Content about Biotechnology

November 4, 2011

In the classic “Arabian Nights” tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp, the evil sorcerer who made Aladdin retrieve the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by tricking Aladdin’s wife into giving it to him by roaming through the streets offering to trade “new lamps for old.”


In the classic “Arabian Nights” tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp, the evil sorcerer who made Aladdin retrieve the lamp containing the genie attempts to get it back by tricking Aladdin’s wife into giving it to him by roaming through the streets offering to trade “new lamps for old.”


November 4, 2011

In September, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced the appointment of Ralph Neas — former president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care — as its new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of the organization in May 2010.

In September, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced the appointment of Ralph Neas — former president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care — as its new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of the organization in May 2010. Drug Store News recently spoke with Neas about his plans and vision for the organization and the industry as a whole.


October 31, 2011

Watson Pharmaceuticals and a partnering company are barred from launching a generic version of a blood-thinning drug under a federal court decision issued Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals and a partnering company are barred from launching a generic version of a blood-thinning drug under a federal court decision issued Friday.

October 28, 2011

EO Products, a manufacturer of natural and organic body care, has announced that its entire line of soaps and lotions has received NON-GMO verification from the NON-GMO Project.

CORTE MADERA, Calif. — EO Products, a manufacturer of natural and organic body care, has announced that its entire line of soaps and lotions has received NON-GMO verification from the NON-GMO Project.

The Non-GMO Project offers third-party verification for products produced according to rigorous best practices for GMO (genetically modified organism) avoidance.

October 3, 2011

Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts has launched a suite of services for drug makers through HealthBridge Pharma & Biotech to provide a single-solution approach to patient care.

ST. LOUIS — Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts has launched a suite of services for drug makers through HealthBridge Pharma & Biotech to provide a single-solution approach to patient care.

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 12, 2011

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone.

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone. As patents on these blockbuster drugs have expired, they’ve provided generic manufacturers with enormous revenues, helping some to join the ranks of the world’s biggest drug companies.


September 12, 2011

At press time, Hurricane Irene was slowly barreling toward the East Coast and threatening the area with a deluge that prompted cities to shut down and had store shelves wiped clean.


At press time, Hurricane Irene was slowly barreling toward the East Coast and threatening the area with a deluge that prompted cities to shut down and had store shelves wiped clean.


September 1, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a follow-on biologic made by Sandoz.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a follow-on biologic made by Sandoz.

Sandoz, the generic drugs arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of Omnitrope (somatropin [rDNA origin]) for children with growth failure due to Turner syndrome. Sandoz said Omnitrope was now approved for all the same indications as the reference product, Pfizer's Genotropin.

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 18, 2011

With the global biosimilars market expected to expand nearly sixfold by the middle of the decade, market research firm IMS Health is launching a market-measurement tool for drug makers interested in getting into the space, the company said.

DANBURY, Conn. — With the global biosimilars market expected to expand nearly sixfold by the middle of the decade, market research firm IMS Health is launching a market-measurement tool for drug makers interested in getting into the space, the company said.

August 2, 2011

The VP distribution operations for Omnicare's RxCrossroads business has stepped into a new role, Omnicare announced Tuesday.

COVINGTON, Ky. — The VP distribution operations for Omnicare's RxCrossroads business has stepped into a new role, Omnicare announced Tuesday.

Dan Thomas was appointed to the role of SVP and general manager for RxCrossroads, an Omnicare division that provides specialized solutions specifically tailored to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Thomas, who has worked in the unit for 27 years, will have full operational responsibility in his new role and report to Nitin Sahney, EVP and president of Omnicare’s Specialty Care Group.

July 28, 2011

The president and CEO of Sanofi's U.S. operations is stepping into a newly created role at the drug maker.

PARIS — The president and CEO of Sanofi's U.S. operations is stepping into a newly created role at the drug maker.

Greg Irace will become SVP global services, leading the global information systems function and will be responsible for shared support functions across all Sanofi businesses in North America. He also will play a key role in the development of a global strategy for shared services. Irace will report to Jérôme Contamine, Sanofi EVP and CFO.

June 28, 2011

Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal said that it has acquired marketing and distribution rights to pain treatments made by Atley Pharmaceuticals.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal said that it has acquired marketing and distribution rights to pain treatments made by Atley Pharmaceuticals.

Hi-Tech, which paid $3.6 million in cash for rights to the products and inventory, said some of Atley's drugs already have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, while others were pending approval. The company didn't say which products it was acquiring the rights to, but noted that Hi-Tech subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals will produce and promote the products.

June 28, 2011

Eli Lilly will invest funds into its existing biotechnology capabilities to further research and development of multispecific therapeutics.

WASHINGTON — Eli Lilly will invest funds into its existing biotechnology capabilities to further research and development of multispecific therapeutics.

June 20, 2011

A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts has recommended approval of an investigational biotech drug made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for eye diseases.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts has recommended approval of an investigational biotech drug made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for eye diseases.

Regeneron said Friday that the FDA’s Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of Eylea (aflibercept) ophthalmic solution for the treatment of a form of age-related macular degeneration, also known as wet AMD. The disease causes abnormal growth of new blood vessels in the eye.

June 20, 2011

The overall growth in drug spending for 2010 was 3.7%, according to the latest drug trend report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions. The lower increase 
was primarily due to higher rates of generic drug dispensing — more than 71% of drugs dispensed were generics. 


June 13, 2011

Merck will collaborate with a Korean manufacturer to develop a biosimilar version of a drug used for autoimmune diseases.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck will collaborate with a Korean manufacturer to develop a biosimilar version of a drug used for autoimmune diseases.

Merck, which operates outside the United States and Canada as MSD to avoid confusion with Germany-based Merck KGaA, announced Monday a collaboration with Seoul, South Korea-based Hanwha Chemical to develop and commercialize HD203, a biosimilar version of Enbrel (etanercept), made by Amgen and Pfizer. The drug is used to treat such disorders as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

May 26, 2011

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to file for regulatory approval for 11 new drugs between 2011 and 2015, the company said Thursday in relation to a meeting between J&J’s executive committee and investors.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to file for regulatory approval for 11 new drugs between 2011 and 2015, the company said Thursday in relation to a meeting between J&J’s executive committee and investors.

May 24, 2011

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has appointed Sean Darragh as EVP global strategies, a newly created position within the association, the organization's president and CEO announced.

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has appointed Sean Darragh as EVP global strategies, a newly created position within the association, the organization's president and CEO announced.

The EVP global strategies is responsible for expanding GMA’s international program by defining and effectively executing a global policy and advocacy strategy that is fully integrated into the GMA strategic plan, the association reported.

May 18, 2011

Global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.1 trillion by 2015, according to a new study by market research firm IMS Health.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.1 trillion by 2015, according to a new study by market research firm IMS Health.

May 11, 2011

Patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who respond to 12 weeks of treatment with a drug made by UCB are more likely to show improvement in their condition in the long run, according to results of a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology.

BRUSSELS — Patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who respond to 12 weeks of treatment with a drug made by UCB are more likely to show improvement in their condition in the long run, according to results of a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology.

May 4, 2011

Novartis is making big investments in biosimilars, CEO Joe Jimenez said in an interview with Fortune magazine.

NEW YORK — Novartis is making big investments in biosimilars, CEO Joe Jimenez said in an interview with Fortune magazine.

Jimenez told Fortune that the Swiss drug maker — which markets generics and biosimilars through its Sandoz division — was investing heavily in biosimilars and difficult-to-make generics for such conditions as cancer and respiratory disorders.

April 21, 2011

Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first company to market a generic treatment for cholesterol.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first company to market a generic treatment for cholesterol.

The drug maker said Wednesday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Welchol (colesevelam hydrochloride) tablets in the 625-mg strength, made by Daiichi Sankyo, thus challenging the patents covering the drug.

April 19, 2011

The Food Marketing Institute said Tuesday that it has appointed Robert Rosado as director of government relations.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute said Tuesday that it has appointed Robert Rosado as director of government relations.

According to FMI, Rosado will focus on legislation that impacts supermarkets in the areas of food safety, health care, food deserts and the 2012 Farm Bill.

“Rob has a broad range of expertise in food and agriculture that will be very helpful to FMI and its members. His background also includes working with federal agencies on many issues related to the food retail industry,” FMI president and CEO Leslie Sarasin said.