Content about Illinois

January 6, 2011

It seems that Kraft Foods' Huddle to Fight Hunger program has reached the end zone.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — It seems that Kraft Foods' Huddle to Fight Hunger program has reached the end zone.

Kraft said it plans to announce the donation of the monetary equivalent of more than 20 million meals to Feeding America during the inaugural Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl this weekend.

January 6, 2011

Redbox, with the help of Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popping corn, is encouraging Facebook fans to go head-to-head with film critic Richard Roeper to predict this season's movie award winners.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox, with the help of Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popping corn, is encouraging Facebook fans to go head-to-head with film critic Richard Roeper to predict this season's movie award winners.

January 5, 2011

Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

The chain said that Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.5 percentage points.

Meanwhile, Walgreens also raked in a 9.5% increase for its total front-end sales, thanks to a spike in customer traffic and basket size. Pharmacy sales for the chain, which accounted for 58.6% of total sales for the month, saw a 6% boost.

January 5, 2011

Pactiv is rolling out a line of compostable paper plates for its Hefty brand.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Pactiv is rolling out a line of compostable paper plates for its Hefty brand.

Hefty Basics are disposable paper plates that have the strength to support almost any meal. The plates are biodegradable in home composting and are microwavable, Pactiv said.

The plates are available at select grocery stores throughout the Northeast region of the United States in 45-count, 8 and 5/8-in. lunch plate packages and 24-count, 10 and 1/4-in. dinner plate packages.

January 5, 2011

Hisamitsu America earlier this week announced the release of two videos featuring an Obama look-alike applying Salonpas to ease the aches and pains of a “presidential magnitude.”

HONOLULU — Hisamitsu America earlier this week announced the release of two videos featuring an Obama look-alike applying Salonpas to ease the aches and pains of a “presidential magnitude.”

Hisamitsu noted it may be the first pharma company to use a parody of President Obama in its advertising, a controversial factor that should help generate a buzz around the videos.

January 4, 2011

Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

Deidra Cheeks Merriwether now holds the title of SVP and president of retail services, succeeding James Haworth. In this role, Merriwether, who joined the corporation in 2001, will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of retail services for the broadline retailer's Kmart and Sears stores.

Merriwether currently serves as a member of Sears Canada's board of directors and is the executive sponsor of the company's African-American Associate Network.

January 4, 2011

Paris Presents, the maker of the EcoTools cosmetic and bath accessories line, has secured an investment from private equity firm Mason Wells.

GURNEE, Ill. — Paris Presents, the maker of the EcoTools cosmetic and bath accessories line, has secured an investment from private equity firm Mason Wells. Mason Wells, along with Paris Presents' existing management team and other investors, acquired the equity of the company from the Zall family.

December 29, 2010

SXC Health Solutions has completed its acquisition of independent specialty pharmacy provider MedfusionRx.

LISLE, Ill. — SXC Health Solutions announced Wednesday that it had completed its acquisition of independent specialty pharmacy provider MedfusionRx in a deal worth $100 million in cash, with an additional $5.5 million subject to the achievement of certain performance targets in fiscal year 2012.

The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expired Dec. 24.

December 22, 2010

Takeda and its subsidiary settled the patent suits it brought against generic drug makers that sought to develop their own versions of its diabetes treatment.

DEERFIELD, Ill., and OSAKA, Japan — Takeda and its subsidiary settled the patent suits it brought against generic drug makers that sought to develop their own versions of its diabetes treatment.

December 22, 2010

In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

December 21, 2010

Abbott has made a pact with a biopharmaceutical company to develop new cancer treatments by making small-molecule inhibitors.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott has made a pact with a biopharmaceutical company to develop new cancer treatments by making small-molecule inhibitors.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will provide EpiTherapeutics with an up-front payment and will receive funding of research activities conducted at EpiTherapeutics. The biopharmaceutical company also is eligible, under certain conditions, to receive milestone payments as well as potential royalties on future revenues.

December 17, 2010

A certified gluten-free crackers brand has gained retail distribution in Walmart Supercenter stores.

LOVES PARK, Ill. — A certified gluten-free crackers brand has gained retail distribution in Walmart Supercenter stores.

Crunchmaster's original flavor multigrain crisps now are available in 4.5-oz. boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.48. The oven-baked, 100% whole grain crisps are made with a blend of California brown rice and four seeds: sesame, quinoa, flax and amaranth.

December 17, 2010

In a major alliance to foster preventive health in the United States, Walgreens has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide free flu vaccinations to as many as 350,000 low-income and uninsured Americans.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a major alliance to foster preventive health in the United States, Walgreens has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide free flu vaccinations to as many as 350,000 low-income and uninsured Americans.

Walgreens will provide more than $10 million worth of vouchers for free flu shots, which HHS will help distribute.

December 14, 2010

Kraft Foods is continuing its commitment to the fight against hunger with its football-themed hunger-relief initiative.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods is continuing its commitment to the fight against hunger with its football-themed hunger-relief initiative.

Kraft said Monday that the Huddle to Fight Hunger program reached 18.5 million meals, which is 93% of the program's goal. Its initiative encourages Americans to generate meal donations for Feeding America through several social media initiatives, including Facebook and Twitter.

The promotions lead up to the first-ever Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Jan. 9, which will be held in San Francisco.

December 10, 2010

Pharmacists who intervene with diabetes patients are having a clear and positive impact on clinical outcomes, a new study from Walgreens has found.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Pharmacists who intervene with diabetes patients are having a clear and positive impact on clinical outcomes, a new study from Walgreens has found.

December 8, 2010

The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology on Wednesday presented a new analysis of the effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids as potential treatment options for depression.

MIAMI — The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology on Wednesday presented a new analysis of the effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids as potential treatment options for depression.

Two critical omega-3 essential fatty acids available from certain food or nutritional supplements but not manufactured by the body — eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexaenoic — play a role in optimal brain functioning and have antidepressant benefits that have not been fully recognized, the professional society stated during its annual meeting in Miami.

December 8, 2010

EcoTools once again is joining forces with actress Alicia Silverstone to introduce for the spring the revamped eco-conscious cosmetic bag and brush collection set dubbed EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone.

GURNEE, Ill. — EcoTools once again is joining forces with actress Alicia Silverstone to introduce for the spring the revamped eco-conscious cosmetic bag and brush collection set dubbed EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone.

The collection, which will launch April 2011, will feature three new additions and three revised sets. They will be available at Walmart, Target and Walgreens.

December 6, 2010

Sara Lee announced on Monday that it has completed the sale of its global body care and European detergents businesses to Unilever for 1.21 billion euro ($1.6 billion).

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee announced on Monday that it has completed the sale of its global body care and European detergents businesses to Unilever for 1.21 billion euro ($1.6 billion).

The sale is part of Sara Lee's ongoing process of divesting its household and body care businesses.

December 3, 2010

Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions will acquire Birmingham, Ala.-based specialty pharmacy provider MedfusionRx for $100 million, SXC said Thursday.

LISLE, Ill. — Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions will acquire Birmingham, Ala.-based specialty pharmacy provider MedfusionRx for $100 million, SXC said Thursday.

SXC also may pay an additional $5.5 million if unspecified performance targets are met through fiscal year 2012, the company said. MedfusionRx operates pharmacies in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kansas, and serves more than 9,000 patients.

December 3, 2010

Walgreens saw a rise in sales across the board for the month of November and fiscal first quarter 2011, the drug store chain said Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens saw a rise in sales across the board for the month of November and fiscal first quarter 2011, the drug store chain said Friday.

Total sales for the chain rose 8.6% to $5.83 billion in November, with 2.8 percentage points contributed by Duane Reade stores. Comparable-store sales for the month also saw a gain of 3.2%, although comps results do not include Duane Reade sales. Total sales for the quarter saw a strong gain of 5.9% to $17.33 billion, as comparable-store sales increased 0.8%.

December 3, 2010

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic chemotherapy drug made by Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Sagent said Thursday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic chemotherapy drug made by Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Sagent said Thursday.

The FDA approved topotecan hydrochloride for injection, a version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Hycamtin. The U.S. market for injectable topotecan was around $158 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

November 30, 2010

Walgreens is making a high-impact health statement to mark World AIDS Day that will be hard to ignore.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is making a high-impact health statement to mark World AIDS Day that will be hard to ignore.

November 30, 2010

An alliance between a drug store chain and a national pharmacy benefit manager resulted in more than $3 million in savings over a seven-month period for the PBM clients.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — An alliance between a drug store chain and a national pharmacy benefit manager resulted in more than $3 million in savings over a seven-month period for the PBM clients.

November 29, 2010

Kraft filed an arbitration proceeding against Starbucks on Monday after the java giant attempted to end an agreement with the company.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft filed an arbitration proceeding against Starbucks on Monday after the java giant attempted to end an agreement with the company.

Kraft claimed that it boosted Starbucks' retail grocery coffee business since 1998, which has garnered approximately $500 million in annual revenues. Kraft also is demanding that Starbucks compensate the company for the fair market value of the business, plus a premium of up to 35% of that value.

November 29, 2010

Walgreens' chief medical officer will discuss the evidence-based medicine design and impact of a diabetes management program delivered by pharmacists at both workplace and community pharmacies during an upcoming conference, the drug store chain said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens' chief medical officer will discuss the evidence-based medicine design and impact of a diabetes management program delivered by pharmacists at both workplace and community pharmacies during an upcoming conference, the drug store chain said.