Content about New Jersey

November 1, 2012

Watson to change brand in 2013

Watson Pharmaceuticals is changing its name to Actavis following its acquisition of the Swiss drug maker, Watson said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Watson Pharmaceuticals is changing its name to Actavis following its acquisition of the Swiss drug maker, Watson said.

Watson, whose $5.6 billion acquisition of Actavis received approval from the Federal Trade Commission earlier this month, said it would adopt the new name starting in 2013, with plans to start a multi-year rebranding campaign and trade under a new symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

November 1, 2012

Wegmans able to get all stores open in wake of Hurricane Sandy

Wegmans Food Markets on Tuesday reported that they were able to open all 81 of the company’s stores in the six states where they do business, all of which were affected to some degree by Hurricane Sandy.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wegmans Food Markets on Tuesday reported that they were able to open all 81 of the company’s stores in the six states where they do business, all of which were affected to some degree by Hurricane Sandy. Wegmans’ stores are located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

October 31, 2012

Bayer boosts One-A-Day supplement portfolio with Schiff acquisition to the tune of $1.2 billion

Bayer HealthCare on Tuesday signed a merger agreement to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, and with that, prominent supplement brands Digestive Advantage, MegaRed, Move Free and Airborne.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare on Tuesday signed a merger agreement to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, and with that, prominent supplement brands Digestive Advantage, MegaRed, Move Free and Airborne. These four products accounted for 70% of all Schiff sales, noted Marijn Dekkers, Bayer CEO, during an analyst call Wednesday morning. "This acquisition will strengthen Bayer's leading OTC business and complement our existing nutritionals business with well-established strong brands," he said.

October 31, 2012

CVS Caremark donates more than $100K to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts

VS Caremark announced on Wednesday a donation of more than $100,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to communities that have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Wednesday a donation of more than $100,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to communities that have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

A donation of $50,000 was made from the company's foundation, the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. In addition, CVS/pharmacy is providing snacks and bottled water valued at more than $50,000 to distribute in communities in New Jersey that were impacted by the hurricane.

October 31, 2012

Watson sells Rugby OTC business to Harvard Drug Group for $117 million

Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.

"I am confident that Major, with its leadership position as a marketer of OTC products, will be more strategically positioned to maximize the value of the long-known and respected Rugby name," stated Paul Bisaro, president and CEO of Watson.

October 29, 2012

Axe launches 'Getting Dressed' creative spot in U.S.

Unilever’s men’s grooming brand Axe has launched its "Getting Dressed" creative spot in the United States, which takes a lighter look at a couple's interaction the morning after a romantic chance encounter.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s men’s grooming brand Axe has launched its "Getting Dressed" creative spot in the United States, which takes a lighter look at a couple's interaction the morning after a romantic chance encounter.

The digital launch comes right Halloween and the brand is taking to the streets of New York City to help turn the pop culture term "walk of shame" into a more positive and optimistic "stride of pride."

October 29, 2012

Par acquires rights to generic version of Seroquel XR

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. – Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

October 29, 2012

Watson launches generic version of Actos

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Type 2 diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said, following a federal court's order for the agency to approve the drug.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Type 2 diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the company said, following a federal court's order for the agency to approve the drug.

Watson announced the launch of pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets in the 15-mg, 30-mg and 45-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Takeda's Actos, branded and generic versions of which had sales of about $2.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in August, according to IMS Health.

October 25, 2012

FDA approves Par leukemia drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for leukemia made by a subsidiary of Par Pharmaceutical Cos.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for leukemia made by a subsidiary of Par Pharmaceutical Cos.

Par said Thursday that the FDA had approved Anchen Pharmaceuticals' tretinoin capsules in the 10-mg strength.

The drug is a generic version of Roche's Vesanoid, various versions of which have annual sales of about $29 million, according to IMS Health.

October 23, 2012

CCA Industries announces 4Q dividend

Health and beauty products manufacturer CCA Industries — whose brands include Plus+White toothpastes and teeth whiteners, Nutra Nail nail care treatments and Gel Perfect UV-free gel color — announced that its board has approved the company’s 34th consecutive dividend.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Health and beauty products manufacturer CCA Industries — whose brands include Plus+White toothpastes and teeth whiteners, Nutra Nail nail care treatments and Gel Perfect UV-free gel color — announced that its board has approved the company’s 34th consecutive dividend.

The board approved a dividend of 7 cents per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, payable to all shareholders of record as of Nov. 6, 2012, and to be paid on Dec. 6, 2012.

October 23, 2012

Federal court orders FDA to allow Watson diabetes drug launch

A federal court has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to approve a generic diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A federal court has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to approve a generic diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

Watson said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgment in favor of Watson, ruling that the FDA would have to approve its generic version of Takeda's Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) tablets in the 15-mg, 30-mg and 45-mg strengths.

October 23, 2012

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula joins World Cocoa Foundation

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula has joined the World Cocoa Foundation in support of efforts to provide economic, social and environmental development in cocoa-growing communities.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula has joined the World Cocoa Foundation in support of efforts to provide economic, social and environmental development in cocoa-growing communities.

October 23, 2012

Sneaky Pete's launches first all-natural oat beverage

Sneaky Pete's Naturally Oatstanding Beverage is now available at various grocery stores and other retailers nationwide. The first soluble oat beverage of its kind, Sneaky Pete's is an easy and low-calorie way for consumers to meet the daily requirement for fiber.

BUTLER, N.J. – Sneaky Pete's Naturally Oatstanding Beverage is now available at various grocery stores and other retailers nationwide. The first soluble oat beverage of its kind, Sneaky Pete's is an easy and low-calorie way for consumers to meet the daily requirement for fiber.

October 19, 2012

Supermarkets facing competition as grocery leader

Supermarkets are facing increased competition from dollar stores, according to a new survey from Perception Research Services International.

FORT LEE, N.J. — Supermarkets are facing increased competition from dollar stores, according to a new survey from Perception Research Services International.

October 18, 2012

FDA approves first drug for eye condition

The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first drug to treat an eye condition that can interfere with the part of the retina responsible for reading vision.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first drug to treat an eye condition that can interfere with the part of the retina responsible for reading vision.

The agency announced the approval of Jetrea (ocriplasmin), made by Iselin, N.J.-based ThromboGenics. The drug is used to treat symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion.

October 17, 2012

Ansell Healthcare takes LifeStyles thin condoms thinner with Zero launch

Ansell Healthcare on Wednesday announced the launch of Zero and Zero Larger.

ISELIN, N.J. — Ansell Healthcare on Wednesday announced the launch of Zero and Zero Larger. Zero is the thinnest latex condom now offered in America, 45% thinner than Ansell's standard latex design, and Zero Larger is now the thinnest large condom in the market in the United States, the company stated.

According to consumer focus groups, condom users are consistently searching for more sensitive and better-fitting designs, and are willing to try different brands and styles to discover the condoms that best suit their needs.

October 17, 2012

Bristol-Myers Squibb skin cancer drug wins Prix Galien USA Prize

A cancer drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb has received an award from Galien Foundation, the drug maker said Wednesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — A cancer drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb has received an award from Galien Foundation, the drug maker said Wednesday.

The company said Yervoy (ipilimumab) received the 2012 Prix Galien USA Prize in the Best Biotechnology Product category. Yervoy — used to treat melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body, known as metastasis — is the first new drug for melanoma that is metastatic or can't be removed through surgery in more than a decade.

October 16, 2012

FTC approves Watson-Actavis merger

The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Watson Pharmaceutical's acquisition of Switzerland-based generic drug maker Actavis.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Watson Pharmaceutical's acquisition of Switzerland-based generic drug maker Actavis.

The unanimous vote in support of the merger follows Watson's agreement to divest a number of marketed and pipeline products to Par Pharmaceutical and Sandoz as a condition to obtaining FTC approval.

October 16, 2012

Par to acquire 14 generics

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

October 15, 2012

Watson gains two generic approvals

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

October 12, 2012

BD introduces disposable injection pen

Medical supply company BD has introduced a disposable injection pen that it said was designed for drugs requiring frequent, low-volume injections or variable dosing.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Medical supply company BD has introduced a disposable injection pen that it said was designed for drugs requiring frequent, low-volume injections or variable dosing.

The company's BD Medical division announced the introduction of the Vystra, which it will showcase at the 2012 Parenteral Drug Association meeting in Las Vegas.

The company said the pen is designed for ease of use, comfort and reliability, including design features like multi-dosing, simple dose dialing and correction with audible clicks and large and clear dose markings.

October 12, 2012

FDA approves Celgene lung-cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injected drug for lung cancer made by Celgene, the company said Friday.

SUMMIT, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injected drug for lung cancer made by Celgene, the company said Friday.

Celgene announced the approval of Abraxane (paclitaxel) protein-bound particles for injectable suspension, for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer that has advanced locally or spread to other parts of the body, in combination with carboplatin, for patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.

October 12, 2012

FDA approves Sandoz dermatology drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Sandoz for treating symptoms of various skin diseases.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Sandoz for treating symptoms of various skin diseases.

Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of desoximetasone ointment in the 0.25% strength. The drug is a generic version of Taro Pharmaceutical Industries' Topicort and, according to Sandoz, is the first Fougera dermatology product Sandoz has launched since its $1.5 billion acquisition of the company in May 2012.

October 11, 2012

Vitamin Shoppe to host 'Share the Health Expo' at each of its stores

Vitamin Shoppe will be hosting a "Share the Health Expo" at store locations Oct. 13, the specialty channel retailer announced earlier this week.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Vitamin Shoppe will be hosting a "Share the Health Expo" at store locations Oct. 13, the specialty channel retailer announced earlier this week.

"All it takes is one day to make a difference in your health and wellness," stated Doug Henson, SVP retail operations for the Vitamin Shoppe. "By participating in the 'Share the Health Expo' customers can take the next step in owning their health-and-wellness goals."

October 10, 2012

Combos takes seven-layer dip to new level

Combos is slated to launch its newest snack.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Combos is slated to launch its newest snack.

Combos 7 Layer Dip Tortilla combines real cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, tomato, refried beans, onion and spicy jalapeño peppers, parent company Mars said. As part of the upcoming launch, the new Combos treat will be supported by a campaign that will include national print advertising, digital media, promotional radio, social media, a "7 Layer Party" public relations campaign, a Six Flags sponsorship with in-park media and in-store consumer promotions.