Content about Pharmaceutical industry in the People's Republic of China

December 18, 2012

Reports: Merz Pharmaceuticals sues Par over cerebral palsy drug

Drug maker Merz Pharmaceuticals is suing Par Pharmaceutical over the latter's attempt to market a generic drug for cerebral palsy patients, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Merz Pharmaceuticals is suing Par Pharmaceutical over the latter's attempt to market a generic drug for cerebral palsy patients, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Merz sued Par in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after Par attempted to apply for Food and Drug Administration approval for a generic version of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) oral solution, used to treat severe drooling in cerebral palsy patients.

The drug received FDA approval this year, and Merz bought rights to the drug in August.

December 17, 2012

Takeda to sell URL Pharma to Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs

Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. is selling its generics business to India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Takeda said.

OSAKA, Japan — Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical is selling its generics business to India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Takeda said Monday.

Takeda said it would sell URL Pharma, through U.S. subsidiary Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, to Sun subsidiary Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs while retaining control of the gout treatment Colcrys (colchicine). Takeda acquired rights to Colcrys when it bought URL Pharma for $800 million in June 2012; financial terms of the current deal with Caraco were not disclosed.

December 11, 2012

Reports: SCOTUS to take up branded-generic patent settlements

The Supreme Court will review settlements between branded and generic drug companies that critics say delay patients' access to cheaper drug treatments, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The Supreme Court will review settlements between branded and generic drug companies that critics say delay patients' access to cheaper drug treatments, according to published reports.

Politico reported that the justices had agreed to hear three cases, including Federal Trade Commission v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, involving settlements between branded and generic drug companies that critics deride as "pay-for-delay" deals.

November 29, 2012

Industry divided over patent settlements

Patent settlements between generic and branded drug companies seem like one of the most controversial and long-standing issues in the pharmaceutical world, with strong opinions on both sides. 

November 28, 2012

Leading retailers, suppliers gather in NYC for 14th annual Industry Issues Summit

As New York City enjoyed the first snowfall of the winter season, industry leaders gathered for the 14th annual Industry Issues Summit to discuss the top issues and trends impacting the industry, including the importance of seizing “whitespaces.”

NEW YORK — As New York City enjoyed the first snowfall of the winter season, industry leaders gathered for the 14th annual Industry Issues Summit to discuss the top issues and trends impacting the industry, including the importance of seizing “whitespaces.”

The all-day event was held on Tuesday at the New York Athletic Club, located just across the street from Central Park.

November 15, 2012

Shipments of generic version of Bontril PDM begins

Initial shipment of a generic appetite suppressant has started, the drug's manufacturer said Thursday.

NORTHVALE, N.J. — Initial shipment of a generic appetite suppressant has started, the drug's manufacturer said Thursday.

Elite Pharmaceuticals announced the initial shipment of phendimetrazine tartrate tablets in the 35-mg strength, a generic version of Valeant's Bontril PDM, under a manufacturing and supply agreement with Mikah Pharma. Actavis, recently acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals, will distribute the drug as part of a distribution agreement between Mikah and Actavis.

November 8, 2012

Acura Pharmaceuticals moves forward with plans to launch diversion-hindering PSE product

Acura Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday shared with analysts details on its launch strategy of Nexafed, a pseudoephedrine formulated such that in inhibits the diversion to methamphetamnine.

PALATINE, Ill. — Acura Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday shared with analysts details on its launch strategy of Nexafed, a pseudoephedrine formulated such that it inhibits the diversion to methamphetamnine.

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

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 24, 2012

Mylan hopes to stop Watson launch of diabetes drug

Mylan is challenging a federal court decision ordering the Food and Drug Administration to allow Watson Pharmaceuticals to launch a generic diabetes drug, Mylan said.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan is challenging a federal court decision ordering the Food and Drug Administration to allow Watson Pharmaceuticals to launch a generic diabetes drug, Mylan said.

The generic drug maker said it filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Tuesday to stay the court's order, which called on the FDA to let Watson launch a generic version of Takeda's Type 2 diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone).

October 22, 2012

Watson, Actavis divest more drugs as condition for FTC merger approval

Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

NEW YORK – Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

October 19, 2012

HDMA Factbook: 2011 health product sales reach $294 billion

Healthcare product sales through the nation’s primary healthcare distributors hit a record high of $294 billion in 2011, according to the 2012-2013 HDMA Factbook released Friday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Healthcare product sales through the nation’s primary healthcare distributors hit a record high of $294 billion in 2011, according to the 2012-2013 HDMA Factbook released Friday. Specifically, pharmaceutical products moved by distributors represent approximately 90% of sales in the United States.

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.

September 25, 2012

Why Alliance Boots?

As the largest single purchaser of prescription drugs in the world, with a global pharmaceutical wholesale operation to match, in-house manufacturing capabilities in over-the-counter health and wellness and generic drugs, Walgreens-Alliance Boots will have a whole lot more influence on the pharmacy side of its business. 

Much has been written already about Walgreens’ epic, two-step acquisition of Alliance Boots that in the end could be valued at $16 billion. As the largest single purchaser of prescription drugs in the world, with a global pharmaceutical wholesale operation to match, in-house manufacturing capabilities in over-the-counter health and wellness and generic drugs, Walgreens-Alliance Boots will have a whole lot more influence on the pharmacy side of its business. 

September 20, 2012

Alliance Boots acquires stake in Chinese wholesale market

Alliance Boots, under the terms of a strategic alliance agreement signed earlier this week, announced that it will acquire a 12% stake in Nanjing Pharmaceutical for a total consideration of approximately $90.7 million.

LONDON — Alliance Boots, under the terms of a strategic alliance agreement signed earlier this week, announced that it will acquire a 12% stake in Nanjing Pharmaceutical for a total consideration of approximately $90.7 million. On completion of the transaction, which is subject to various regulatory approvals, Alliance Boots will be the second largest shareholder in Nanjing Pharmaceutical with board and operational management representation.

September 5, 2012

Bayer, Onyx seek approval for gastrointestinal tumor drug

Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals are seeking approval for a new drug to treat tumors of the gut, the companies said.

WAYNE, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals are seeking approval for a new drug to treat tumors of the gut, the companies said.

Bayer and Onyx announced the submission to the Food and Drug Administration of an application seeking approval for regorafenib in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GIST. Bayer developed the drug and formed a partnership with Onyx in 2011, whereby Onyx will receive a royalty on future global net sales of the drug in cancer-related indications. Both companies will promote the drug in the United States.

September 4, 2012

Valeant buys Medicis for $2.6 billion

Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International is buying Medicis Pharmaceutical for $2.6 billion, Valeant said Monday.

MONTREAL — Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International is buying Medicis Pharmaceutical for $2.6 billion, Valeant said Monday.

The $44-per-share deal, which the companies said represents a 39% premium over the closing price of Medicis' shares on Friday, is expected to close in the first half of 2013.

August 30, 2012

Hospira buys Indian manufacturing, R&D center

Generic drug maker Hospira has acquired a manufacturing and research and development center from an Indian drug maker for $200 million, Hospira said Wednesday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has acquired a manufacturing and research and development center from an Indian drug maker for $200 million, Hospira said Wednesday.

Hospira said it bought the Food and Drug Administration-approved active pharmaceutical ingredient factory and R&D facility in Aurangabad, India, from Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, saying it would reduce Hospira's costs, support its supplying of antibiotics and pave the way for future API development.