Content about LONDON

May 7, 2013

U.S. to contribute to 'rapid' biosimilar market growth through 2023, study finds

The global market for biosimilars will be worth nearly $2.5 billion this year, according to a new study.

LONDON — The global market for biosimilars will be worth nearly $2.5 billion this year, according to a new study.

The study, by British market research firm Visiongain, forecast that the $2.445 billion market size marked more than 20% of growth from 2012 and would account for about 2% of the overall market for biologics. The market is expected to grow rapidly through 2023 as biosimilars hit the market in the United States and European Union.

April 22, 2013

Reports: Amazon may be planning store in London

Rumors are circulating that Amazon may be opening a brick-and-mortar store in London, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Rumors are circulating that Amazon may be opening a brick-and-mortar store in London, according to published reports.

The website Ecommercebytes.com reported on an ad that appeared on the classified-ad site Gumtree.com, for positions at an Amazon store to open in East London.

"As this is our first Amazon store you will be a part of our companies [sic] history," the ad reads. "You will be heavily promoting the store within Westfield enticing passers by to visit our state of the art show room."

April 17, 2013

FDA panel gives favorable vote to GSK, Theravance COPD drug

A Food and Drug Administration panel has recommended that the agency approve an experimental drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance, the two companies said.

LONDON — A Food and Drug Administration panel has recommended that the agency approve an experimental drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance, the two companies said.

The FDA Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9-4 to recommend Breo Ellipta as a long-term maintenance treatment for airflow obstruction in patients with COPD and for reduction of COPD exacerbations in patients with a history of them. The drug is a once-daily inhaler that combines fluticasone furoate and vilanterol.

April 5, 2013

GSK tests lupus drug in patients with inflammatory blood vessel disorder

GlaxoSmithKline has started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug in patients with an inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels.

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline has started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug in patients with an inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels.

The drug maker announced the start of a phase-3 trial of Benlysta (belimumab) in patients with vasculitis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks blood vessels, leading to inflammation, disruption of blood flow and possible damage to the organs. The drug is being tested in patients with a common form of the disease known as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-positive vasculitis.

March 27, 2013

Alliance Boots to refocus contract manufacturing business on beauty, skin care product development

Alliance Boots on Wednesday announced its contract manufacturing business BCM will invest heavier into core competency categories, such as beauty and skin care, as it discontinues third-party manufacturer development in unnamed "unprofitable" categories.

LONDON — Alliance Boots on Wednesday announced its contract manufacturing business BCM will invest heavier into core competency categories, such as beauty and skin care, as it discontinues third-party manufacturer development in unnamed "unprofitable" categories.

March 25, 2013

U.K.'s Infirst Healthcare raises $30 million-plus to feed European OTC cough-cold and analgesic launches

The U.K.'s Infirst Healthcare on Monday announced it has successfully raised $32.1 million in new funds.

LONDON — The U.K.'s Infirst Healthcare on Monday announced it has successfully raised $32.1 million in new funds. The funding, from Invesco Asset Management managed funds, will be used for the launch of the company's medicines into the cough-cold and analgesic consumer healthcare markets.

March 15, 2013

Spotlight on clinic model gets brighter as accessibility, lower cost proves to be universal healthcare need

MinuteClinic president and SVP/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, Andrew Sussman, attended two separate healthcare events in London last week to discuss how MinuteClinic is improving care and access at substantially lower cost.

This is important because, regardless of whether a country has universal healthcare or not, someone has to pay for it and accessibility can still be an issue. Interestingly, a British supermarket began testing the concept of an in-store physician-staffed clinic back in 2008 in an effort to improve access.  A key reason: Its supermarkets are often situated in a convenient location with public transport links and ample parking.

March 14, 2013

MinuteClinic's Sussman highlights the growing clinic model at London Healthcare Conferences

MinuteClinic president and SVP/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, Andrew Sussman, traveled to London this week to discuss how MinuteClinic is improving care and access at substantially lower cost, the company has announced.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic president and SVP/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, Andrew Sussman, traveled to London this week to discuss how MinuteClinic is improving care and access at substantially lower cost, the company has announced.

February 28, 2013

NewsBytes — Chain Pharmacy, 2/18/13

The world market for generic drugs will jump more than 15% this year and reach a global total of $127.8 billion, predicted a report from British market research firm Visiongain.

Generics expected to hit double-digit growth

February 19, 2013

FDA grants priority review to ViiV drug for HIV

The Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to an experimental drug made by ViiV Healthcare for HIV, the company, a joint venture between British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and American drug maker Pfizer, announced.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to an experimental drug made by ViiV Healthcare for HIV, the company, a joint venture between British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and American drug maker Pfizer, announced.

The FDA gave the designation to dolutegravir, designed for use in combination with other antiretrovirual drugs in adults and adolescents. The agency gives priority review to drugs that offer significant improvement compared with products already on the market.

February 13, 2013

Walgreens, Alliance Boots provide analysts color on global pharmacy opportunity

Walgreens and Alliance Boots will generate $130 billion or more in combined sales, Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO told analysts Wednesday.

LONDON — Walgreens and Alliance Boots will generate $130 billion or more in combined sales, Greg Wasson, Walgreens president and CEO, told analysts Wednesday. Walgreens and Alliance Boots offered analysts a firsthand look at the Alliance Boots operation here, beginning with a store tour and then leading into presentations.

February 12, 2013

Putney aims to compete in generic pet drug market with new launch

Putney has launched a generic version of a veterinary skin infection drug, the company said.

PORTLAND, Maine — Putney has launched a generic version of a veterinary skin infection drug, the company said.

Putney announced the launch of cefpodoxime proxetil, a generic version of Pfizer's Simplicef, used to treat certain skin infections in dogs. Putney said its product was the only generic version of Simplicef approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

January 30, 2013

Campaigners celebrate as EU set to ban animal testing for cosmetics

A ban on importing and selling animal-tested cosmetics products and ingredients will enter into force in March. The ban affects all cosmetics, including toiletries and beauty products.

LONDON — A ban on importing and selling animal-tested cosmetics products and ingredients will enter into force in March. The ban affects all cosmetics, including toiletries and beauty products.

"I believe that the ban should enter into force in March 2013 as Parliament and Council already have decided. I therefore am not planning to propose a postponement or derogation to the ban," Commissioner Tonio Borg wrote in a recent letter to animal testing campaigners.

January 21, 2013

GSK submits approval application for albiglutide

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said.

LONDON — Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the submission to the FDA of a regulatory approval application for albiglutide. The drug is not approved in any market yet, and the company plans to also seek approval in the European Union this year.

GSK assumed control of albiglutide with its $3.6 billion acquisition of Human Genome Sciences, announced last July.

January 7, 2013

Report: Flu vaccinations to see surge in coming decade

Lingering fears of pandemic flu in the United States and a spike in flu activity will help to keep vaccination levels high, according to a new report.

LONDON — Lingering fears of pandemic flu in the United States and a spike in flu activity will help to keep vaccination levels high, according to a new report.

GlobalData, a British market research firm, released a report Monday showing that seasonal influenza vaccine demand will increase from 2012's estimated 142 million to 158 million in 2022.

December 18, 2012

FDA approves GSK four-strain flu vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new four-strain flu vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker said.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new four-strain flu vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the approval of its Fluarix Quadrivalent (influenza virus vaccine) for children and adults against seasonal influenza subtypes A and B. The company said the vaccine was the first for intramuscular injection that protects against four strains of the virus.

December 17, 2012

FDA approves GlaxoSmithKline's raxibacumab for anthrax

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new biotech drug from GlaxoSmithKline for anthrax, the drug maker said.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new biotech drug from GlaxoSmithKline for anthrax, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the approval of raxibacumab for adults and children who have inhaled Bacillus anthracis. The drug is designed for combination with antibiotics and for preventing inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies aren't available. The drug is the result of a project that Human Genome Sciences, now owned by GSK, began working on in 2001 in response to terrorist anthrax attacks in the United States.

November 29, 2012

Study forecasts steady generics growth through 2023

The global market for generic drugs will reach more than $125 billion next year, according to a new report by a British market-research firm.

LONDON — The global market for generic drugs will reach more than $125 billion next year, according to a new report by a British market-research firm.

November 28, 2012

Revlon to celebrate 80 years with London exhibition

Revlon is inviting beauty enthusiasts and fashion fanatics to experience a one-of-a-kind exhibition that will guide them through iconic moments in Revlon's history that have contributed to shaping the brand as we see it today.

LONDON — Revlon is inviting beauty enthusiasts and fashion fanatics to experience a one-of-a-kind exhibition that will guide them through iconic moments in Revlon's history that have contributed to shaping the brand as we see it today.

November 19, 2012

FDA approves GSK drug for hepatitis C patients with low platelet counts

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a condition that can complicate treatment for hepatitis C.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a condition that can complicate treatment for hepatitis C.

GlaxoSmithKline said Monday that the FDA had approved Promacta (eltrombopag) for treating low blood-platelet counts, also known as thrombocytopenia, to allow patients with hepatitis C to undergo and maintain interferon-based therapy. The drug already had FDA approval to treat chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

November 9, 2012

The synergies to flow between Boots, Walgreens have only begun to be tapped

As part of its multi-channel strategy, Boots UK is currently testing the use of iPads to support in-store ordering across 30 stores, the London-based drug store retailer recently announced.

Sound familiar? Borrowing a page from the Walgreens playbook is evidence that the sharing of best practices will flow in both directions across the Atlantic. What else could Boots borrow from Walgreens? Creating a pharmacy business that better interacts with the neighboring community is one strength at Walgreens that Boots may successfully plug into.

LONDON — As part of its multi-channel strategy, Boots UK is currently testing the use of iPads to support in-store ordering across 30 stores, the London-based drug store retailer recently announced.

November 7, 2012

Boots U.K. testing in-store health guides armed with tablets

Boots U.K. recently took a page out of Walgreens' playbook with the placement of health guides across the front-end.

LONDON — Boots U.K. recently took a page out of Walgreens' playbook with the placement of health guides across the front-end.

As part of its multi-channel strategy, Boots U.K. is currently testing the use of iPads to support in-store ordering across 30 stores, the London-based drug store retailer recently announced.

October 25, 2012

Alliance Boots partners with British food personality on launch of fresh lunch options

According to published reports, Alliance Boots earlier this week partnered with Jamie Oliver, British chef and media personality known worldwide, to launch a "deli-inspired" lunchtime range of food called Jamie Does Lunch.

LONDON — According to published reports, Alliance Boots earlier this week partnered with Jamie Oliver, British chef and media personality known worldwide, to launch a "deli-inspired" lunchtime range of food called Jamie Does Lunch.

"[This] marks the first time the celebrity chef and former Sainsbury's brand ambassador has launched an 'on-the-go' range with a high street retailer," reported Marketing Magazine, which is based here. Like Walgreens in the United States, the U.K. retailer is looking to expand its "fresh" footprint.

October 17, 2012

Study: Vitamin D supplementation helps people with lupus erythematosus

Vitamin D supplementation could be considered an immunomodulatory agent for systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease characterized not only by skin, joint, neurological and renal symptoms, but also by inflammation of tissue linings in the body, according to a new clinical study published Tuesday in BioMedCentral's open access journal Arthritis Research and Therapy.

LONDON — Vitamin D supplementation could be considered an immunomodulatory agent for systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease characterized not only by skin, joint, neurological and renal symptoms, but also by inflammation of tissue linings in the body, according to a new clinical study published Tuesday in BioMedCentral's open access journal Arthritis Research and Therapy.

An immunomodulatory agent has an effect on the immune system.

October 9, 2012

New products boast affordable indulgence

Manufacturers are striving to jazz up the bath and body segment with new, spa-inspired fragrances and formulations as sales show a ho-hum attitude among  beauty shoppers.  

According to data provided by SymphonyIRI Group, sales of bath fragrances/bubble bath rose about 3% for the 12 weeks ended Aug. 12 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart). During that same period, sales of body scrubbers/massagers declined 5%, as sales of liquid body wash also dropped about 5%. 