EuroPharma Today

AstraZeneca Reports Higher Profits, But Cuts R&D Jobs

LONDON--Facing U.S. patent expiries on key drugs , AstraZeneca announced at its Jan. 28 results meeting a further restructuring of its R&D operations, with the expected net loss of 1,800 jobs, and annual cost savings of $1 billion by 2014.

Overall, the company expects restructuring in R&D and elsewhere in the company to affect more than 10,400 positions between 2010 and 2014 -8,000 more than in previous plans - and to produce annual savings of $1.8 billion.

Report Highlights Issues Facing EU Device Sector

A ¹ report on the future of the medical device industry in the European Union highlights the need for more standardized technology assessment systems among member states, and for more robust mechanisms to support innovation.

Posted on the European Commission Web site Jan. 28, the report is intended to concisely explain to the new European commissioners the broad range of challenges facing the device industry.

Novartis To Launch Nycomed's PPI Pantoloc Control In 14 European Countries

Novartis will launch the OTC proton pump inhibitor Pantoloc Control (pantoprazole 20 mg) in 14 European countries in the second quarter of 2010 under a co-marketing agreement with the product's originator Nycomed.

Is Teva Among Finalists In Bidding For Germany's Ratiopharm? (Part 2 of 2)

Rumors about Teva's next M&A step have been swirling around the company for the better part of a year, but so far management has been mum except for vague generalities ('The Pink Sheet,' DAILY, Jan. 12, 2010). ratiopharm, the second largest generics manufacturer in Germany. is up for sale, with a bidding deadline of Feb. 5. Finalists reportedly include Teva, Pfizer, and - less likely, according to reports - Sanofi-Aventis and EQT Partners, a private equity firm.

Teva's Growth Strategy In Europe: Bullish on Germany (Part 1 of 2)

Teva's reported bid for ratiopharm, one of Germany's premier generics companies, could hardly be a surprise for anyone following the Israeli company's recent rip-roaring endorsement of opportunities in that troubled market.

Teva believes its can grow its European revenues at a compound annual growth rate of 18.6 percent between 2009 and 2015 - well above the biopharma industry's average in that region of 4 percent (6 percent, when excluding Germany). Given the size of the gap, Teva will have to take market share--and the way it knows how to do that best is through M&A.

Alcon Shareholders Reject "Inadequate" Novartis Offer

When Novartis announced on Jan. 4 its intention to not only exercise its option to purchase Nestle's remaining 52 percent stake in eye-care group Alcon, but also to buy out the remaining, minority-held 23 percent, CEO and Chairman Daniel Vasella claimed this second step would "create clarity for all stakeholders".  So far, it has apparently done anything but.

EFPIA Starts Traceability Pilot Program to Combat Drug Counterfeiting

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (EFPIA) is piloting a harmonized coding system for detecting counterfeit drugs in the European Union.

Speaking on EFPIA's behalf, Andrew Bonser, director of European government affairs for Pfizer, described the pilot at an Oct. 13 meeting in Berlin sponsored by the Parenteral Drug Association and the European Medicines Agency. He also sought to dispel some "myths" of drug counterfeiting.

Finding Inspiration: Ipsen Builds Fourth Specialist Franchise With Hemophilia Deal

Ipsen is building out its hemophilia franchise by paying $85 million for a 20 percent stake in Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, along with an option to acquire up to 47 percent of the Laguna Niguel, Ca., company for an additional $174 million, which will be tied to development milestones.  The deal structure mirrors that which the mid-sized French group signed with Tercica in 2006, centered on building a global endocrinology business.

UK Early Access Scheme Likely This Year, But Funding Is An Issue

UK patients may benefit later this year from a new scheme granting early access to certain new medicines prior to formal approval. But one stumbling block is that the government will not provide funding for drugs used under the program.

WHO Flu Chief Defends H1N1 Response Against "False Pandemic" Claim

Geneva - The World Health Organization's flu chief, seeking to counter recent allegations that the organization hyped the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, stated firmly and repeatedly Jan. 14 that the pandemic is real and ongoing, that its threat was never overplayed by WHO, and that pharmaceutical companies did not exert inappropriate influence on the organization's decision to declare a pandemic.