Content about Cephalon

JERUSALEM — Net revenues for Teva rose more than 24% for the first quarter ended March 31, thanks to new drug launches and the company's acquisition of drug maker Cephalon.

First-quarter net revenues totaled $5.1 billion, compared with $4.1 billion in the year-ago period, while net income and earnings per share totaled $1.3 billion and $1.47 diluted earnings per share, an increase of 39% and 41%, respectively, compared with first quarter 2011.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical has started shipping its generic version of a drug for sleep disorders, the company said Friday.

Par announced the launch of a generic version of Provigil (modafinil), used to treat such sleep disorders as narcolepsy and work shift sleep disorder.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched an authorized generic version of Cephalon's Provigil, used for conditions like shift work sleep disorder and narcolepsy, the company said Friday.

Teva acquired Cephalon for $6.8 billion in October 2011. An authorized generic is the branded drug marketed under its generic name at a reduced price.

Provigil had annual sales of about $1.1 billion, according to IMS Health.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is streamlining the enrollment process for risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for a class of painkillers, the agency said Tuesday.

JERUSALEM — The Federal Trade Commission has given Teva Pharmaceutical Industries the green light to acquire Frazer, Pa.-based drug maker Cephalon, but with some restrictions, Teva said.

Before it can complete the $6.8 billion deal, Teva must sell to Par Pharmaceutical Cos. its generic versions of two Cephalon drugs, namely generic versions of the cancer pain drug Actiq (fentanyl citrate) and the muscle relaxant drug Amrix (cyclobenzaprine), which have combined sales of $298 million per year, according to IMS Health.

FRAZER, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for two painkillers made by Cephalon, the drug maker said Thursday.

The FDA approved a REMS for Fentora (fentanyl) buccal tablets and Actiq (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate). Both drugs are used for managing breakthrough pain in cancer patients who have become tolerant of opioid drugs.

JERUSALEM and FRAZER, Pa. — Before they can move ahead with their deal, drug makers Teva and Cephalon must provide the Federal Trade Commission with additional information related to Teva's pending acquisition of Cephalon.

JERUSALEM — Cephalon has another suitor in the form of the world’s largest generic drug company.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said Monday that it would buy Frazer, Pa.-based Cephalon for $6.8 billion, undercutting efforts by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which had offered $5.7 billion in March.

The boards of both companies have agreed to the acquisition, equal to $81.50 per share. Cephalon previously had turned down Valeant’s offer, prompting the Mississauga, Ontario-based company to take its case directly to Cephalon’s shareholders.

FRAZER, Pa. — Cephalon has lodged a bidder’s statement to acquire Australian drug maker ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals for $167 million, Cephalon said Wednesday.

Cephalon, which said its offer of 70 Australian cents per share represented a premium of nearly 60% over ChemGenex’s stock price as of March 29, said the Australian company’s directors had unanimously recommended approval of the acquisition. ChemGenex specializes in developing treatments for cancer.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A generic painkiller made by Watson Pharmaceuticals infringes a patent covering the branded version, a U.S. District Court ruled.

Watson said Friday that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware decided that Watson’s generic version of Cephalon’s Fentora (fentanyl) buccal tablets infringes U.S. Patent No. 6,264,981, though the Food and Drug Administration had approved Watson’s version of the drug.

FRAZER, Pa. — Cephalon plans to acquire a privately owned company developing treatments for cancer, Cephalon said Monday.

The Frazer, Pa.-based drug maker said it would pay $225 million upfront for Malvern, Pa.-based Gemin X, and Gemin X stockholders would be eligible to receive up to $300 million in milestone payments related to products under development.

Gemin X specializes in cancer treatments that target and kill cancer cells. Its lead product is GX15-070 (obatoclax), currently in phase-2b clinical development as a treatment for small cell lung cancer.

SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals for cancer-related breakthrough pain, Watson said. The drug is a generic version of Cephalon’s Fentora, which had sales of around $179 million during the 12-month period ended in November 2010, according to IMS Health.