PTV News

HGS seeks mAbs

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Human Genome Sciences and Sweden’s BioInvent have announced a collaboration to co-develop and commercialize therapeutic antibodies that specifically target antigens discovered by HGS.

Under the terms of the agreement, BioInvent will apply its state-of-the art, antibody discovery technology n-CoDeR, to generate and develop monoclonal antibody candidates. The partnership will initially focus on the field of inflammation. HGS and BioInvent will share the costs of research, development, manufacturing and commercialization as well as future revenues.

BioInvent already has a broad portfolio of therapeutic antibodies, with four products currently in clinical development and has partnerships with the likes of Genentech, Roche, Bayer and Daiichi Sankyo. So what makes the company’s discovery platform so successful? Earlier I spoke to BioInvent’s President and CEO Svein Mathisen...

AZ in Torrent Deal

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello. AstraZeneca is teaming up with India’s Torrent Pharmaceuticals in a deal which will give the pharmagiant a portfolio of generic drugs which it plans to brand and sell in emerging markets.

The deal initially involves Astra buying licenses for 18 Torrent products marketed in nine countires. Neither the products, the countries or the financial terms have been disclosed.

An AstraZeneca spokesman said Torrent was a logical partner because of its complemenatry portfolio and proven ability to manufacture to the anglo-Swedish company’s own high quality standards. With me is PharmaVentures’ Nigel Borshell…

Lipids Warning

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello. Pharmaceutical companies responsible for the world’s biggest selling drugs will be reading with interest a report that says only half of patients at high risk from heart disease are given the right information about statins. The findings suggest that millions of people are at increased risk of heart disease while Pfizer’s Lipitor and AstraZeneca’s Crestor could be missing out on billions of dollars in sales because of poor advice from clinicians.

The German research concentrated on levels of LDL – so called “bad cholesterol”. They studied data from more than 25,000 patients and 907 doctors, and found that correct LDL targets were established in only 55% of male patients and 49% of females. They concluded that over 10 years as many as 80 cardiac events or strokes per 1000 patients could be averted if doctors correctly followed guidelines on cholesterol-lowering targets.

The researchers say that because women are often perceived as having a lower cardio-vascular risk, they’re more likely to get insufficient statins treatment.

Among their recommendations: simpler guidelines on safe cholesterol levels, better identification of high-risk patients and more attention on women.

The researchers note that similar data has been reported from Italy and say the German picture is likely to be replicated around the world.

News Headlines

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello I’m Paul Larsmon - it’s March 9th, 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News – reporting worldwide on “the business of healthcare”. The big stories today:

Cutting cholesterol – new report says only half of high risk heart patients get the right advice about statins.

Branded generics – AstraZeneca teams up with India’s Torrent. We’ll have analysis.

And Human Genome Sciences in drug discovery deal with Sweden’s BioInvent.

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

GSK Backs Cellzome

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: GlaxoSmithKline has entered its second drug discovery pact with anglo-german biotech Cellzome. In a deal worth up to 690 million dollars, the companies will work together to develop tablet treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other serious inflammatory diseases.

Cellzome will get 45 million dollars upfront plus development and commercialisation milestone payments of up to 645 million dollars. The previous deal with GSK, signed in 2008 was worth a potential 1.3 billion dollars.

The research will use Cellzome’s epishere technology in the emreging new field of epigenetics.

Epigenetics relates to changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in DNA sequence. Cellzome say that epigentic mechanisms play a key role in controlling immune cell differentiation and inflammatory gene expression during an excessive inflammatory response.

It’s a long term prospect for Glaxo. Potential new drug candidates are still up to four years away from beginning clinical trials – and several more years will elapse before any may be ready for approval.

Novartis Cancer Bet

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Novartis has snapped up an option to buy the rights to Transgene's promising late-stage cancer vaccine, in a deal that could net the French company n early a billion dollars.

TG4010 is currently in development for treating non-small cell lung cancer but could also be used in other potential cancer indications.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay Transgene $10 million dollars for the option to acquire an exclusive worldwide license for the drug, depending on the outcome of a Phase IIb clinical trial which is due to begin at the end of the year. If the option is exercised, Transgene could receive up to $955 million dollars in milestones, as well co-promotion rights in certain countries and royalties on global sales. Novartis meanwhile will take over the program and all costs related to the drug's development, regulatory approval and marketing across all of TG4010's indications.

Analysts say such option deal structures have become increasingly popular of late, allowing big pharma companies to limit their exposure whilst providing developers like Transgene the 'A' route to becoming fully integrated biopharmaceuticals.

Abbott Buys Facet

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Shareholders in Facet Biotech Corporation are celebrating after the company was bought by Abbott Laboratories in a deal which vindicates Facet’s decision to reject last year’s hostile bid from Biogen.

Abbott will pay 27 dollars a share – 54% more than Biogen offered. The price amounts to 722 million dollars minus Facet’s 272 million dollars in cash and securities, meaning Abbott will pay a total of 450 million dollars. Facet shares were up by as much as 67% on the announcement..

The biotech’s assets include potential MS blockbuster daclizumab. Also under development are several cancer candidates. With me is PharmaVentures’ Mel Hemamda…

News Headlines

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello I’m Paul Larsmon - it’s March 9th, 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News – reporting worldwide on “the business of healthcare”. The big stories today:

Vindicated: Facet shareholders celebrate after Abbott bests Biogen offer by 54%

Option open: Novartis gambles 10 million dollars on trials of Transgene’s lung cancer candidate

And back for more: Glaxo signs second drug discovery deal with Cellzome

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

Cancer Pain Success

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello. A big step forward is being reported in the treatment of debilitating pain flare-ups suffered by cancer patients. Phoenix based Insys Therapeutics has announced positive results from a pivotal late stage efficacy trial of its Fentanyl Sublingual Spray.

The spray, administered under a patient’s tongue, has been developed to help patients who suffer what’s known as breakthrough pain, a flare-up which overcomes the relief provided by round-the clock analgesics, and which can happen between two and 7 times a day.

The sub lingual spray significantly improved summary of pain intensity difference scores at 30 minutes and as early as five minutes compared to placebo.

According to Insys, no other transmucosal Fentanyl product has produced pain relief this quickly and it could be of great benefit to patients who experience moderate to severe cancer breakthrough pain. The company also believes the sub lingual delivery system may aid patients who are unable to take other drugs due to difficulty in swallowing.

Genmab Share Plunge

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Shares in Denmark’s Genmab have been hammered after the company reported the failure of phase III trials for its head and neck cancer drug zalitumumab. At one point the price was down 30% at a six year low.

The drug, which was expected to be Genmab’s next big seller, failed to meet its primary end point.

Patients who received it plus best supportive care attained a median survival of 6.7 months. Those on best care alone attained 5.2 months but the slight improvement wasn’t considered statistically significant.

Genmab says it will analyse the data to see if there’s any future for the drug but many analysts are sceptical about its prospects. It’s reported that the company has funds for the next three years, providing it can sell its US manufacturing facility in Minnnesota, put up for sale late last year. The trials results haven’t caused the company to changed its financial guidance for 2010.

Animal Health JV

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Merck and Co and sanofi-aventis are joining forces to create the biggest player in the 19 billion dollar animal health market. The 50/50 joint venture combines sanofi’s Merial unit with Merck’s Intervet/Schering Plough. The french pharmacompany will pay Merck a total of a billion dollars to even up the two companies’ stakes in the new concern.

Most of Merial’s sales come from products for pets – its top seller is the flea treatment Frontline for cats and dogs and Merial is mostly focussed on the Americas. Intervet/Schering Plough meanwhile concentrates on live stock: 75% of its 2008 sales came from Bovipast,its respiratory vaccine for cattle. ISP is more present in Europe and emerging markets. The joint venture would have about 29% of global market share compared to current front-runner Pfizer’s 20%.

Joining me is PharmaVentures’ Tibor Papp…

News Headlines

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello I’m Paul Larsmon - it’s March 9th, 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News – reporting worldwide on “the business of healthcare”. The big stories today:

Animal magic: Merck and sanofi join forces to create the biggest player in a 19 billion dollar market.

Trials and tribulations: Genmab shares take a hit after negative phase III results for its cancer drug.

And easing agony: Positive results for pain-relieving spray.

PharmaTelevision News: Join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

ratiopharm Wooed

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Pfizer’s banking on the Kindler effect as it wheels out its big guns in the battle to buy German generic drugmaker Ratiopharm. Jeff Kindler, the CEO of the world’s biggest pharmacompany was among several top flight executives to descend on Ratiopharm’s home town of Ulm in Southern Germany to make a private presentation to managers.

According to reports Mr Kindler promised investment, integration into Pfizer’s Established Products Business Unit, and a plan to make Ratiopharm the focus of Pfizer’s European generics business. In particular he was said to be interested in the German company’s expertise in bio-similars.

Pfizer’s foray follows the visit of Israeli generics giant Teva a few days ago. Iceland’s Actavis is expected to outline its offer this week. Ratiopharm’s final price is expected to be in the region of 4 billion dollars.

AstraZeneca Cancer Drug Beaten

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello. AstraZeneca's cancer pill Recentin has failed in a head-to-head late-stage trial with Roche's blockbuster Avastin.

The Horizon III study, which is the first of two pivotal trials in colorectal cancer, was trying to prove oral Recentin wasn’t inferior to injectable Avastin in keeping patients alive without disease progression. The experimental drug did not meet the primary endpoint.

A second study, Horizon II, is testing Recentin combined with chemotherapy against chemotherapy alone. Results are expected in the coming months. The firm also said results of a separate late stage trial with Recentin in treating recurrent glioblastoma brain tumours, which has shown promise in mice, are also expected in the first half of this year.

Analysts predict Recentin sales could reach around $329 million dollars by 2013 and in a statement AstraZeneca said the latest setback doesn’t affect its financial forecast for this year or for the period 2010 to 2014.

Roche Drug Pulled

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello. Roche and Biogen Idec are suspending trials of their experimental drug ocrelizumab for the treatment of arthritis and lupus. It follows a recommendation from an independent safety monitoring board which concluded that the risks of taking the drug outweighed the benefits.

Specifically the drug was linked to “serious and opportunistic infections” – some of which were fatal. Trials for multiple sclerosis are currently continuing. If it had been approved for all three uses, peak sales were forecast at up to 2 billion dollars.

With me is PharmaVentures’ Josef Walker…

News Headlines

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Paul Larsmon: Hello I’m Paul Larsmon - it’s March 8th 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News – reporting worldwide on “the business of healthcare”. The big stories today:

Suspended: Roche’s RA drug pulled after safety studies reveal fatal infections. We’ll have in depth analysis.

Avastin victorious: AstraZeneca’s Recentin can’t beat Roche’s blockbuster.

And the Kindler effect: Pfizer sends in the big guns in the battle to buy Ratiopharm.

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in-depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

Winners & Losers

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. Time now for the last of our reports about pharmadeals and the global recession. Paul Larsmon is with PharmaVentures Senior Advisor Nigel Borshell.

Cancer Trial Results

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. Two experimental prostate cancer drugs from Dendreon and sanofi-aventis will be exciting the interest of shareholders and investors after positive data from separate late stage trials. Dendreon’s Provenge is likely to gain approval in Spring and is being closely watched as a potential blockbuster.

Provenge, which stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells, is forecast to generate sales of 1 point 2 billion in it’s first year, potentially rising to 2 point 5 billion annually by 2011 and some analysts believe it could eventually surpass 5 billion in sales.

The latest trial results show Provenge improved the 3 year survival rate of patients with advanced prostate cancer by 40 per cent. Meanwhile trials of sanofi-aventis’ Cabazitaxel also showed significantly improved survival rates. It’s the first drug shown to break down tumours and prolong life.

Cabazitaxel is expected to generate global sales of 295 million dollars by 2014 and to cost about 2 and a half thousand dollars per treatment cycle.

The trial showed a 30 per cent improvement in survival rates for patients with treatment resistant tumours. Cabazitaxel is also expected to be approved this year.

Vaxart Funding

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. Could we be seeing a financial spring thaw for biotec? There was fresh evidence today of a renewed appetite for investment as start-up Vaxart secured venture round funding for early stage trials of it’s oral vaccine technology.

The San Francisco based biotec has banked 12 and a half million dollars as it builds a portfolio of orally delivered vaccines. The funding will see it’s lead product, an oral Avian flu vaccine, through Phase 1 trials.

Vaxart’s technology relies on an adjuvant that works through a toll-like receptor, TLR3, to stimulate an immune response when the vaccine is given as a pill instead of being injected.

So what are we to make of these green shoots, with me is PharmaVentures Senior Advisor Shreesh Saurya. Shreesh, what does this deal mean for this sector? And what now for Vaxart?

News Headlines

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright, it’s March 5th 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare. The big stories today:

Green Shoots?: Financial times may still be tough but it seems there’s still an appetite to invest, as biotec start-up Vaxart secures vaccine funding.

Prostate Progress:could a new cancer blockbuster be in the offing as Sanofi-Aventis and Dendreon both announce positive late stage trial data.

And Deals in a Downturn: we’ll be assessing the winners and losers through the global recession and asking what will concern over healthcare costs mean for pharma?

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

Risk Aversion

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. It’s time now for the fourth in our series of reports about pharmadeals and the global recession. Paul Larsmon is with PharmaVentures Senior Advisor Nigel Borshell...

Dimebon Study

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. There was a short sharp response from investors to news that Medivations late stage Alzheimer’s drug trial failed to meet it's endpoints.

Shares in the US biopharma fell sharply yesterday with the announcement that data showed almost no difference between the effects of the drug, Dimebon, and the placebo.

Medivation’s partner in the study, Pfizer, had paid 225 million dollars upfront to licence Dimebon with the potential for a further 500 million dollars in milestones.

The phase 3 study involved 600 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and compared 6 months of treatment with dimebon on it's own against placebo. The finding that it performed no better than placebo was described as "unexpected" and a "disappointment.

An estimated 30 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s, forecasts suggest that could triple by 2050. Current Alzheimer’s drugs generate about 5 billion dollars in sales annually.

Medivation and Pfizer are conducting several other late stage trials some which combine Dimebon with Pfizer's Aricept. Well, earlier I spoke to Navid Malik a pharma and biotec analyst at Matrix Corp Capital and began by asking him...

Development Deal

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: In an exclusive worldwide licensing deal, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Allergan are to jointly develope a drug to treat chronic pain from tissue damage.

The agreement comes as BMS, like most big pharma, is lining up new therapies in preparation for existing products losing patent protection.

Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay Allergan 40 million dollars up front for the right to develop, manufacture and commercialise the drug. It’ll also pay up to 373 million dollars in regulatory based milestones, plus royalties on world wide sales.

The drug, currently referred to as AGN-209323, is Phase 2 ready. It’s an oral treatment for neuropathic pain from tissue injury and could be used in patients with arthritis, cancer and nerve damage.

French biotec ExonHit will also benefit under the deal as it’s already collaborating with Allergan on the drug.

News Headlines

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright - it’s March 4th 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare. The big stories today:

Joining Forces: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Allergan in 400 million dollar deal to develop pain drug.

Alzheimer’s set back: Medivations Dimebon study fails to meet Phase 3 trial goals.

And Deals in a Downturn: As we assess the impact of the global recession on pharma deals we’ll be analysing the effects of risk aversion.

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

Components & Trends

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. Time now for the third of our reports investigating pharmadeals and the global recession. Paul Larsmon’s with PharmaVentures’ Senior Advisor Nigel Borshell...

AstraZeneca Jobs Go

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: AstraZeneca has fleshed out it’s R&D restructuring plans announcing the loss of 1800 jobs and closures at some of it’s 17 major research centres.

And even though it’s bracing for patent expires on some of it’s most valuable drugs, the pharma giant also said it is to abandon discovery research in 10 disease areas.

Drug discovery will end in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. As well as for ovarian and bladder cancers, and hepatitis C.

Under the reorganisation Astra will close UK sites in Cambridge and in Leicestershire where 12 hundred people work. It’ll also shut its Swedish research facility in Lund, and it’ll halt early stage discovery work at it’s Wilmington facility in the US.

AstraZeneca isn’t alone in taking the knife to R&D, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline have also announced cuts in both research jobs and discovery areas.

Archimedes US$100M

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: In the biggest European funding round for a biotech in fifteen years, the UKs Archimedes Pharma has raised a hundred million dollars. The speciality drugmaker plans to use the funding to establish operations in the US and to grow it's European business.

Archimedes focuses on the oncology, neurology and critical care sectors. It was founded in 2004 around the acquisition of West Pharmaceutical Services, and 40 million dollars for product development was put in by Warburg Pincus.

The new funding will also be used for the global commercial launch of PecFent, Archimedes fentanyl nasal spray to treat cancer pain. Phase 3 studies showed PecFent relieved pain within 5 minutes of dosing. It's expected to be approved for sale in the US and Europe later this year.

Archimedes also has a new chief exec, Jeffrey Buchalter, his aim he says is to accelerate European expansion and build US ops. Joining me now to discuss the way forward for Archimedes is PharmaVentures' Steven Renwick. Steven …

News Headlines

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright - it’s March 3rd 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare. The big stories today:

Fundraising Record: Archimedes raises a hundred million dollars in Europe’s biggest round for a biopharma in 15 years.

R&D Shake-up: AstraZeneca cuts research posts halting an estimated quarter of its drug discovery work.

And Deals in a Downturn: We’ll be assessing the components of agreements shaped during the recession and identifying trends in deal payments.

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views, your channel.

Volume & Value

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. It’s time now for the second of our reports analysing the state of pharmadeals in the wake of the global recession.

Paul Larsmon is with PharmaVentures’ Senior Advisor Nigel Borshell..

AstraZeneca Buy Back

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: AstraZeneca is exercising its option with Merck & Co to take back full rights to some of its products marketed in the United States.

The British company will pay its U.S. rival 647 million dollars for its share of blood pressure drugs Atacand, Lexxel and Plendil as well as the Crohn's disease treatment Entocort.

Some in-development products, including the potential blockbuster bloodthinner Brilinta, are also part of the deal. A second option to repurchase Merck & Cos interest in heartburn drugs Nexium and Prilosec is also available to AstraZeneca beginning in 2012.

Investors had anticipated the repurchase which is part of a staged unwinding of ties between the companies that will free Astrazeneca from paying Merck royalties on U.S. sales of many of it’s medicines.

Astellas OSI Bid

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. Astellas is today launching it’s hostile tender for OSI Pharmaceuticals, it’s the Japanese drug makers’ second unsolicited bid for a biotech company in as many years. OSI executives have previously rejected approaches from Astellas, but news of the latest takeover bid saw it’s shares soar.

Astellas is offering 3.5 billion dollars for OSI, that's 52 dollars a share, and it plans to take the bid straight to shareholders after trying for 13 months to strike a deal with OSI.

Last month OSI execs said such an offer "very significantly undervalues" the business.

OSI focuses on treatments for diabetes, obesity and crucially for Astellas oncology. A successful bid would see Astellas gain access to OSI’s cancer drug Tarceva.

Astellas is Japan's number 2 drug maker and this takeover follows it’s failed 1 point 1 billion dollar offer for CV Therapeutics last year. With me to discuss the OSI bid is PharmaVentures analyst Jansen Jacob. Jansen …..

News Headlines

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright, it’s March 2nd 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare. The big stories today:

Hostile Takeover: Astellas launches a 3 point 5 billion dollar unsolicited bid for OSI pharmaceuticals, and it’s taking the offer straight to shareholders.

Exercising its options: AstraZeneca is to buy out Merck & Cos interest in some of it’s products.

And, Deals in a Downturn: we’ll be assessing the impact of the financial crisis on the volume and value of pharma-deals

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis. Your news, your views your channel.

Shire Shares Rise

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Shares in UK based pharmaco Shire hit a nine year high following news that US drug regulators have approved the marketing of VPRIV, it’s Gaucher disease drug.

The green light had been widely expected, and analysts are now forecasting sales of between 70 and 150 million dollars this year, rising to a peak of 220 million dollars. More bullish forecasts pitch sales at 500 million dollars by 2014.

Gaucher disease is a rare genetic condition which causes fat to build up in bones and organs causing liver problems and skeletal disorders.

The approval of Shire’s Vpriv for adult and paediatric patients will be a blow for Genzyme, supplies of it’s blockbuster Gaucher medicine Cerezyme were interrupted by manufacturing problems

Merck KGaA Deal Agreed

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. German pharma giant Merck has agreed to buy the US lab supplies maker Millipore in a deal which again highlights an industry wide trend of consolidation. Merck trumped a reported 6 billion dollar approach for Millipore from Thermo Fisher.

Merck has agreed to pay 7.2 billion dollars for Millipore, that’s a hundred and seven dollars a share in cash. Millipore had sales of 1 point 7 billion dollars last year.

The Merck Millipore deal is just the latest in a period of industry wide consolidation which last year saw Pfizer pay 68 billion dollars for rival Wyeth, and Abbott Laboratories buy Solvay’s pharma business for 6 point 5 billion.

Merck’s purchase of Millipore is expected to close in the second half of this year, and with me to discuss the deal is PharmaVentures' Kate Moore. Kate ……

Financial Crisis

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello. The very worst of the global financial meltdown may be over, but what impact did all that turmoil really have on the healthcare industry? In particular, what was the effect on deal making?

PharmaVentures has been investigating and all this week, we’ll be analysing the findings. Paul Larsmon is with Senior Advisor Nigel Borshell...

News Headlines

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright, it’s March 1st 2010, welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare.

The big stories today:

Sold!: Merck agrees to buy lab supplies maker Millipore as industry wide consolidation continues.

Vpriv Approved: Shire granted US marketing approval for it’s Gaucher disease medication.

And, Deals in a Downturn: just what impact has the global financial meltdown really had on pharma and biotech? We’ll be analysing its effect on the types of deals taking place.

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in-depth analysis.

Your news, your views your channel.

Patent Cases

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Pfizer, Procter & Gamble and Kimberly and Clark are among the big pharma names facing a potential claims rush in the US courts. The rash of lawsuits centre on allegations that products are falsely marked, and are being brought under a century old law designed to deter manufacturers from inaccurately claiming their products are protected by patents. A US Court ruling has prompted

What’s being described as a race to the courthouse. More than 24 lawsuits have been filed just in the past week. They involve products like Pfizer’s Advil painkiller, Novartis’s Prevacid heartburn medication and Kimberly-Clark’s adult incontinence underwear.

In December, the appeal court ruled that firms could face a federal penalty of up to $500 dollars for every item that’s falsely marked, no matter how many items were made.

However, patent experts don’t expect windfall judgments because judges have the discretion to impose lower penalties which could be just a fraction of a penny in cases with large numbers of items.

IPO Postponed

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello, there was further evidence today that the healthcare investment environment remains distinctly chilly. After announcing earlier this week that it WOULD float, Anthera Pharmaceuticals has decided to delay.

Anthera had planned to raise up to 69 million dollars from an IPO. Selling 4.61 million shares for up to 15 dollars each, giving it a market cap of 259 million dollars.

Anthera becomes the seventh US company to delay or postpone it’s IPO this year. That despite forecasts suggesting US IPOs could triple to as much as 50 billion dollars this year.

Anthera currently has no sales or profits. It’s most advanced drug candidate, an anti inflammatory, is heading towards a 6 and a half thousand patient Phase 3 trial.

Boost For Roche

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: The prospects for Roche’s blockbuster Avastin have been given a further boost by positive results from a late stage trial in women with advanced ovarian cancer. The news follows a setback earlier this week when the Swiss drug maker received disappointing results from a stomach cancer study.

The latest Phase 3 trial showed women with advanced ovarian cancer lived longer without their disease worsening, when they maintained use of Avastin after receiving the drug in combination with chemotherapy. Patients who did not continue maintenance use of Avastin, or who only received chemotherapy, did not live longer.

Avastin is made by Roche’s recently acquired Genentech unit, and last year had global sales of 5 point 7 billion dollars. Sales are seen as hitting 8 point 5 billion dollars by 2013 as Roche expands the use of Aavastin into different cancers.

Avastin works by starving tumours of blood, and joining me now to discuss it’s potential wider application is PharmaVentures Adrian Dawkes.

News Headlines

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Helen Wright: Hello I’m Helen Wright - it’s February 26th 2010. Welcome to PharmaTelevision News, reporting worldwide on the business of healthcare. The big stories today:

Avastin Advance: Positive ovarian cancer trial results boost drugs’ prospects. We’ll be assesing the implications for Roche’s blockbuster.

Anthera Delays: the drug developer decides not to float in a chilly IPO environment.

And Claims Rush: could pharma face a flood of US court claims over wrongly marked packaging?

PharmaTelevision News: join us throughout the day for the big stories, the breaking stories, interviews and in depth analysis.
Your news, your views your channel.

Pfizer Wins Approval

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Prevnar 13 childhood pneumococcal vaccine approved in US

Generic Drugs

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

US FTC case dismissed, but what does it mean for big Pharma?

Cephalon Purchase

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New data drives Cephalon to exercise option to buy Ception

News Headlines

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Megablockbuster: Pfizer's Prevnar 13 approved

Pay for Delay: US generics lawsuit dismissed

Asthma asset: Cephalon pays US$ 250M for Ception

Asian cancer pact

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lilly, Merck & Co. and Pfizer team up to create research database.

Global partnership

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Astellas and Basilea team up to develop and market antifungal

News Headlines

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Joining forces: Pharmagiants team up to fight cancer in Asia

Fighting fungus: Astellas in US$ 500M deal with Basilea

Asthma asset: Cephalon pays US$ 250M for Ception

GSK's £500M investment

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

UK tax cut on patents sees GlaxoSmithKline create a thousand jobs

AstraZeneca pays outstanding tax

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

AstraZeneca settles £505M bill and raises EPS forecast

Anthera floats, Fluidigm hesitates

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

IPO environment still shaky as healthcare flotations falter

News Headlines

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Patent box: UK tax break sees GlaxoSmithKline create 1000 jobs

Mixed messages: Anthera plans US$ 69M IPO while Fluidigm thinks twice

Settled: AstraZeneca pays taxman US$ 780M and raises forecast for 2010 earnings

GSK and FDA accused

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

US Senate probes decision to allow trials of "dangerous" Avandia

Meningitis and MS

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Swiss pharma-giant celebrates double triumph

Undercutting Genzyme

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Shire plans 15% discount on new Gaucher drug

News Headlines

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Price war: Shire to undercut Genzyme over new Gaucher drug

Too cosy: Senators attack the FDA and GlaxoSmithKline over Avandia

Super Novartis: Approval for one drug, fast-track for another

Tasigna fast-tracked

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Novartis toasts potential successor for leukemia blockbuster

New approval for Rituxan

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

FDA give green light to Roche blockbuster for CLL

Safety fears

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

FDA wants clampdown on prolonged use of leading asthma drugs

News Headlines

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Asthma alert: FDA bans prolonged use of blockbuster treatments

Wonder drug – another use approved for Roche’s Rituxan

Son of Glivec – Novartis’ successor drug gets priority review

Prostate prize

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

J&J's Cougar billion dollar gamble set to pay off after positive cancer trials

Briefing

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

FDA rejects GSKL's Horizant

FDA approved Sorin's new heart-lung machine

J&J cuts bonuses

FDA probes device approvals

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Plans to curb fast-track thumbs up for medical devices

REMS program

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

FDA approves Amgen/J&J risk control and mitigation

News Headlines

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Risks controlled: Amgen and J&J satisfy the FDA’s stricter safety measures

New hope: Impressive results for Johnson and Johnson’s prostate cancer candidate

Raising the bar: Medical device manufacturers face tougher scrutiny

Statins side-effects

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Cholesterol busters can cause diabetes

Merck & Co.'s mixed message

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Merck & Co announces soaring sales but slashes jobs

Lilly's Effient flop

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Eli Lilly's blood thinning "blockbuster" fails to deliver

News Headlines

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Flopped: Eli Lilly's Effient fails to gain a toe-hold

Profits soar, jobs slashed: Merck & Co.'s mixed bag

Statins side effect: Cholesterol drugs can up diabetes risk

Briefing

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Alzheimer's gene boosts young minds

Botox "reduces migraines"

Cutting the stink of diabetes drug

Vote of Confidence

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

AstraZeneca in billion plus deal for failed RA drug

Fake Drugs

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Illicit trade: Europe's counterfeit drugs market "worth 10.5 billion Euros"

Teva Triumph

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The world’s biggest generics company reports Q4 profits up 28%

News Headlines

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Vote of confidence: AstraZeneca in billion plus deal for failed RA drug

Teva triumph: The world’s biggest generics company reports profits up 28%

Faking it: Europe's counterfeit drugs market "worth US$ 10.5B"

[Feb 16, 10:30 GMT]

Pig Cell Potential

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A revolutionary treatment for type 1 diabetes. We interview Paul Tan, the CEO of Living Cell Technologies.

[Feb 15, 16:10 GMT]

Qualified Approval

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Novo Nordisk gets Victoza go ahead in the UK, but only in combination.

[Feb 15, 15:00 GMT]

Speed Reader

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Genome sequencing as common as a routine check-up. PharmaVentures' Adrian Dawkes comments on the implications for drug development.

[Feb 15, 13:20 GMT]

News Headlines

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Qualified approval: Novo Nordisk gets limited OK for Victoza

Speed reader: Genome sequencing "as common as a routine check-up"

Pig cell-potential: A revolutionary treatment for type 1 diabetes

[RELEASED 11:20 GMT]

Blockbuster Potential?

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Roche’s diabetes drug wows in late trials.
[RELEASED 15:00 pm GMT]

Gaucher rivals

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Genzyme set to lose blockbuster monopoly. Interview with Andy Smith, Axa Framlington Biotech Fund.
[RELEASED 15:00 pm GMT]

Generics? No Thanks!

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Generics? No Thanks!

AstraZeneca chief bucks copy-cat trend. Interview with PharmaVentures' Jansen Jacob.
[RELEASED 13:00 pm GMT]

News Headlines

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Gaucher rivals: Genzyme set to lose blockbuster monopoly

Generics- no thanks: AstraZeneca chief bucks copy-cat trendGaucher rivals:

Genzyme set to lose blockbuster monopoly
[RELEASED 10:30 am GMT]

Safety improvements

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Safety improvements:

Merck &Co in new shareholder settlement over Vioxx
[RELEASED 15:45pm GMT]

Deep breaths

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Deep breaths:

Alexza and Biovail sign US$ 130M deal to develop inhalable anti-psychotic
[RELEASED 14:30]

Four Legged Friends

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Four-legged friends:

Sanofi moves towards 20 billion dollar animal health tie-up with Merck and Co. Interview with PharmaVentures Steven Renwick.
[RELEASED 13:30]

News Headlines

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Animal health: Sanofi-Aventis plans US$ 20B tie-up with Merck

Alexza and BioVail in inhalable antipsychotic deal

Vioxx closure: final settlement for the last lawsuits [RELEASED 11:00]

Vindicated

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Vindicated:
ReNeuron wins approval for stem cell trials on stroke patients. Chief Exec interview.

Briefing

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Briefing:
Swine flu helps Sanofi
Tysabri boosts BioGen
Elan's expectations

Diversification

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Diversification:
Camera-maker Fujifilm’s foray into generic drugs

Invalid

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Invalid:
UK court overturns gene sequence patent. We examine the implications withe PharmaVentures' Joe Walker

News Headlines

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

News Headlines:

Invalid: gene sequence patent overturned by UK court

Diversification: camera-maker Fujifilm’s foray into generic drugs

Vindicated: ReNeuron can treat stroke patients with stem cells

[RELEASED 10:30 am GMT]

eCard Drugs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

eCard Drugs:

Pfizer's electronic payment system for emerging markets. [RELEASED 15:10 pm GMT]

Briefing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Briefing:

Amgen bone drug beats Novartis

FDA decision boosts Anthera IPO

Crucial Cell meeting postponed [RELEASED 14:45]

Healthier Hearts

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Healthier Hearts:
FDA approves wider use for AZ's Crestor. Analyst interview.

Rejected

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Rejected:
UK' s health cost regulator turns down Novartis's Afinitor [released 12:30 pm GMT

News Headlines

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

News Headlines
[Released 10:40 GMT]

FDA approves wider use for AZ's Crestor

UK' s health cost regulator rejects Novartis's Afinitor

Pfizer's eCard for emerging markets

Briefing

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

News in Brief: BioMarin buys LEAD Therapeutics for US$ 97M, Tacere in Hep C deal with Pfizer, Korea's US$ 1.7B drug discovery fund

Warned

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Warned: Ranbaxy Labs told to clean up act at manufacturing plants

Double Vision

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Double vision: why two drugs treating the same disease successfully are priced so differently

Stemming Cancer

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Trevor Yeung from Oxford University's Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine explains how they've speeded up studies of cancer stem cells, making them easier to grow in the lab.

News Headlines

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

PTV News: Feb 5th, 2010

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on February 5th, 2010:

Cutting costs: Glaxo snips away at drug discovery

Misleading: Big Pharma warned again about prescription drug promotions

Taminco pulls IPO citing unfavourable market conditions

News in Brief

The "artificial pancreas" bringing hope to diabetics

PTV News: Feb 4th, 2010

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on February 4th, 2010:

Malaria breakthrough: The vaccine protecting children from killer disease

Early investment – Glaxo bets on Apeiron’s phase I lung drug

Ratiopharm sale "a two horse race"

News in brief: Neurosearch's successful trials, BMS freezes salaries, AstraZeneca faces 26,000 Seroquel suits

Market growth: Could booming babies boost Viagra profits?

PTV News: Feb 3rd, 2010

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on February 3rd, 2010:

Roche profits plummet after Genentech integration costs

Spectrum analysis: TopoTarget’s belinostat viewed as good bet

Amgen battles Teva over generic Neupogen

Company News in Brief: Ironwood IPO, Galapagos buys Argenta unit, Abbott's deal with Pierre Fabre

Hands up: FDA approval for Dupuytren’s drug

PTV News: Feb 2nd, 2010

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on February 2nd, 2010:

German generics – Cephalon pays half a billion for Mepha

Big pharma told to in-license experimental drugs

Stent settlement – Boston Scientific pays Johnson & Johnson in patent row

Research news in brief

The ghost molecule that makes RA cells commit suicide

PTV News: Feb 1st, 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on February 1st, 2010:

Targeting jobs: GSK’s plans to slash workforce

Floating: Ironwood hopes to raise a quarter billion

Flexion flexes muscles with four big pharmas

Daiichi seeks Japanese approval for Laninamivir

The ins and outs of tax-breaks for R&D

Man boob bonanza: The surge in male breast reductions

PTV News: Jan 29th, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 29th, 2010:

Mixed messages: Big pharma’s differing predictions

Icahn's stalking Biogen again

News in brief

Stalling schizophrenia: Could early intervention stop disease development?

Super survivors: The drugs that could keep soldiers alive

PTV News: Jan 28th, 2010

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 28th, 2010:

Dumped: Pfizer drops 100 experimental drugs

Drug abuse: Jackson’s death focuses new FDA guidelines

Amgen and GSK in Enbrel promotion pact

Action Shares

Appetite regulator Leptin to enter trials

Better than Viagra: Why a president prefers pork

PTV News: Jan 27th, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 27th, 2010:

Unenforceable: Court rules against Merck & Co. over Temodar patent

Sniffing cancer: How odour sensing locates lung tumours

900 jobs in Texas personalised healthcare JV

Action Shares

Novartis warns governments over H1NI contracts

True grit: A new use for unused flu drugs

PTV News: Jan 26th, 2010

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 26h, 2010:

Quitting while he’s ahead: Novartis boss steps down as profits go up

Novo Nordisk eyes diabetes blockbuster

Banned: AIDS Foundation tells Merck & Co. reps they’re not welcome

Action Shares

AstraZeneca denies it "pressurised" manager over Seroquel weight risks

The eyes have it: How ancient Egyptians’ make-up fought infections

PTV News: Jan 25th, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 25th, 2010:

Walking with Elan: MS drug gets FDA approval

Hiring hundreds: Genzyme forecasts better days ahead

Huge growth predicted in obesity drug market

Action Shares

Novartis fund to develop drugs for neglected diseases

Milking it: how bunnies are helping stroke victims

PTV News: Jan 22nd, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 22nd, 2010:

Pulled: Abbott’s Meridia deemed too dangerous

Difficile defeated? Merck’s dramatic trial results

Glaxo warning about South African power hikes

Action Shares

"Silent pandemic" - the diseases threatening developing health systems

Sitting uncomfortably - the health risks of desk-life

PTV News: Jan 21st, 2010

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 21st, 2010:

Blood ties: Ipsen and Inspiration unite to fight haemophilia

Roche and Koreans in Alzheimer's alliance

'Grossly inadequate':Alcon directors’ verdict on Novartis bid

Action Shares

Galloping Galapagos: "number one biotech in the world". Recorded at BioBusiness 2010, London

Extraordinary Measures: the Genzyme movie starring Harrison Ford

PTV News: Jan 20th, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 20th, 2010:

Obama healthcare reforms "on life support" after Republican victory

Turning Japanese: Novartis gets approval for three drugs

GenVec in hearing loss deal with Novartis

Action Shares

GSK opts for slim profits from malaria vaccine

Wizard wasps: the tiny insects aiding genetic research

PTV News: Jan 19, 2010

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 19th, 2010:

Enemy Alli – FDA warns of counterfeit weight loss drug

Getting personal – AstraZeneca’s diagnostics deal with Dako

Teva and Pfizer "last contenders" in battle to buy Ratiopharm

Personalised medicine - Argos style

Fair competition: Bayer denies Levitra price fixing

PTV News: Jan 18, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 18th, 2010:

Under fire: J&J criticised over kickbacks and drug recall delays

Eastern treasure: Glaxo forecasts 10% growth in Asia-Pacific

Global healthcare fraud "costs US$ 260B"

Action Shares

Fully integrated healthcare - Ernst and Young's vision for 2010

Petri dish pork: Could meat be grown in the lab?

PTV News: Jan 15, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 15th, 2010 (100th programme):

Not guilty: Top WHO official denies swine flu conspiracy

Novartis embraces smart pill technology

Merck & Co seeks new approval for Gardasil

Action Shares

Breast cancer breakthrough: New ways of blocking oestrogen

And poo bear: The droppings giving clues about MRSA

PTV News: Jan 14, 2010

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 14th, 2010:

Alzheimer’s bonanza: Blood pressure drugs "stop disease progression"

Rare opportunity: Actelion gets new approval for Zavesca

Diabetes epidemic: The true cost revealed

Action Shares

2010 according to Novartis

Why oh why? How the male chromosome is evolving fastest

PTV News: Jan 13, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 13th, 2010:

Takeover rebels: Novartis buyout of Alcon under threat

Paying off: GSK’s three year old Crohn’s deal

Tysabri fears overcome with blockbuster status

Action Shares

"Misleading" - big pharma rapped for exaggeration

Fat chance: Why weight on your hips, bum and thighs is healthy

PTV News: Jan 12, 2010

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 12th, 2010:

Scare-mongering: European health chiefs accuse big pharma over swine flu

Japan set to welcome Indian generics

Inhaler delayed – MannKind hit by last minute FDA decision

Action Shares

Seeking synergy - Pfizer and Merck & Co announce latest job cull

Vanquishing Viagra: Vivus drug "works twice as fast"

PTV News: Jan 11, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 11th, 2010:

Actemra approved: Roche RA gets FDA green light

CKD deal: Reata Pharmaceuticals inks licensing pact with Kyowa Hakko Kirin

Teva soars to 15-year high on revenue forecast of US $31Bn in 2015

Action Shares

Alien invaders: Study reveals 8% of 'human' DNA comes from viruses

Gene genius: Neuroscientists combine herpes and 'Sleeping Beauty' to improve gene therapy

PTV News: Jan 8, 2010

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 8th, 2010:

Huge potential: Vivus obesity drug cuts sleep apnea too

Lundbeck investigated by EU over generic claims

Second stab: Debiopharm to develop Pfizer failure

Cyclacel's changing fortunes

Action Shares

Risk averse: Why Australian investors are still shy of biotech

Glaxowood: Why the drugs giant is financing a film about over-eating

PTV News: Jan 7, 2010

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 7th, 2010:

HIV hopes – Gilead’s quad programme in trials triumph

Schizophrenia success: Dainippon bids for early approval

Pfizer's off patent deal with India's Strides Arcolab

Action Shares

AstraZeneca and Teva shake hands over Nexium

Cell phone surprise: Could mobile chit-chat reverse Alzheimer’s?

PTV News: Jan 6, 2010

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 6th, 2010:

In a special programme, PharmaVentures' Nigel Borshell talks about the trends in Mergers and Acquisitions as the industry enters a new decade. The programme covers:

Why biotechs are being bought earlier in their development stage

Why M&A deals with earnouts are on the increase

And take-over premiums: are public companies getting cheaper to buy?

PTV News: Jan 5, 2010

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 5th, 2010:

Targeting cancer: RNAi minnow in billion plus pact

Wrinkle power: Merz’s move into aesthetic medicine

Genzyme's "fill and finish" deal with Hospira

Action Shares

Venturing forth: Merck Serono's 40M Euro investment fund

The C factor: How a humble vitamin fights accelerated ageing

PTV News: Jan 4, 2010

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on January 4th, 2010:

Eyeing success: Novartis pays US$ 40Bn dollars for Alcon

AstraZeneca and Forest in half billion dollar deal to buy Novexcel

Pfizer's lung cancer drug fails phase III trials

Action Shares

Sweet charity: Cancer Research UK in drug development deal with Merck

Man’s best friend: How dogs could sniff out a cure for OCD

The Future

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Future

Paul Larsmon reviews a series of interviews with some of Pharma and Biotech’s biggest players, including Doug Giordano from Pfizer, Dan Zabrowski from Roche and Jean-Claude Muller from Sanofi-Aventis. In this programme we look forward to 2010 and beyond within the industry and see what predictions will be made for its future.

Round Table

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Round Table

Paul Larsmon introduces an interview chaired by Pharmaventures Fintan Walton with Andy Smith from Axa Framlington, Sam Fazeli from Piper Jaffray and Stephen Parker from Celtic Pharma. 2009, the industry and the future for the sector are discussed in this in-depth ‘round table’ interview.

Action Shares

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Action Shares

Paul Larsmon introduces a review of the biggest movements on the 2009 stock market. Presented by Nemi Douglas from the PharmaTelevision News team.

New Ways

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New Ways

Paul Larsmon presents a series of interviews with some of Pharma and Biotech’s biggest hitters, including Mervyn Turner from Merck & Co, Clive Dix of BIA and Vaughn Kalian from MPM Capital. In this programme we reflect on the industry and see how the sector is reacting to the current climate with new ways of conducting business.

And Finally...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

And Finally...

Paul Larsmon presents a collection of this year's favourite “and finally” stories.

PTV News: Dec 23, 2009

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 23rd, 2009:

Novartis buys Cothera and experimental heart drug Relaxin

Biovitrum sells obesity program to AstraZeneca

Potency problems force AstraZeneca to recall 4.7M Flumist doses

Action Shares

Arena files for FDA approval of obesity drug Lorcaserin

Scientists discover cholesterol lowering properties of Myrrh

PTV News: Dec 22, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 22nd, 2009:

Sanofi snaps up Chattem in US$ 1.9Bn deal

Eli Lilly takes US$ 90M gamble on Incyte arthritis treatment

Seattle Genetics scoops US$ 402M Glaxo ADC deal

Action Shares

EMEA orphan status for Cell Therapeutics Pixantrone

Superbug superfruit: Is pomegranate the new weapon against MRSA?

PTV News: Dec 21, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 21st, 2009:

Amgen’s Denosumab poised for EU approval

Celgene's Revlimid meets Multiple Myeloma trial goal

Astellas forges US$ 390M oncology pact with Ambit Biosciences

Action Shares

Eisai inks US$ 255M deal to buy AkaRx

Toxic cocktail: Why bourbon contains a hangover punch

PTV News: Dec 18, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 18th, 2009:

Return to sender: unused swine flu vaccine going back to manufacturers

Merck ventures deeper into Biotech

Aveo floats to support kidney drug trials

Action Shares

Moving on: Biogen and Facet call it quits

And Vegas Mixx: the viagra-valium combo that’s upset the authorities

PTV News: Dec 17, 2009

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 17th, 2009:

Mapping cancer: The genetic mutations that turn healthy cells into tumours

OSI "could lose US $400M sales" after Tarceva's turned down

Celgene's psoriasis success

Action Shares

The poor man of Europe – why the UK spends least on medicines

Bad Santa – promoting obesity and drink-driving

PTV News: Dec 16, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 16th, 2009:

Holy grail or poisoned chalice: The latest Alzheimer’s setback

Flu vaccine recall: Sanofi pulls 800-thousand toddler doses

Amgen and Array in diabetes deal

Action Shares

Takeda's salesforce coup in China

Bubbly bonus: Why champagne is good for the heart

PTV News: Dec 15, 2009

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 15th, 2009:

Seattle's Takeda deal counters Roche pain

Injectable Zyprexa gives Lilly new patent protection

Australia's ChemGenex in licensing deal with Hospira

Action Shares

"Disheartening" data knocks hopes of AIDS infection gel

Allergan goes on the offensive over Bo-Tax

PTV News: Dec 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 14th, 2009:

Astra loses first battle in Crestor patent war

Elan's NanoCrystal gets approval in Japan

Cubist expands anti-superbug portfolio

Action Shares

Roche trumpets"unparalleled drug development"

Cold facts: How a call from the weatherman could save lives

PTV News: Dec 11, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 11th, 2009:

Green light for Gilead’s cystic fibrosis inhaler

Blockbuster hopes for rheumatoid arthritis drug

GSK: "We'll win emerging markets race"

End of the road – Facet says no to Biogen’s "final" offer

Action Shares

Sickle Cell anaemia breakthrough

Mud glorious mud - why dirty babies make healthier adults

PTV News: Dec 10, 2009

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 10th, 2009:

Raided: European watchdog descends on big pharma

Glaxo’s hopes for clogged artery blockbuster

Regeneron bucks dismal pharma job scene

Sanofi's antibody deal with Alopexx

Action Shares

Investment director says IPOs "set to return"

Christmas cheers: Why beer cuts the risk of prostate cancer

PTV News: Dec 9, 2009

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 9th, 2009:

Pfizer's plans to copy rivals' biologics

Son of Gleevec: Novartis says Tasigna is a better drug

Roche dumps Actelion to concentrate on Genentech

Action Shares

The computer programme matching molecules to target flu

The pharma boss who says banning Barron is "dopey"

PTV News: Dec 8, 2009

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 8th, 2009:

No more needles: Clinical trials start on diabetes pill

Celgene expands cancer drug portfolio

Information overload: "Patients ignore drug warnings"

Somaxon's Silenor turned down again: Shares slump

Action Shares

The genetic link between adult diabetes and childhood obesity

The gene research facility that "looks like a chromosome"

PTV News: Dec 7, 2009

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 7th, 2009:

Treanda triumph: Data gives Cephalon blockbuster hopes

Novartis celebrates Incyte's myelofibrosis trials

TB challenge: Appeal for better tests and new drugs

Depression-beater: AZ's Seroquel gets new add-on status

Action shares

South Africa's biotech revolution
- watch the full-length Antonio Llobell interview here

The kangaroo cure for skin cancer

PTV News: Dec 4, 2009

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 4th, 2009:

"Take it or leave it" - Biogen's final offer to Facet

Why Novartis should buy out Alcon’s minority shareholders

Vertex sells shares to fund drug development

Action Shares

Sanofi enters Alzheimer's market

Eli Lilly rules out mega-mergers

The rejection gene which means love really can hurt

PTV News: Dec 3, 2009

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 3rd, 2009:

AZ in billion dollar deal for Targacept's antidepressant

Roche's diabetes drug "better than Merck's Januvia"

Dyax shares skyrocket on FDA approval of Kalbitor

Action Shares

Stemcell boost from US government: "markets over-react"

Takeda goes shopping in India

Pfizer boss tells corporate America to clean up its act

PTV News: Dec 2, 2009

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 2nd, 2009:

Pfizer's direction-changing Protalix deal

Better-healing bone breakthrough

Trellis licenses MedImmune for antibodies

Action Shares

Big pharma "faces bigger tax bills"

Switzerland fines big pharma for pricing dysfunction

Curing alcohol abuse - with cannabis

PTV News: Dec 1, 2009

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on December 1st, 2009:

Sales of Celgene's Revlimid "set to triple" on new trial data

Pfizer plans generic assault on Japan

Mystery over FDA setback for Merck's cladribine

Action Shares

Abbott and Teva strike patent deal over TriCor

Hopes of mental illness breakthrough as "madness gene" identified

Harvesting milk teeth for stem cells - at a price

PTV News: Nov 30, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 30th, 2009:

Bayer's "reliable Alzheimer's test" starts phase III trials

GSK to slash developing world drug bill

Takeda goes hunting in South America

Sanofi's AT "blockbuster" gets European approval

Action Shares

Stiff challenge as UK takes on US life science clusters

Appendix app: How smart phones could save lives

PTV News: Nov 27, 2009

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 27th, 2009:

Too little too late: Traditional vaccine methods trail pandemics

Osteoporosis hopes as late stage trials show positive results

Roche boss says company will outpace the market

Diabetes set to double over 25 years

Action Shares

More big-pharma collaborations forecast by Pfizer head

"Himalayan Viagra" seized en route to China

PTV News: Nov 26, 2009

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 26th, 2009:

Unfortunately there is no PharmaTelevision News today as we are relocating our studio. PharmaTelevision News returns tomorrow to bring you the all the latest news on the business of healthcare.

PTV News: Nov 25, 2009

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 25th, 2009:

Incyte's "billion dollar deal" with Novartis

China's US$ 50M Nasdaq IPO

Pfizer looks east for R&D expansion

Niaspan profits as trial data hits Merck's Zetia

Action Shares

Widely prescribed drugs "increase falling risk" for elderly

The shock therapy which could challenge Viagra

PTV News: Nov 24, 2009

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 24th, 2009:

Cephalon's Cinquil set-back

Biogen CEO attacked over share sales and pay

Merck Serono plans global R&D centre in China

Norway's Clavis in US$ 380M development deal

Action Shares

Teva "jumps gun" with Novartis generic

"Take your tablets!" - the nagging pill bottles

PTV News: Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 23th, 2009:

Roche's Actemra: Positive trials for children's pain

Traumatic brain injury: Car crash victims recruited

FDA set-back for caterpillar flu vaccine

Green shoot hopes as two companies launch IPOs

Action Shares

Australian biotech leads asia-pacific recovery

Rat cunning: The altered gene that boosts intelligence

PTV News: Nov 20, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 20th, 2009:

Illegal online drug sales: Arrests and seizures

Pfizer plans generic assault on Japan

Curing blindness, creating skin: The march of stem cell technology

Action Shares

Revived blockbuster hopes for Xsarelto

Australian biotech chases cancer cure-all

European pharma "buys murder victims' fat"

PTV News: Nov 19, 2009

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 19th, 2009:

Why bird flu didn't develop into a pandemic

Plavix efficacy "halved" by PPIs

Jinxed Genzyme abandons experimental CKD drug

Action Shares

Qiagen goes shopping with US$ 1B to spend

Cabbage molecule could cut acetaminophen toxicity

The gene that protects cannibals from brain disease

PTV News: Nov 18, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 18th, 2009:

Safety concerns and delays undermine positive Isis trials

NICE rejects BMS and Novartis leukaemia drug

NicOx raises US$ 150M to push osteoarthritis drug

Action Shares

Jobs: BMS hiring - UCB firing

Patients' own stem cells help ease angina pain

The "cancer ingredient" in hundreds of household products

PTV News: Nov 17, 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 17th, 2009:

Glaxo's US$ 500M anti-smoking vaccine deal

FDA delays approval of Genzyme's Pompe drug

Share crash: Poniard pays the price of Phase III failure

Action Shares

Frozen out: Iceland's DeCODE files for Chapter 11

Greener and cheaper: GSK's plans to cut waste in drug production

Light and algae: the developing science of optogenetics

PTV News: Nov 16, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 16th, 2009:

Merck's Zetia "less effective, more dangerous" than rival

BMS spins off Mead Johnson

Boehringer set to unveil female sex dysfunction drug

Action Shares

Talecris bucks trend and starts hiring

Sibling genes work together to kill cancer

Dark chocolate: the latest cure-all claims

PTV News: Nov 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 13th, 2009:

Pharma and finance go head to head in Ratiopharm sale

How climate change is boosting skin cancer treatments

Astex's "half billion dollar" deal with GSK

Action Shares

Pfizer fights back against Neurontin critics

Online drug promotions: FDA set to act

DNA dating - finding love genetically

PTV News: Nov 12, 2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 12th, 2009:

Blockbuster anaemia drugs in new safety fears

Novartis chief attacks Indian IP protection

Healthcare job cuts in Denmark and Ireland

Relenza company reaches out to extend pipeline

Action Shares

Novartis launches US $200M ad campaign for Prevacid

The cost of clean hands rocks Toronto City Hall

PTV News: Nov 11, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 11th, 2009:

BMS's billion dollar rheumatoid arthritis deal

Sanofi expands antibody deal with Regeneron

Astellas signs asian licensing deal with Ironwood

Action Shares

1930's STD drug shows late promise for cancer

Adventure capital: Excalibur's plans for the future

CEOs "the most persuasive" at product endorsement

PTV News: Nov 10, 2009

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 10th, 2009:

R&D rationalisation: Pfizer closes sites and slashes jobs

Enzon sells off speciality pharma business

Indian generics circle Lipitor

Action shares

Ranbaxy's issues with FDA will take "a long time" to resolve

Merck Serono Ventures seeks early stage biotechs for investment

The genetic factors which can give you a pot belly

PTV News: Nov 9, 2009

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 9th, 2009:

Lilly aims to "regain trust" of the public

Walking into Sweden: Boots' bid for Apoteket chain

Rare skin cancer drug gets FDA approval

Potential treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Mapping the human genome on the cheap

Pfizer's rat ad investigated after viewers' complaints

PTV News: Nov 6, 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 6th, 2009:

Biovitrum merges with Swedish Orphan

Vectibix fails secondary endpoint in clinical trial

Prevnar pulled: infant deaths force Pfizer vaccine withdrawal

Small Cap success: Bailard investments at Ausbiotech

WHO: swine flu not becoming drug resistant

UOT study: green tea prevents oral cancer

PTV News: Nov 5, 2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 5th, 2009:

Merck complete Schering-Plough merger

Novartis buys Chinese vaccine maker

BioPad’s Joe Mosala Molete on South African biotech

Pfizer on partnering: Doug Giordano at BioEurope 2009

New trial for Merck KGaA Stimuvax

Golf: is snoring bad for your handicap?

PTV News: Nov 4, 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 4th, 2009:

J&J slash 7% of their workforce

'VIIV': Glaxo and Pfizer launch HIV joint venture

Australian IP case leaves universities on back foot

Eli Lilly's vision for the future: Gino Santini at BIO-Europe 2009

Big pharma faces flu vaccine price fixing investigation

Pensions boost for pharma execs

PTV News: Nov 3, 2009

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 3rd, 2009:

Novartis invests US$ 1B in China R&D plant

Anaemia drugs: Amgen's Aranesp doubles stroke risk

Teva Q3: Net Sales up 25%

Roches partnering vision: Dan Zabrowski at BioEurope 2009

FDA approval for standalone Byetta: stronger labels required

Sleepy teens: lie-ins prevent adolescent obesity

PTV News: Nov 2, 2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on November 2nd, 2009:

Benlysta blockbuster? Glaxo Lupus drug passes phase 3s

Takeda sign up Amylin in US$ 1B obesity pact

Risk share deal for Eisai and Quintiles

Rambaxy sells off Vietnam business

Amicus and Shire end ‘lysomal storage disorder’ pact

Fizzy diet drinks – risk of kidney decline

PTV News: Oct 30, 2009

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 30th, 2009:

Biotech IPO - can Aldagen float despite losses?

Richter/Forest antipsychotic posts good results

Statins: new evidence they can help you survive flu

Transcept to pay dearly for FDA thumbs down of Intermezzo

Australia set to lift ban on animal-human transplants

Guitar hero seeks pain relief in stem cells

PTV News: Oct 29, 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 29th, 2009:

Emerging markets and swine flu ramp GSK profits

Sanofi's cancer deal with Micromet

Vertex Hep C drug boasts impressive trial results

Tysabri test for PML risk

Training med students: the latest inventions from Ausbiotech 2009

Revealed: a genetic link to bad driving

PTV News: Oct 28, 2009

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 28th, 2009:

Astellas' investment in promising prostate cancer candidate

AusBiotech 2009: a sector bouncing back

"Green shoots" as companies start hiring again

Swine flu vaccine shortage: a boost for BioCryst?

Chronic kidney disease - could Shire catch Genzyme?

Pharma-espionage: claims that someone's spying on government drug secrets

PTV News: Oct 27, 2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 27th, 2009:

Glaxo's US$ 2B gamble pays off as Arzerra gets FDA approval

Approval for anti-anthrax drug stalled

Shire's Vyvance exclusivity confirmed

HPV vaccine survey makes interesting reading for pharmacos

Big pharma borrows from car makers to drive efficiency

Therapeutic Poppy farmers hit by global warming

PTV News: Oct 26, 2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 26th, 2009:

Lobbying to save The Medicines Company US$1B

Novo Nordisk's surprise obesity drug

Alcon eyes Potentia in macular degeneration deal

Pfizer's hunt for Indian partners

Vaccine market "worth US$17B"

Stem cell pioneer sentenced for fraud

PTV News: Oct 23, 2009

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 23rd, 2009:

Healthymagination - the US$ 250M healthcare fund from General Electric

Russia's growing pharmaceuticals market

Lost in transmission - is drug labelling misleading?

Novartis faces US$100M sex discrimination case

Gene transfer therapy for Parkinson's

A spoonful of polyethylene: the gel that could give Julie Andrews her voice back

PTV News: Oct 22, 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 22nd, 2009:

Novartis bullish with or without vaccine windfall

Mixed results from diabetes trials

Self-service Herceptin to save money, time and stress

The Middle East's emerging market

GeekBook: social networking for scientists

PTV News: Oct 21, 2009

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 21th, 2009:

Price war as GSK and Merck go head to head with cancer vaccines

Roche sues Credit Suisse over "risky bonds"

Unigene spawns Tarsa to take forward phase III oral Calcitonin

Tysabri questions: Biogen admits it can be more dangerous over time

Merck joins the transparency trail over doc-disclosure

Internet use boosts elderly brains, high protein diet shrinks them

PTV News: Oct 20, 2009

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 20th, 2009:

Roche products re-branded Genentech in US

Lonza drops US$ 460m bid for Patheon

Boehringer's Micardis gets CVD sales boost

AstraZeneca staff to "self-identify" themselves for redundancy

Rare metals to take on cancer

A placebo that hurts for double blind trials

PTV News: Oct 19, 2009

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 19th, 2009:

Gardasil and Cervarix - the battle of the cancer vaccines

A new indication for AstraZeneca's Crestor

Amgen's denosumab faces FDA approval delay

Spare parts for diseased hearts

"Zombie biotechs" come back from the dead

PTV News: Oct 16, 2009

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 16th, 2009:

Closure: the Pfizer-Wyeth effect on jobs and drug discovery

Baxter: strong earnings, flat sales

Going cheap - the big pharmamanufacturing sell-off

Survival of the fittest - the new biotech landscape

World Health Summit "more than just a talking shop"

Alcohol: does a bit of what you fancy do you good?

PTV News: Oct 15, 2009

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 15th, 2009:

Tamiflu fuels Roche Q3 success story

Steps forward in MS as Acorda drug pleases FDA advisors

Progenics regains Relistor rights from Wyeth

Phytopharm soars on monkey data

Biosimilar insulin "could steal $US 6B" from brands

The painkiller made from a painful killer

PTV News: Oct 14, 2009

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 14th, 2009:

GSK'S move into orphan drugs

Merck's Indian bioscience buyout

J&J results underwhelm the market

Gout chemical "slows Parkinson's progression"

GSK nurtures talent on doorstep

The "billion dollar market" for CareBots

PTV News: Oct 13, 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 13th, 2009:

Onyx aims for the top in Oncology

Lupin's generic birth pills spark patent suits

Novartis in transatlantic deals spree

NICE work - the UK's healthcare watchdog goes international

Imagine - how guided imagery can ease a child's pain

PTV News: Oct 12, 2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 12th, 2009:

In the genes: why Tamoxifen doesn't always work

Health concerns disrupt Pfizer's lung cancer trials

Cholera vaccine "cheap, safe and effective"

Liver failure antidote good all-rounder

Innovations in cancer: the word from the top

Bug splatter: helping biologists manage research

PTV News: Oct 9, 2009

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 9th, 2009:

Novartis hopes for MRSA blockbuster

Omeros joins IPO stream

GSK and Roche in patent battle

Glaxo eyes stake in Dr Reddy's

Australia's biotec surge

More gyms, less sugar - big pharma's recipe for healthcare reform

PTV News: Oct 8, 2009

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 8th, 2009:

Blockbuster hopes for Pfizer's HIV drug

"Faithless servant" billed for US$7M

New MS uses for Copaxone

FDA's safety list revealed

New treatment claims for autism

Liquorice warnings for pregnant women

PTV News: Oct 7, 2009

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 7th, 2009:

Big pharma raided over generics allegations

GSK's swine flu bonanza

SurModics' US$ 200M deal with Roche

Diabetics boom on the way

Pharma's doubts about drug addiction vaccines

Gene manipulation on the cheap

PTV News: Oct 6, 2009

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 6th, 2009:

Sanofi launch generic of their own drug Plavix

Trimeris sold to Arigene for $81M

Sandoz CEO: 10 new drugs a year in Japan

CBR Pharma Insights on ‘lifecycle management’

Glaxo’s Votrient gets FDA advisory thumbs up

Nobel prize for telomerase trio

PTV News: Oct 5, 2009

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 5th, 2009:

BMS Dapagliflozen aces phase III

Potential RVO indication for Lucentis

Novel intracellular drug delivery system

Healthcare’s ‘perfect storm’ part 2

Nasal spray to improve memory

PTV News: Oct 2, 2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 2nd, 2009:

Actavis generic challenge to Pfizer's Lipitor

Talecris IPO exceeds expectations

QLT sells US business to Tolmar

New treatments for ulcerative colitis

Healthcare's "perfect storm"

Allergan pleads the First Amendment

PTV News: Oct 1, 2009

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on October 1st, 2009:

Sanofi still on the prowl for acquisitions

FDA enforcers go after pharma bosses

FDA delays Cervarix decision

IPO revival goes east with Glenmark

Vertex's dash for cash

Why female fruit flies skip their siesta

PTV News: Sep 30, 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 30th, 2009:

Boston pays up to settle J&J stent suits

Silence's secret suitor for reverse takeover

FDA delays Cervarix decision

Valeant cuts financial burden to move forward

High hopes for testosterone lotion

MRI scans plot fear in filmgoers' brains

PTV News: Sep 29, 2009

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 29th, 2009:

Sacked - Sequenom's top management team goes after trials mishandled

GSK's innovative US$2.2B vaccine deal with Brazil

Atacicept fails again

Avastin's heart failure set-back

Child's death follows Cervarix vaccination

How beating the pine beetle helps cancer research

PTV News: Sep 28, 2009

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 28th, 2009:

Abbott buys Solvay's pharma unit

J&J enter flu vaccine fray with stake in Crucell

Novo Nordisk to expand workforce in India

Januvia and Janumet get EMA thumbs up

The green business of biotechnology

ADHD drugs "cut violent crime"

PTV News: Sep 25, 2009

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 25th, 2009:

Shock failure of Chelsea's hypotension drug

Pfizer and Eisai make it up

Strategic Alliances Conference - the latest on deals and deal-making

FDA confirms knee device approval was flawed

Management teams "poorly valued" by investors

Genetic cure for burping sheep

PTV News: Sep 24, 2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 24th, 2009:

Billion dollar buy-back: Leo deal with Warner Chilcott

Bidding war - now Abbott makes an offer for Solvay's drugs unit

Controversy over Erbitux survival rates

Genzyme contamination: plant re-opens but drugs delayed

What happens when the market gets it wrong

Medical maggots: ancient treatment makes a comeback

PTV News: Sep 23, 2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 23rd, 2009:

Tysabri troubles: two more brain infection cases bring market warning

Personalised medicine goals drive Qiagen purchase of DxS

Glaxo boosts CME transparency

Learning to walk again; big steps in spinal cord injury research

"Greenwash" - does big pharma do enough for the environment?

PTV News: Sep 22, 2009

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 22nd, 2009:

Amgen's denosumab gains on Novartis's Zometa

Aspirin indicated for cancer prevention

AstraZeneca and Nektar in 'deal worth US$1.5B'

Pills with microchips aid prescription compliance>

Gene therapy on the way for dieters

PTV News: Sep 21, 2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 21st, 2009:

Nycomed's US$6B bid for Solvay's drugs unit

Prostate cancer gene breakthrough

Researcher 'killed by plague bacteria'

India pharma on hiring spree

Doing deals a different way

How magnetism can deliver drugs more effectively

PTV News: Sep 18, 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 18th, 2009:

Dr Reddy's shares surge on Glaxo stake rumours

FDA label approval "doesn't protect pharma from lawsuits"

Rituxan to be filed for follicular lymphoma

Arena obesity drug swells share price

Fears that slow Healthcare reform will stall recovery

Revealed - the gene that means you need less sleep

PTV News: Sep 17, 2009

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 17th, 2009:

Four swine flu vaccines approved in one day

Is the latest IPO a return to the casino?

Axygen and Corning join forces

Gout sufferers and Savient get Kristexxa boost

The tipping point that could spell disaster for big pharma

Gene therapy cure for colour blindness

PTV News: Sep 16, 2009

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 16th, 2009:

Novartis hopes for COPD blockbuster

Bayer's new boss announced

Bristol Myers sells Asian assets to Taisho

Europe pumps millions more into drug discovery
New advances in treatment of AIDS/HIV

Boehringer trousers US$100,000 thank you cheque

PTV News: Sep 15, 2009

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 15th, 2009:

Eli Lilly aims to save $US1B by cutting 5,500 jobs

Big pharma flunks AIDS/HIV report cards

Alcon eyes ESBATech for US$589M

Patrick Swayze dies from pancreatic cancer as new drug fails

Theravance gets MRSA approval after 12 years

Mellow melons fight stress

PTV News: Sep 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 14th, 2009:

Price-cutting: why J&J wants to pay less for Elan

The year's biggest IPO: Talecris plans to raise more than US$800m

The good and the bad for Merck Serono

Medgenics groundbreaking biopump technology

And snorting stem cells: how the nose could be the door to the brain

PTV News: Sep 11, 2009

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 11th, 2009:

New claims that Tysabri causes fatal brain disease

Gaucher windfall for Shire

PPI cancer fears allayed

Abbott buys cardiac device company

Sequencing a genome for US$5000

LEDs and tea - a cure for wrinkles?

PTV News: Sep 10, 2009

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 10th, 2009:

Potential blockbuster obesity drug for Vivus

Billion dollar Botox bonus

Bouncing back - how a small biotech survived the crash

Pharma reaction to Obama healthcare speech

Gardasil and Cervarix go head to head

Bleaching Jacko: the King of Pop's favourite skin whitener

PTV News: Sep 9, 2009

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 9th, 2009:

NICE rejects Bayer's liver cancer drug

European approval for Merck's diabetes innovation

Biogen and Facet fall out over takeover

The highs and lows of NASDAQ biotechs

Cell buys Alpha Innotech

Viva Viagra - but Pfizer doesn't get the joke

PTV News: Sep 8, 2009

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 8th, 2009:

The new man at the helm of Roche's drugs division

Hopes raised for an HIV vaccine

Bayer's deal with Noway's Algeta

Obama's make or break speech on healthcare reform

Fat bellies and small moles speed stem cell research

PTV News: Sep 7, 2009

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 7th, 2009:

Sinopharm's one billion dollar flotation

Unlicensed Relenza saves woman's life

New Alzheimer's genes identified

Biogen offers less for Facet

New drug "cuts protracted labour"

PTV News: Sep 4, 2009

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 4th, 2009:

The weed that sealed a US$287m deal

Shire gets FDA approval for ADHD drug

Elan loses Biogen court case

MabThera goes from strength to strength

How pharma deals are evolving

Why fat thighs may protect you from an early death

PTV News: Sep 3, 2009

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 3rd, 2009:

Japan goes west as Dainippon Sumitomo buys Sepracor

PTC's GEMS dazzle Roche

India rejects patent protection for Gilead’s HIV drug

Double vision as Abbot buys Visiogen

GSK takes on the FDA

Four-legged duck helps research into genetic mutation

PTV News: Sep 2, 2009

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 2nd, 2009:

Pfizer set to pay US$2.3 B to settle charges of illegal drugs promotion

Biovail Parkinson's psychosis drug fails

FDA says E-cigarettes not safe afterall

PTV News: Sep 1, 2009

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on September 1st, 2009:

Merck re-structuring...

Brilinta the blockbuster drug for AstraZeneca?

Lonza sells plant in Singapore to Genentech

Boehringer’s Pradaxa beats Warfarin

Glaxo makes up for shortages of hib vaccine with Hiberix

PTV News: Aug 31, 2009

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Africa Healthcare Special

UNICEF provides community based therapeutic feeding and monitoring centres to improve childrens' health.

How genetically modified crops could provide a solution to poverty.

To watch the full interview with Dr Florence Wambugu (CEO of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation), click here.

PTV News: Aug 28, 2009

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 28th, 2009:

Abbott and Pfizer join forces to combat lung cancer

How a major charity is helping big pharma with clinical trials

And getting nasty - Pfizer's row with Venezuela escalates

PTV News: Aug 27, 2009

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 27th, 2009:

Did Nymox jump the gun with their liver cancer claims?

Colon cancer caused by a bug?

EU and US R&D battle

Japanese Korean prodigy - PhD aged 19

PTV News: Aug 26, 2009

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 26th, 2009:

NICE says no to cancer drugs funding

Roche says obesity drug is safe

GSK rumoured to be interested in HGS takeover bid worth $4 billion

Married people the most likely to survive cancer?

PTV News: Aug 25, 2009

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 25th, 2009:

FDA Approves Lunbeck's drug for infantile spasms

RNA specialist Santaris forms an alliance with Shire

Asthma drug Xolair given EU approval

Valeant's drug for shingles fails

A small Veterinary pharmacy attempts to derail Pfizer-Wyeth Deal

PTV News: Aug 24, 2009

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 24th, 2009:

The $3 billion price tag for Proctor and Gamble’s prescription drug business

How much is Patheon worth? Lonza bids 460 million Dollar.

Combining cell therapy and gene therapy to provide a new type of personalised medicine

PTV News: Aug 21, 2009

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 20th, 2009:

Will AstraZeneca hit the jackpot with MedImmune’s Flumist?

Big pharma wins indian patent decision

Pfizer looks at Facebook model to boost clinical trial

FDA approves GlaxoSmithKline’s Hiberix

New studies on cancer drugs shows personalised medicine is the way forward

PTV News: Aug 20, 2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 20th, 2009:

Glenmark’s new drug fails test

Merck makes deal with Covance

Big Pharma to pay NIH?

Deal trends in oncology

FDA approves Extavia (Novartis)

PTV News: Aug 19, 2009

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 19th, 2009:

GSK and Genmab hit by disappointing cancer drug trials

Roche’s AVASTIN goes from strength to strength

How British Biotechs hope to benefit from a government innovation fund

The quest for eternal youth and huge profits: tests begin on anti-ageing drugs.

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PTV News: Aug 18, 2009

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 18th, 2009:

NICE drives a hard bargain before giving J&J’s psoriasis treatment the go-ahead

India’s pharma-outsourcing industry is set to double by the end of next year…so what other opportunites are there in the sub-continent.

Sanofi sees of a generics challenge to ELOXATIN.

And the gene which determines if modern medicines can cure your Hepatitis C

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PTV News: Aug 17, 2009

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Top stories on August 17th, 2009:

Optimism breaks out among biotech investors. But is it based on reality or wishful thinking?

Shortening the odds of cancer – why tall men are more at risk.

And yet another good reason to eat chocolate: new research shows it can help you survive a heart attack

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PTV News Promo

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

On Monday, 17th August, PharmaTelevision launches PTV News, a dynamic daily programme covering the business of healthcare.

Incorporating news stories from around the world, expert analysis and informed comment, PTV News provides in-depth insight on breaking stories to help you stay ahead of the fast moving developments and trends in our exciting business sector.

PTV News is available to subscribers of PharmaTelevision Premium Content.