Content about PITTSBURGH

October 19, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Warner Chilcott in a case concerning an oral contraceptive.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Warner Chilcott in a case concerning an oral contraceptive.

Mylan said Wednesday that it and Famy Care had entered into an agreement with Warner Chilcott resolving a lawsuit over Femcon Fe (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol chewable tablets, ferrous fumarate tablets).

October 19, 2011

Mylan's India-based subsidiary is changing its name, Mylan said Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan's India-based subsidiary is changing its name, Mylan said Wednesday.

The generic drug maker announced that Matrix Labs, based in Hyderabad, India, had formally changed its name to Mylan Labs.

"We are pleased to complete the name change from Matrix to a Mylan company and are excited to operate in India under one powerful brand," Mylan chairman and CEO Robert Coury said.

Mylan acquired Matrix in 2006.

October 10, 2011

Mylan co-founder and former chairman and CEO Milan "Mike" Puskar died Saturday, the generic drug maker said. Puskar, who retired from Mylan as chairman in 2009, was 77.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan co-founder and former chairman and CEO Milan "Mike" Puskar died Saturday, the generic drug maker said. Puskar, who retired from Mylan as chairman in 2009, was 77.

September 30, 2011

Giant Eagle this past week introduced the NuVal nutritional scoring system throughout locations in Columbus, Ohio, and Frederick, Md.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle this past week introduced the NuVal nutritional scoring system throughout locations in Columbus, Ohio, and Frederick, Md.

Intended to help customers make quick, informed food choices, the NuVal nutritional scoring system gives more than 20,000 food and beverages a score ranging from 1 to 100 — the higher the score, the better the nutrition. Scores are posted right on the shelf tag, along with nutritional attributes like “gluten free” and “good source of fiber.”

September 28, 2011

GNC Holdings on Wednesday announced that Jenn Brown, two-time Emmy Award-winning sports journalist, has joined the GNC LiveWell team as its newest brand ambassador.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings on Wednesday announced that Jenn Brown, two-time Emmy Award-winning sports journalist, has joined the GNC LiveWell team as its newest brand ambassador.

September 22, 2011

A report commissioned by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association has drawn applause from manufacturers and a retail pharmacy industry group.

PITTSBURGH — A report commissioned by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association has drawn applause from manufacturers and a retail pharmacy industry group.

Generic drug maker Mylan, a member of the GPhA, praised the report, conducted by market research firm IMS Health, showing that the use of generic prescription drugs saved consumers, patients and healthcare providers more than $931 billion over the last decade.

September 21, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan has entered an agreement with Hoffmann La Roche concerning its version of an oral chemotherapy drug.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has entered an agreement with Hoffmann La Roche concerning its version of an oral chemotherapy drug.

Mylan announced Wednesday that it had entered a settlement and license agreement with Hoffmann La Roche resolving a patent infringement lawsuit over Xeloda (capecitabine) tablets, a drug used to treat breast and colorectal cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.

September 13, 2011

GlaxoSmithKline's Consumer Healthcare division has appointed a former Kraft Foods executive as its new chief customer officer.

PITTSBURGH — GlaxoSmithKline's Consumer Healthcare division has appointed a former Kraft Foods executive as its new chief customer officer.

In his new role, Keith Loranger will be responsible for leading the GSK Consumer Healthcare’s sales function to increase sales and profit for the company’s oral health and wellness categories, including such brands as Aquafresh, NicoDerm CQ and Tums, among others. Prior to joining the company, Loranger served as Kraft Foods' customer VP international strategy after joining the company in 1985.

September 9, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Mylan for treating allergies.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Mylan for treating allergies.

Mylan announced Friday the approval of promethazine hydrochloride tablets in the 12.5-mg, 25-mg and 50-mg strengths.

Promethazine hydrochloride tablets, which are manufactured by several companies, had sales of about $42 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

September 7, 2011

GNC on Monday announced that it again is partnering with the Western Pennsylvania Committee of the Wounded Warrior Project as lead sponsor of its annual golf outing to be held Sept. 19 at the Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Monday announced that it again is partnering with the Western Pennsylvania Committee of the Wounded Warrior Project as lead sponsor of its annual golf outing to be held Sept. 19 at the Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa.

The charity event is designed to raise public awareness and funding for severely wounded servicemen and women to help them recover and transition back to civilian life. To date, GNC has helped raise more than $340,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project to support its programs and services.

September 1, 2011

GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday announced that 25-year veteran Clark Brown, VP sales at GSK Consumer Healthcare, will be leaving the organization effective Sept. 2.

PITTSBURGH — GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday announced that 25-year veteran Clark Brown, VP sales at GSK Consumer Healthcare, will be leaving the organization effective Sept. 2.

“Clark has been a valuable team member throughout his many years with GSK, and his passion and effective leadership of the U.S. consumer sales team has been critical to the success of our business,” stated Colin Mackenzie, president GSK Consumer Healthcare North America.

August 31, 2011

NuGo Nutrition on Wednesday announced the launch of its diabetic-friendly meal-replacement bar product line called NuGo Slim.

PITTSBURGH — NuGo Nutrition on Wednesday announced the launch of its diabetic-friendly meal-replacement bar product line called NuGo Slim. The line is being billed as the first almost sugar-free high-protein bar made without maltitol, an artificial sweetener. The 2 g of sweet goodness comes naturally from real dark chocolate, the company stated.

The NuGo Slim bars contain 15 g of protein and have 180 calories and 2.5 g of saturated fat. Chicory root, a natural dietary fiber, adds 9 g of fiber and naturally sweetens the body of the bar.

August 24, 2011

Specialty retailer GNC on Tuesday announced it has agreed to acquire LuckyVitamin.com, an online discount retailer of branded nutritional supplements.

PITTSBURGH — Specialty retailer GNC on Tuesday announced it has agreed to acquire LuckyVitamin.com, an online discount retailer of branded nutritional supplements.

The acquisition is being funded with cash on hand, and is expected to close within 30 days, subject to customary closing conditions, GNC stated.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

August 22, 2011

GNC on Monday named Nora Tobin — competitive beach volleyball athlete, National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified professional trainer, yoga instructor and upcoming author — to the specialty retailer's GNC LiveWell team as its newest brand ambassador.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Monday named Nora Tobin — competitive beach volleyball athlete, National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified professional trainer, yoga instructor and upcoming author — to the specialty retailer's GNC LiveWell team as its newest brand ambassador.

August 17, 2011

Mylan announced Wednesday that it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of a drug for migraine headaches made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan announced Wednesday that it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of a drug for migraine headaches made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Mylan said it was the first to file for approval of a generic version of Frova (frovatriptan succinate EQ) tablets in the 2.5-mg strength. In response, Endo has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan in response to the filing.

Frova had sales of $68.2 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

August 12, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan has begun shipping a drug for enlarged prostate, the company said Friday.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has begun shipping a drug for enlarged prostate, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the launch of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 10-mg strength.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Uroxatral, which had sales of about $241 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

August 9, 2011

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Monday named John Graham chief marketing officer for Consumer Healthcare, North America.

PITTSBURGH — GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Monday named John Graham chief marketing officer for Consumer Healthcare, North America.

August 8, 2011

Giant Eagle is preparing to open its first in-store clinic in Pennsylvania, according to a report published by the Pittsburgh Business Times on Friday.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is preparing to open its first in-store clinic in Pennsylvania, according to a report published by the Pittsburgh Business Times on Friday.

The clinic, Healthy Directions, is part of an existing program offered in cooperation with Monongahela Valley Hospital that will relocate to Giant Eagle. The clinic will offer physicals, immunizations and patient education programs on such topics as diabetes, cancer and orthopedics, according to the report.

July 25, 2011

Discount grocery chain Bottom Dollar Food announced plans to enter the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Discount grocery chain Bottom Dollar Food announced plans to enter the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets.

The expansion includes 14 stores that will open in 2012 and is said to create more than 600 jobs.

July 19, 2011

Generic drug maker Mylan is looking for a bigger place to call home, according to published reports.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan is looking for a bigger place to call home, according to published reports.

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that Mylan was planning to move from its current 96,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Southpointe, a development in the Pittsburgh suburb of Cecil Township, to a 250,000-sq.-ft. building nearby.

The new headquarters is under construction, the newspaper reported.

July 14, 2011

Giant Eagle on Thursday unveiled its first two compressed natural gas fueling stations in the Pittsburgh area at its Beechnut Drive retail support and distribution center.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle on Thursday unveiled its first two compressed natural gas fueling stations in the Pittsburgh area at its Beechnut Drive retail support and distribution center.

July 13, 2011

GNC on Tuesday continued its management makeover with the promotions of Jeffrey Hennion and Darryl Green and the announced resignation of COO David Berg.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Tuesday continued its management makeover with the promotions of Jeffrey Hennion and Darryl Green and the announced resignation of COO David Berg.

The specialty retailer last week named Thomas Dowd, a 22-year GNC veteran, the company’s chief merchandising officer following the departure of Beth Kaplan, former president and chief merchandising officer. It also was announced last week that GNC CEO Joe Fortunato would assume the role of president.

July 5, 2011

Thomas Dowd has been named GNC EVP, chief merchandising officer and general manager, the company announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday.

PITTSBURGH — Thomas Dowd has been named GNC EVP, chief merchandising officer and general manager, the company announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday.

Dowd has served as EVP store operations and development since April 2007.

The move follows the announcement in June that Beth Kaplan would be stepping down from her role as GNC president and chief merchandising officer. Following that announcement, GNC CEO Joe Fortunato reassumed his role of president.

June 28, 2011

American Beverage has reformulated its Little Hug Fruit Barrels beverage line for kids.

PITTSBURGH — American Beverage has reformulated its Little Hug Fruit Barrels beverage line for kids.

The drinks now tout just 10 calories and have been fortified with vitamins B and E. Additionally, Little Hug Fruit Barrels' packaging has been updated to feature bright colors and a new brand logo.

June 21, 2011

General Nutrition Centers announced that its president and chief merchandising officer has resigned.

PITTSBURGH — General Nutrition Centers announced that its president and chief merchandising officer has resigned.

Beth Kaplan, who served in the role for 3.5 years, is leaving the company to pursue personal interests. As a member of the senior management team, Kaplan helped the company prepare for its recent initial public offering.

The role of president will be reassumed by GNC CEO Joe Fortunato.