| GlaxoSmithKline Makes Aggressive Play for Emerging Markets ChinaBio Today submits: Because GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) wants to double its China and India revenues by 2015, the company will significantly reduce its prices – as much as 70% – to raise revenues. The company readily admits it is trailing its multinational rivals such as Pfizer (PFE) and Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) in developing markets.Abbas Hussain, President of Emerging Markets for Glaxo, said in an interview with Bloomberg News:Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Mass. Race Highlights Health Care Sensitivity over health-care costs in Massachusetts is at the forefront of a tight three-way race for governor, and may offer a glimpse of how the overhaul will play out in elections to come. online.wsj.com |
FDA Dislikes Novartis on Facebook: Biotech's Latest Mishaps The Burrill Report submits: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified Novartis (NVS) that information the drug maker has on Facebook about its cancer drug Tasigna is misleading because it makes claims of its efficacy, but fails to note any risks. The agency also said in a letter to the company that the content inadequately communicates Tasigna’s FDA-approved indication and implies superiority over other products. The FDA noted that Novartis failed to submit the marketing material as required under regulations. Tasigna is indicated for certain forms of chronic myelogenous leukemia in adult patients resistant or intolerant to prior therapy that includes imatinib. The FDA also approved Tasigna for second line treatment of chronic or accelerated phase Ph+ CML. The agency told the company to cease the dissemination of the problematic promotional materials and provide a written response. Cypress Bioscience (CYPB) said it was cutting 123 employees or 86 percent of its workforce as part of an effort to cut operating costs by about $10 million a year. The announcement came as part of broader steps being taken by the company that includes plans to discontinue or sell its personalized medicine services business by the end of the third quarter and discontinuing its rights under its agreement with Forest Laboratories to co-promote Savella, its drug for fibromyalgia. Forest has agreed to pay Cypress a one-time payment of $2.0 million to help facilitate with this transition. Cypress will retain all other rights under its agreement with Forest including its royalty on Savella sales and may pursue the opportunity to re-activate the co-promotion right through discussions with Forest in the future. Forest will maintain promotional levels behind Savella.Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Researchers Beaming at Light's Medical Uses Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are studying how to replace diabetics' daily finger-prick blood tests with a beam of light. online.wsj.com |
Kendall Law Group Investigates Clarient, Inc. Acquisition for Shareholders [Business Wire] - Kendall Law Group, led by former federal judge Joe Kendall, is investigating Clarient, Inc. for shareholders in connection with the proposed acquisition of the company by GE Healthcare. us.rd.yahoo.com |