on Tuesday acquired Stephen Key Design in a move that will expand AccuDial’s patent portfolio to more than 50 patents for weight-based dosing and other extended content rotating labels, which add 75% more labeling space to a container.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — AccuDial Pharmaceutical on Tuesday acquired Stephen Key Design in a move that will expand AccuDial’s patent portfolio to more than 50 patents for weight-based dosing and other extended content rotating labels, which add 75% more labeling space to a container.

September 27, 2011

AmerisourceBergen on Tuesday purchased TheraCom, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark that provides a wide range of support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug manufacturers, including consulting and reimbursement services, for $250 million.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen on Tuesday purchased TheraCom, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark that provides a wide range of support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug manufacturers, including consulting and reimbursement services, for $250 million.

TheraCom is a provider of commercialization support services to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, specifically, providing reimbursement and patient access support services, and will join Lash Group as part of AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services.

September 21, 2011

The offering period for Pfizer's acquisition of Icagen has expired, allowing the former to purchase more than 5 million shares in the company, Pfizer said.

NEW YORK — The offering period for Pfizer's acquisition of Icagen has expired, allowing the former to purchase more than 5 million shares in the company, Pfizer said.

Pfizer said that as of Monday, 5.4 million shares of Icagen had been put up for sale. Along with the 1.1 million shares Pfizer already owns, this would give it control of 70.2% of Icagen, which develops drugs for pain and other conditions. Pfizer plans to acquire the remaining shares as well.

September 15, 2011

Insight Pharmaceuticals recently acquired the Monistat North American brand portfolio from McNeil and is establishing itself as the premier distributor of women's health over-the-counter products.

LANGHORNE, Pa. — Insight Pharmaceuticals recently acquired the Monistat North American brand portfolio from McNeil and is establishing itself as the premier distributor of women's health over-the-counter products.

September 15, 2011

Wal-Mart Stores marked a major investment in social media and marketing with the announcement Wednesday that its technology unit @WalmartLabs has acquired mobile and social advertising firm OneRiot.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Wal-Mart Stores marked a major investment in social media and marketing with the announcement Wednesday that its technology unit @WalmartLabs has acquired mobile and social advertising firm OneRiot.

September 12, 2011

McKesson on Monday announced the creation of a new division: McKesson Specialty Health.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — McKesson on Monday announced the creation of a new division: McKesson Specialty Health.

Less than a year ago, McKesson Corporation acquired US Oncology with a vision of enhancing its customer offerings. Through integrated technology offerings, including iKnowMed, a top-ranked Web-based oncology electronic health record, and the Lynx Mobile drug inventory management system, McKesson Specialty Health hopes to improve the financial health of its customers, while empowering them to advance the science, quality and efficiency of patient care.

September 12, 2011

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has named Ralph Neas as its new president and CEO.

EXECUTIVE NEWS — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has named Ralph Neas as its new president and CEO. Neas, currently president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care, replaces Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of GPhA in May 2010 after eight years with the organization. The GPhA said it planned to spend September introducing Neas to stakeholders in a broad outreach effort.


September 8, 2011

Merck KGaA announced that Robert Yates was named president of Merck Millipore, the drug maker's life science division.

DARMSTADT, Germany — Merck KGaA announced that Robert Yates was named president of Merck Millipore, the drug maker's life science division.

Yates will report to Bernd Reckmann, who leads the company's chemicals business sector, which includes the Merck Millipore and performance materials division. Millipore was acquired by Merck in July 2010.

Prior to his new role, Yates worked at Roche for 22 years, most recently in Roche's diagnostics division, where he led the life sciences business in Penzberg, Germany.

September 6, 2011

Pfizer has completed its initial cash tender offer for all the shares of drug maker Icagen that it doesn't already own, Pfizer said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer has completed its initial cash tender offer for all the shares of drug maker Icagen that it doesn't already own, Pfizer said Tuesday.

Pfizer, which already owns an 11% stake in Icagen, announced Thursday that it would acquire a majority stake in the company. As of Friday, when the initial tender offer period expired, about 4.6 million shares of Icagen had been put up for sale; combined with Pfizer's existing stake, this represents about 64% of the North Carolina-based maker of drugs for pain, epilepsy and inflammation.

September 1, 2011

Pfizer and Dr. Reddy's have reached a settlement over the latter's efforts to launch a generic version of the world's top-selling drug, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pfizer and Dr. Reddy's have reached a settlement over the latter's efforts to launch a generic version of the world's top-selling drug, according to published reports.

August 24, 2011

The final outcome of the battle between Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to buy Cephalon serves as a good illustration of why it helps to have a plan B.


The final outcome of the battle between Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to buy Cephalon serves as a good illustration of why it helps to have a plan B.


In May, Teva beat out Valeant’s $5.7 billion offer to buy Frazier, Pa.-based Cephalon with a $6.8 billion offer of its own, acquiring Cephalon’s hefty pipeline in the process. And last month, Teva bought Taiyo Pharmaceutical Industry, Japan’s third-largest generics company, for $934 million.


August 24, 2011

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. will acquire Anchen Pharmaceuticals for $410 million, Par said Wednesday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. will acquire Anchen Pharmaceuticals for $410 million, Par said Wednesday.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Anchen is a privately owned generic drug maker that expects to launch eight to 10 new generic drugs over the next two years. Par plans to finance the acquisition with a $350 million term loan and cash it already has.

August 19, 2011

While Indian generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is expected by many to launch a generic version of a cholesterol drug made by Pfizer later this year, it may have to sell its rights to it if it can't win Food and Drug Administration approval in time, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — While Indian generic drug maker Ranbaxy Labs is expected by many to launch a generic version of a cholesterol drug made by Pfizer later this year, it may have to sell its rights to it if it can't win Food and Drug Administration approval in time, according to published reports.

Citing Credit Suisse analysts, Bloomberg reported that the FDA may delay approval of Ranbaxy's version of Lipitor (atorvastatin), which would prevent it from marketing the drug starting Nov. 30, as it has planned to do.