Content about Biotechnology

JERUSALEM — Drug makers Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Active Biotech will start a third late-stage clinical trial of an experimental drug for treating multiple sclerosis, the companies said Wednesday.

Israel-based Teva and Sweden-based Active Biotech said they would start a phase-3 trial of laquinimod for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, also known as RRMS, following an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration.

WASHINGTON — Use of generic drugs has saved consumers and the healthcare system $1 trillion over the past decade, according to a new study released Thursday by a generic drug industry trade organization.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association said that between 2002 and 2011, generics saved the country $1 billion every other day, totaling $193 billion in 2011.

PHILADELPHIA — Following regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, GlaxoSmithKline confirmed it has begun shipping the first lots of its 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccines to healthcare providers and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distribution centers.

The beer category wants its mojo back. After losing share to wine, spirits and small breweries for several years, major brewers are out to win consumers back to the category with new products that are a big departure from their classic offerings.

The success of Bud Light Platinum, with its higher alcohol content and sweeter taste, has sparked a flurry of flavored malt beverages into the beer market. This year alone, Anheuser-Busch InBev is launching nearly 20 new products to the U.S. market.

HYDERABAD, India — A generic drug maker in India and a German pharmaceutical company will collaborate to develop biosimilars.

Dr. Reddy's Labs and Merck KGaA subsidiary Merck Serono announced a partnership to develop biosimilar cancer treatments, most of them monoclonal antibodies, for global markets. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck KGaA operates in the United States under the name EMD to distinguish itself from U.S. drug maker Merck.

NEW YORK — Legislation proposed in the House of Representatives would speed up Food and Drug Administration approval of knock-off versions of vaccines and other biologics while requiring the agency to conduct more inspections of drug factories overseas, according to published reports.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the bills, sponsored by Republican Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, would create an expedited FDA approval pathway for follow-on versions of biogenetic medications such as vaccines and drugs made from human tissue and plasma.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Scientists at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute’s Nutrition and Metabolism Center have developed a low-calorie, fruit-based high-fiber vitamin and mineral nutrition bar called the CHORI-bar that improves biological indicators — the bar increased HDL cholesterol and glutathione but lowered homocysteine — linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and associated decline in antioxidant defenses, the group reported Wednesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With new Massachusetts state regulations allowing pharmacists to administer a broad range of immunizations, Walgreens has significantly expanded vaccine availability at all of its 165 locations across the state, and now is offering immunizations daily for 12 vaccines currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the retail pharmacy operator announced Wednesday.
  

NEW YORK — According to the latest numbers, the country's economy is slowly growing, while unemployment has been slowly declining. But while growth has been somewhat less than stellar, 10 industries have outpaced the rest of the economy, including generic drugs.

WASHINGTON — Drug companies invested nearly $50 billion in research and development in 2011, according to a new report by a drug industry trade group.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

The deal includes the acquisition of KAI-4169, an experimental drug Kai is developing for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Amgen has provided a loan to fund phase-3 clinical studies of the drug and will acquire rights to it worldwide, except for Japan.

NEW YORK — Another generic drug maker has joined efforts to challenge the patent on a drug made by Forest Labs for treating hypertension.