Content about Switzerland

March 24, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

March 8, 2011

Nestle is looking to boost its coffee business.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Nestle is looking to boost its coffee business.

The company, which recently reported that its soluble coffee was a key growth driver during 2010 across all regions, said the combined performances of single-serve coffee brands Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto strengthened its leadership in the dynamic portioned coffee market. Nestle added that its Nespresso brand reached $3.24 billion in annual sales for the first time.

February 17, 2011

Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

The Novartis OTC and animal health businesses will become separate Novartis divisions, in addition to the pharmaceuticals, Sandoz (generics), vaccines and diagnostics divisions. As previously announced, following the completion of the merger between Novartis and Alcon, CIBA Vision and Novartis ophthalmic medicines will be merged into the new Alcon eye care division of Novartis.

February 2, 2011

Nestlé Health Sciences completed its acquisition of a company that develops "medical foods" for such medical conditions as kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

LUTRY, Switzerland — Nestlé Health Sciences completed its acquisition of a company that develops "medical foods" for such medical conditions as kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

February 1, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Novartis vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease in children, the Swiss drug maker said.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Novartis vaccine for preventing meningococcal disease in children, the Swiss drug maker said.

Novartis announced the approval of Menveo (meningococcal [groups A, C, Y and W-135] oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine) for active immunization to prevent certain forms of meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis in children ages 2 to 10 years. The FDA approved the vaccine last year for use in adolescents and adults ages 11 to 55 years.

January 27, 2011

Swiss drug maker Novartis posted sales of $14.2 billion for fourth quarter 2010 and $50.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

BASEL, Switzerland — Swiss drug maker Novartis posted sales of $14.2 billion for fourth quarter 2010 and $50.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

That compared with sales of $12.9 billion and $44.3 billion during fourth quarter 2009 and 2009 as a whole, respectively. Profits for the year were nearly $10 billion, an 18% increase from $8.4 billion in 2009, though profits for the quarter decreased by 2%, from fourth quarter 2009’s $2.32 billion to $2.27 billion in fourth quarter 2010.

January 18, 2011

Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a mid-stage clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody used to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, the company said.

HOLZKIRCHEN, Switzerland — Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a mid-stage clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody used to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, the company said.

Sandoz (pronounced “SAN-doh”), the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the start of a phase-2 trial of rituximab, a biosimilar of Genentech’s Rituxan, used to treat such conditions as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis.

January 17, 2011

Roche CFO Erich Hunziker will retire from the company at the end of March, the Swiss drug maker said Monday.

BASEL, Switzerland — Roche CFO Erich Hunziker will retire from the company at the end of March, the Swiss drug maker said Monday.

Hunziker was appointed CFO and a member of the corporate executive committee in 2001, and last year took on the additional role of chief information officer.

Alan Hippe, a former executive from German tire maker Continental and manufacturer ThyssenKrupp, will replace Hunziker as CFO.

December 20, 2010

With the new year approaching, Nestlé Health Science S.A. and the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences — both created to pioneer a new industry between food and pharma — became operational.

VEVEY, Switzerland — With the new year approaching, Nestlé Health Science S.A. and the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences — both created to pioneer a new industry between food and pharma — became operational.

December 15, 2010

Novartis on Wednesday announced that its merger agreement with Alcon has been settled to the tune of $12.9 billion. The new $8.7 billion Alcon eye care division, which includes CIBA Vision and selected ophthalmic medicines, will be led by current Alcon president and CEO Kevin Buehler.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Wednesday announced that its merger agreement with Alcon has been settled to the tune of $12.9 billion. The new $8.7 billion Alcon eye care division, which includes CIBA Vision and selected ophthalmic medicines, will be led by current Alcon president and CEO Kevin Buehler.

Shares of Novartis were up 7.6% to more than $60 in early morning trading.

"The full merger is the logical conclusion of our initial strategic investment in Alcon,” stated Daniel Vasella, Novartis chairman.

November 17, 2010

MinuteClinic, CVS Caremark's network of walk-in medical clinics, was highlighted as a breakthrough innovator in...

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, CVS Caremark's network of walk-in medical clinics, was highlighted as a breakthrough innovator in healthcare delivery by the World Economic Forum's Innovative Health Care Delivery Project.

In addition, MinuteClinic president and CVS Caremark SVP and associate chief medical officer Andrew Sussman presented MinuteClinic's approach to care at a World Economic Forum satellite session attended by healthcare experts, regulatory representatives, researchers and other innovators in Montreux, Switzerland, this week.

October 25, 2010

An investigative vaccine made by Novartis appears to offer good protection against meningococcal disease in...

BASEL, Switzerland An investigative vaccine made by Novartis appears to offer good protection against meningococcal disease in infants, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

 

The Swiss drug maker said results of a phase-3 trial showed that Menveo (meningococcal group A, C, W135 and Y) induced immune responses in a high percentage of babies against four strains of the bacteria. Meningococcal disease occurs suddenly and can cause serious illness and often death during the first year of life.

 

 

October 11, 2010

Alcon on Monday announced the launch of Systane Balance lubricant eye drops, formulated with HP...

HUENENBERG, Switzerland Alcon on Monday announced the launch of Systane Balance lubricant eye drops, formulated with HP Guar, borate, sorbitol, propylene glycol and Alcon’s exclusive LipiTech System -- an emulsion technology of mineral oil and an anionic phospholipid. The new eye drop is designed to restore the lipid layer and the natural tear film to allow for relief of dry-eye symptoms.

 

October 7, 2010

Swiss drug maker Roche has bought the rights to an investigative treatment for hepatitis C,...

BASEL, Switzerland Swiss drug maker Roche has bought the rights to an investigative treatment for hepatitis C, Roche said.

 

The company announced Thursday that it had purchased global development and commercialization rights to the drug RG7227/ITMN-191 (danoprevir) from InterMune for $175 million.

 

 

Roche said the drug had shown promise in preclinical and early clinical development. The two companies have been developing the drug since 2006.

 

October 4, 2010

Eye care company Alcon has appointed a new executive....

HUENENBERG, Switzerland Eye care company Alcon has appointed a new executive.

 

The Swiss drug maker announced Monday the appointment of Robert Karsunky as SVP and CFO, effective Nov. 1. He succeeds Richard Croarkin, who has served as Alcon’s CFO since August 2007.

 

 

September 22, 2010

Eyecare company Alcon has launched a new drug for inflammatory eye conditions....

HUENENBERG, Switzerland Eyecare company Alcon has launched a new drug for inflammatory eye conditions.

 

Alcon announced the launch of TobraDex ST (tobramycin, dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) in the 0.3%/0.5% strength. The drug is used to treat inflammatory eye conditions treatable with corticosteroids and where bacterial infection or risk of infection exists.

 

 

August 25, 2010

Novartis on Thursday announced that it has completed its purchase of Alcon stock from Nestle,...

BASEL, Switzerland Novartis on Thursday announced that it has completed its purchase of Alcon stock from Nestle, resulting in 77% ownership of Alcon. This has been achieved by completing the acquisition of the remaining 52% of Alcon shares owned by Nestle for a total of $28.3 billion.

 

August 23, 2010

Swiss drug maker Roche will acquire a U.S. diagnostics company that develops technology used to...

BASEL, Switzerland Swiss drug maker Roche will acquire a U.S. diagnostics company that develops technology used to create images of patients’ tissue samples.

Roche announced that it would acquire all of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based BioImagene for $100 million. BioImagene works in the field of digital pathology, a technology that allows the capturing, management and analysis of images of patients’ tissue samples, creating high-resolution images from glass microscope slides.

July 12, 2010

A developer of a new drug for treating lupus has entered a supply agreement with...

July 5, 2010

Novartis last week announced that it expects the closing of the transaction for 77% majority...

February 16, 2010

The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced the opening of its international headquarters in...

WASHINGTON The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced the opening of its international headquarters in Manno, Switzerland. CRN will be opening a new wholly-owned entity to be known as the Council for Responsible Nutrition-International (CRN-I), the dietary supplement industry association announced.

August 21, 2007

Food company Nestle is considering all options for its stake in the French beauty company...