Content about New Jersey

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega on Monday launched Omega Infusion, an omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product with initial placement within Giant Food.

"Delivering heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids in enhanced water is something we've been developing for years," stated Volker Berl, chief technology officer Oceans Omega. "Our proprietary delivery system is transforming the beverage industry by including ingredients like Omega-3 EPA/DHA."

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — U.S. generic drug maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals has entered a deal with South Korean drug maker Hanmi Pharmaceutical to acquire exclusive distribution rights for a Hanmi drug used for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, Amneal said Monday.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Wheat Thins today announced the launch of its new "Must. Have. Wheat Thins." campaign with a new TV ad debuting in the pregame show prior to the start of Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck on Friday announced the Food and Drug Administration has approved the switch of Oxytrol for Women (oxybutynin transdermal system, 3.9 mg/day) from prescription-only to nonprescription, creating a new category — overactive bladder in women — in the OTC area. Most notable about this switch is the fact that the FDA approved Oxytrol for Women against the majority opinion of its Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee, which voted five in favor and six opposed to the switch in November. 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has formally changed its name to Actavis and changed its New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol to ACT, the company said Thursday.

The generic drug maker, now the world's third largest, announced its plan to change the name last year after it acquired Actavis. The combined company expects combined 2012 sales to exceed $8 billion.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson expects to return about 75% of its OTC brands to the marketplace over the course of 2013, Alex Gorsky, J&J chairman and CEO told analysts Tuesday. "I’m very pleased with the progress that we’re making in that," he said. "We mentioned to you that the consent decree that we had designed in conjunction with the FDA was approved and reviewed in October, with very few comments. And given the breadth and scale of that agreement, we felt very good about that. We’ve had teams working hard since then.

PARAMUS, N.J. — Inergetics will be breathing new life into diet aid brands Bikini Ready and SlimTrim, the company noted on Monday. Those are two brands the company recently acquired from Whole Products Group that will be the focus of presentations at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition conference being held in San Antonio this week. 

RARITAN, N.J. -- A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts has recommended approval for an experimental Type 2 diabetes drug made by Johnson & Johnson, the drug maker said.

J&J said the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee had recommended approval for canagliflozin, which the company plans to market under the name brand Invokana. The FDA is not required to follow the votes of advisory committees when deciding whether or not to approve a drug, but usually does.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic epilepsy drug made by Wockhardt, the company said.

Wockhardt, based in India, announced the approval of lamotrigine extended-release tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg, 100-mg, 200-mg and 300-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's Lamictal XR. The U.S. market for the drug is about $250 million, according to IMS Health.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has hired a former executive from the Generic Pharmaceutical Association to head lobbying at the federal and state level, the company said Wednesday.

Watson announced the appointment of James Fenton as VP U.S. government affairs. In the new position, Fenton will work out of Watson's Washington offices and will be responsible for leading the company's expanded federal and state government affairs activities.

AUSTIN, Minn. — Hormel Foods announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Skippy peanut butter business from Unilever United States, of Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the United States and other jurisdictions.

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Popcorn, Indiana — maker of all-natural popcorn snacks — announced the debut of FIT, a new line of better-for-you popcorn that will be available in stores nationwide this month.

Boasting amazing taste, crispy crunch, 40 calories or less and just 2 g of fat per cup, FIT is ideal for those who are looking to snack smarter, not just skinnier, and don't want to sacrifice on flavor.