WHO expects flu vaccine production to double by 2015
World Health Organisation says that 11 developing country manufacturers will join fight to prevent influenza
Sectors - Health & Medical
Pfizer announces closure of leading UK research hub Sandwich
Pfizer has announced the closure of its leading UK research centre, Sandwich, which has been responsible for the discovery of many successful products.
These include impotence pill Viagra, heart drug Norvasc and HIV/AIDS medicine Celsentri.
British scientists create miracle pill to mend broken hearts
The British Heart Foundation has launched a 50 million pound ($80 million) research project into the potential of stem cells to regenerate heart tissue and "mend broken hearts".
The pill, which could be available in as little as seven years, tricks the heart into healing itself and make the recovery from a heart attack as simple as mending a broken leg.
Multiple Sclerosis pill is given approval by EU
European regulators are close to licensing a breakthrough pill, which could help Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. If they succeed, it will be the first daily MS pill on the market to be available in the EU.
MS is the most common disabling neurological condition. Every week 50 young people are diagnosed with the disease. It affects almost 100,000 Britons.
Scientists create device to target fear of the dental drill
Studies have shown that for many people it is the sound of the drill that causes the most anxiety about visiting the dentist.
This could soon be a thing of the past with a new innovative device which cancels out the noise of the dental drill.
SEEK develops chocolate cough remedy
Scientists are carrying out the final stages of clinical trials of a drug that contains theobromine, an ingredient found in chocolate and cocoa.
The drug, called BC1036, is being developed by the private UK company SEEK.
GSK signs agreement with Impax for Parkinson's drug
The UK's largest drug maker, GlaxoSmithKline, has signed an agreement with Impax Pharmaceuticals for development and commercialisation rights to Impax's Parkinson's combination drug IPX066.
Impax says IPX066 has the potential to control Parkinson’s symptoms, such as the reduction in “off time” throughout the day.
American scientists develop jet lag pill
Scientists are developing a jet leg pill that could relieve millions of long-haul passengers from sleepless nights and mid-afternoon drowsiness.
The pill is made from a natural chemical, dubbed ‘longdaysin’, which has been proven to dramatically slow down the body’s biological clock, allowing it to catch up with the local time.
Stinky Smell Prompts Tylenol Recall
Smell something funny? If you’ve got a bottle of the Tylenol 8 Hour Caplet 50 at home, that moldy odor might be coming from the pills.
AstraZeneca strike dates set
Three strikes of two hours over pensions changes will be staged on 8 September, followed by three further four hour walkouts on 15 September, the GMB union announced.
A week later, members will strike for 24 hours from 0600 BST on 22 September.
AstraZeneca said it was “disappointed” at the news.
AstraZeneca Workers to Strike after Pensions Row
GMB said that dates for industrial action were not yet confirmed but will be set later this week unless the pharmaceuticals giant reopens negotiations over planned changes to its pension scheme.
AstraZeneca Strike Ballot
Over 600 GMB members employed by AstraZeneca, the giant multi-national drugs company, at its manufacturing site at Macclesfield in Cheshire, are holding a strike ballot over changes to their pension scheme.
Facilities Management: New Partner for Bristol-Myers Squibb
In an effort to improve operational efficiencies and standardize delivery models, Bristol-Myers Squibb has selected Johnson Controls as its outsourcing partner to manage multiple facilities throughout North America.
Pfizer Strengthens Manufacturing Capabilities in Asia
The $100 million investment, will help it continue to “set the standard” for the manufacture of high-quality, safe and environmentally sustainable nutritional products for infants and children, Pfizer said in a statement.
GSK Funds Sustainable Manufacturing in Singapore
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the government agency responsible for economic growth and development, have jointly awarded funding for eight research projects based in Singapore aimed at growing local capabilities and talent in green and sustainable manufacturing, GSK has announced.
Pfizer planning to cut 6,000 manufacturing jobs
Pfizer will close eight plants in the U.S., Ireland and Puerto Rico by 2015 as part of measures designed to “reconfigure” its global plant network.
The world’s biggest drugmaker is “reconfiguring”, or restructuring, manufacturing following its acquisition of smaller rival Wyeth last year.
GSK gets stake in South Korea's leading drugmaker
The deal is worth 73.9 million pounds and is proof that, as sales stall in Western markets, emerging markets are the new battleground for the world’s top drugmakers.
Dong-A Pharmaceuticals is the leading pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medicines company in South Korea, a market expected to grow around 10 percent a year through 2012.
Merck: Schering-Plough merger hits results
Merck, the world’s third largest drugmaker, earned $298.8 million, or 9 cents a share, after earning $1.43 billion, or 67 cents a share, in the prior year period.
Revenue at the firm more than doubled to $11.42 billion from $5.39 billion.
Merger: American firm buys Chinese pharma company
Boston-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Charles River Laboratories, announced plans to buy leading Chinese pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device firm WuXi PharmaTech in one of the largest M&
SMC Ltd.: Plans to expand unveiled
Contract manufacturer SMC Ltd. has expanded its silicone injection molding facility, bringing the dedicated manufacturing space to more than 7,000 sq ft.
The addition of presses, work cells, and automation will allow the company to increase its capabilities in the medical device silicone molding sector.
VIA Pharmaceuticals: Restructuring details announced
VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, has today announced a strategic restructuring and financing aimed at focusing the company’s resources on research and development related to its pipeline of drug candidates.
Novartis: Alcon is a great acquisition
Novartis International, the Swiss pharmaceuticals group, has launched one of Europe's biggest ever takeovers, with a $40 billion offer for Alcon, a leading maker of eye care products.
Novartis bought 25 percent of Alcon in April 2008 and has exercised its option to buy another 52 percent of the firm.
Revenues rise at pharmaceuticals company BTG
BTG, the specialty pharmaceuticals company, has announced its interim results for the six months ended September 30, 2009.
Pre-tax profits dipped 29 percent to 2.4 million pounds on revenues that rose 59 percent to 47.9 million pounds in the six months to September 30.
Drugmakers post solid results
By Lewis Krauskopf
Results from the world's top two drugmakers -- Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline -- and Eli Lilly follow the upbeat report earlier this week from another industry titan, Merck .
J&J profit falls but beats forecasts
By Ransdell Pierson and Lewis Krauskopf
Revenue took a hit from patent expirations on its drugs for schizophrenia and epilepsy, but sales of its blockbuster arthritis drug Remicade were better than expected. Analysts also cited the ability of the giant diversified healthcare company, shares of which rose slightly, to contain costs.
Eisai opens new £100m UK facility
The new 100 million pound facility, labelled the "European Knowledge Centre" by Eisai, will be the firm's new European strategic base and is made up of a manufacturing plant, research laborator
Oils, drugmakers nudge FTSE up
By Harpreet BhalBy 11:50 a.m. the FTSE 100 was up 21.27 points at 4,347.28 after two days of losses saw it touch a six-week closing low on Monday when it shed 2.6 percent.
Pfizer eyes deals to raise emerging markets presence
By John IrishPharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning their attention to developing nations as they face tougher conditions in more mature markets.
Braun closes Carlow plant
160 jobs will be lost, while 100 employees out of the current workforce of 260 will be transferred to its Newbridge plant in Co Kildare.
Tate & Lyle says outlook difficult to predict
By Matt Scuffham
AstraZeneca in U.S. talks over swine flu vaccine
The company, which has today reported a strong rise in first-quarter pretax profits, said it was talking to the U.S.
Pfizer profit beats forecast
The world's largest drugmaker earned $2.73 billion, or 40 cents per share.
GlaxoSmithKline close to acquiring Stiefel, say reports
The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, has said that the deal could be announced as early as today, April 20.
Sanofi-Aventis to buy BiPar Sciences
The deal is expected be finalised in the second quarter of this year, BiPar, a privately held U.S. company, said.
SSL International plc profits up 30%
The condom and sandal manufacturer said that demand for its products was continuing and it was experiencing an annual profit growth of 30 percent.
Dow Chemical sells Morton Salt to K+S
The deal values the former Rohm & Haas unit at $1.675 billion. It follows Dow Chemical's $16.5 billion buyout of Rohm & Haas, which closed on Wednesday.
Glaxo sells more of Quest stake
The world's second biggest drugmaker said on Friday it sold 5,749,157 shares between March 17 and 19, leaving it with 30,755,151 or around 16.5 percent of the company, with a market value of approxima
Dow Chemical says Rohm talks going well
Unless a settlement is reached, Dow and Rohm and Haas are set to face off on Monday in Delaware court over Dow's refusal to close its more than $15 billion takeover of Rohm and Haas.
Dow, Rohm settle dispute, merger to go through
The companies said Rohm & Haas shareholders will receive just less than $79 a share -- $78 per share, plus a ticking fee agreed upon in the original deal.
Dow Chemical shares drop to new 24-year-low
Alongside a broad-based pummeling of U.S. stocks, shares of Dow slid to $6.31 -- a price last seen in April 1985 -- before partly recovering to $6.70, down 5.1 percent.
IPIC to buy Nova Chemicals
Nova shares nearly quadrupled to C$6.49 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Its New York-listed stock surged $4.87 to $5.40.
Nova CEO says still able to work with lenders
"We remain confident in our ability to work with both existing and new lenders, and hope to be able to provide an update on our financing situation soon," Nova CEO Jeff Lipton said at an industry conf
Dow Chemical slashes dividend 64 percent
Dow said it will cut the dividend to 15 cents a share on April 30 from its previous level of 42 cents.
Rohm and Haas earnings tumble
Net income in the quarter was $32 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with a year-ago profit of $180 million, or 91 cents a share.
Procter & Gamble looks to exit pharmaceuticals: report
P&G said its pharmaceuticals unit accounts for global sales of more than $2 billion, the paper said.
Nova shares surge on financing speculation
Nova jumped 57 Canadian cents to C$1.95 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on a heavy volume of 21.7 million shares, nearly 23 times the three-month average.
Dow Chemical posts fourth-quarter loss
The largest U.S. chemicals maker's net loss was $1.55 billion, or $1.68 a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $472 million, or 49 cents a share.
Rohm and Haas shares fall on concern over Dow deal
By Euan Rocha and Michael Erman
Rohm and Haas plans to cut 900 jobs
The chemical maker, which is in the process of being acquired by Dow Chemical Co , said the moves build on the restructuring actions the company announced in June 2008.
