Content about Pharmaceutics

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

Impax said its generics division, Global Pharmaceuticals, began shipping authorized generic zolmitriptan tablets and orally disintegrating tablets in the 2.5 mg and 5 mg strengths. The drug is a version of AstraZeneca's Zomig.

Zomig had sales of about $196 million during the 12-month period that ended in April, according to IMS Health.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Generic drug maker Sandoz has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat high blood pressure and angina.

The company, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the launch of diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules, a generic version of Forest Labs' Tiazac. Sandoz is launching the drug in the 120-mg, 180-mg, 240-mg, 300-mg, 360-mg and 420-mg strengths.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $174 million in 2012, according to IMS Health.

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.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs has settled with a subsidiary of Sanofi regarding generic versions of two drugs for dialysis patients, Impax said Tuesday.

Impax announced a settlement with Genzyme concerning generic versions of Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) 800 mg tablets and 2.4 g and 0.8 g oral suspension and Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) tablets in the 400 mg and 800 mg strengths.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Ranbaxy Labs has launched an authorized generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ranbaxy said Friday.

Ranbaxy announced the launch, through subsidiary Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals and under an agreement with Takeda, of pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets, an authorized generic version of Takeda's Actos. An authorized generic is a branded drug marketed at a reduced price under its generic name, typically by a third-party company operating under contract with the original branded drug's manufacturer.

IRVINE, Calif. — A division of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said.

Teva Health Systems announced the introduction of oxaliplatin injection in the 50-mg and 100-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Eloxatin, which had sales of $1.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

Sun, based in India, has sought to buy Israel-based Taro since 2007 and owns about 77.5% of the latter's shares.

After the merger is complete, Taro will become a privately held company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sun. Taro shareholders will receive $39.50 per share.

NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb has bought a majority stake in drug maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Bristol said Wednesday.

The New York-based drug maker said that 140.5 million shares of Amylin had been put up for sale at $31 per share, and that it now owned 85.55% of the San Diego-based company. Bristol said it planned to acquire the rest of Amylin's shares Wednesday as well.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Astrologers would say this is the Age of Pisces, while the Chinese zodiac calls it the Year of the Dragon. For health care, it might be a good time to start calling it the "Great Generic Epoch."

The trend seen in the Generic Drug Savings study, in which generic drugs count for an overwhelming majority of prescriptions written but only about one-quarter of drug spending, has been happening for some time now. But it's also accelerating, and that means a lot for drug makers and policy-makers alike.

NEW YORK — A district court ruled in favor of Pfizer and Northwestern University in a patent infringement case relating to Lyrica (pregabalin).

LONDON — British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will acquire development partner Human Genome Sciences for $3.6 billion, GSK said Monday.

The deal, worth $14.25 per share, would give GSK full ownership of the lupus drug Benlysta (belimumab), as well as albiglutide, an experimental drug for diabetes, and darapladib, an experimental heart disease drug.

WASHINGTON — Nearly 200 drugs for mental illnesses are under clinical development or under review by the Food and Drug Administration, the largest trade group for the drug industry said Thursday.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America released a report listing 187 drugs, including 52 for depression, 37 for schizophrenia and 26 for anxiety disorders.