Content about Acquisition

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.

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.

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”).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.