Pharma News

ANI Pharma and IDT Australia collaborate on US generics

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/08/2015

US-based brand-name and generic drugmaker ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANI) announced on 12 August 2015 that it had entered into a collaboration with generics company IDT Australia (IDT) to commercialize up to 18 previously marketed US generics.

Mergers between Watson/Actavis and ANI Pharma/BioSante

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/10/2012

Mergers are once again on the agenda as companies strive to meet the constant demands of governments to cut costs and yet still make a profit.

AstraZeneca and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics to collaborate on bevacizumab biosimilar

Home/Pharma News | Posted 21/08/2015

Japanese biosimilars maker Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics announced on 24 July 2015 that it had entered into an agreement with pharma giant AstraZeneca to establish a joint venture for the development and commercialization of its candidate biosimilar, FKB238.

Hikma to acquire Boehringer Ingelheim’s US generics business

Home/Pharma News | Posted 21/08/2015

Jordan-based drugmaker Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Hikma) announced on 28 July 2015 that it had made a deal with Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim to acquire the latter’s US generics business: Roxane Laboratories and Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane (Roxane).

Lupin to expand US generics business with Gavis acquisition

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/08/2015

Indian generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 23 July 2015 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire US generics makers Gavis Pharmaceuticals and Novel Laboratories (Gavis).

Acquisitions for Endo and Strides

Home/Pharma News | Posted 26/06/2015

Endo Pharmaceuticals (Endo) and Strides Arcolab (Strides) are both looking at acquisitions as a way to expand their generics businesses.

Amneal to acquire Australian generics business from Actavis

Home/Pharma News | Posted 15/05/2015

Privately held US generics maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals (Amneal) announced on 31 March 2015 that it had made a deal with the Australian subsidiary of Actavis to acquire the Australian generics business of Actavis for an undisclosed amount.

Anticompetitive acquisition forces generics sale

Home/Pharma News | Posted 08/05/2015

US generics maker CorePharma has had to sell its rights of two generics in order to merge with fellow US drug company Impax Laboratories (Impax). The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that Impax’s acquisition of CorePharma would have been anticompetitive unless CorePharma sold its rights and assets for pilocarpine, a drug used to treat dry mouth and glaucoma, and ursodiol, a treatment for liver and gall bladder diseases.

Teva finally makes bid for Mylan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/05/2015

In the wake of many rumours, Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) finally announced on 21 April 2015 that it had made a bid for US-based generics maker Mylan.

Growing investment in Vietnam

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/04/2015

Cyprus-based generics company Medochemie is building its second factory in Vietnam. Construction on the site, which will occupy 44,700 square metres, is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 with operations commencing in early 2016.

Teva to buy Auspex Pharma, reinforcing CNS portfolio

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/04/2015

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 30 March 2015 that it would buy US biopharmaceutical company Auspex Pharmaceuticals (Auspex) for an equity value of US$3.5 billion.

India to set up pharma manufacturing clusters

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/04/2015

The Indian Government is planning to set up pharmaceutical manufacturing clusters in order to reduce costs and make the industry more competitive.

Boehringer Ingelheim loses patent battle with India’s Cipla

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/03/2015

German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Boehringer) has lost its patent on the Spiriva respiratory drug in India. The Indian patent office has agreed with the Indian drugmaker Cipla that Boehringer’s Spiriva patent was obvious and was not an invention under India’s patent laws.

Indian Government to launch own brand of generics

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/03/2015

Not happy with its current control over the price of drugs in the country, the Indian Government has announced plans to launch its own brand of low cost generics.

Canada clamps down on companies failing to post drug shortage information

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/02/2015

The Canadian Government has made it mandatory for drug companies to report actual and anticipated drug shortages. A voluntary system that had been in place was not working well enough, said the country’s Health Minister, Rona Ambrose.

Pfizer sets to lead biosimilars and generics markets

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/02/2015

Pharma giant Pfizer has announced it is to buy injectable generics specialist and biosimilars maker Hospira for US$17 billion. The products acquired in the deal will be integrated into Pfizer’s generics unit, Global Established Pharmaceutical (GEP).

Mylan on track to acquire Abbott generics and expand role in women’s health

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/02/2015

The European Commission (EC) has approved Mylan’s acquisition of Abbott Laboratories' Non-US Developed Markets Specialty and Branded Generics Business (Abbott EPD-DM), subject to conditions. US-based generics manufacturer Mylan will have to sell off a number of its businesses in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and UK in order to satisfy European Union merger regulations.

Actavis to buy UK generics maker Auden McKenzie

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/02/2015

US generics maker Actavis announced on 26 January 2015 that it had agreed to buy UK generics maker Auden McKenzie. The deal will propel Actavis into the top position in the UK for generics suppliers, placing it in third position in the UK overall.

Amgen’s approach in the biosimilars market

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/01/2015

Biotech giant Amgen now has a biosimilars programme that includes nine different molecules [1]. A representative from Amgen has spoken to GaBI about the company’s venture into biosimilars [2].

Cipla makes deal with Serum Institute for vaccines in Europe

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/12/2014

India-based generics maker Cipla announced on 20 November 2014 that it had signed a deal with the Serum Institute of India (Serum Institute) to distribute vaccines in Europe.

Actavis buys Allergan and joins pharma top 10

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/11/2014

On 17 November 2014, US generics maker Actavis announced that the company had made a deal to acquire botox-maker Allergan for US$66 billion.

Xbrane signs biosimilar optimization deal with Indian pharma firm

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/11/2014

Swedish biotech company Xbrane Bioscience (Xbrane) has signed an agreement with a global Indian pharmaceutical company to assist them in developing an optimized production system for a specific biosimilar that will be marketed worldwide. The aim is to help the client reduce production costs in order to gain a competitive advantage in the biosimilar market.

Cipla Medpro to collaborate with Teva for generics in South Africa

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/11/2014

India-based generics maker Cipla announced on 8 October 2014 that it had made a collaboration deal with Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals for sales and distribution of the latter’s generic drugs in South Africa.

Supernus sues Actavis over generic Trokendi XR

Home/Pharma News | Posted 31/10/2014

US-based central nervous system specialist Supernus Pharmaceuticals (Supernus) announced on 2 Oct 2014 that it had sued generics maker Actavis for infringement of three patents covering its antiepileptic drug Trokendi XR (extended release topiramate). The three US patents (8,298,576, 8,298,580, and 8,663,683) cover once-a-day topiramate formulations and methods of treating seizures using those formulations.

Generics maker IGI Labs gains rights to AstraZeneca injectables

Home/Pharma News | Posted 17/10/2014

Speciality topical generics maker IGI Laboratories (IGI Labs) announced on 25 September 2014 that it had acquired the rights for 18 drugs from AstraZeneca.

India suffers HIV drug shortages

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/10/2014

Supply bottlenecks and late payments to drugmakers have hit HIV treatment supplies across India, according to reports in the Indian press. The drug shortages, which affect those least able to pay, have seen some government distribution centres running out of drugs altogether.

Biocad to be taken over by Russian investment firm

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/06/2014

Russia’s biggest drugmaker, Pharmstandard, and investment company, Millhouse LLC, have said that they are planning to buy 70% of Russian biosimilars developer Biocad.

Amgen and Pfizer seek deal with Russian non-originator biologicals firm

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/08/2013

Russian biotechnology company Biocad is reported to be attracting offers from US-based Pfizer and biotechnology giant Amgen.

Strides and Shasun merger aims to spread risk

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/10/2014

In the current climate of increasing scrutiny against Indian generics manufacturers by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Indian generics maker Strides Arcolab (Strides) and India-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) maker Shasun Pharmaceuticals (Shasun) have announced a ‘risk-spreading’ merger.

Cipla and S&D Pharma make generics deal for Czech Republic and Slovakia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 19/09/2014

India-based generics maker Cipla has partnered with S&D Pharma to launch affordable, high quality generics in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Patients at risk from UK drug shortages

Home/Pharma News | Posted 12/09/2014

Ongoing drug shortages in the UK have led to 80% of general practitioners (GPs) surveyed reporting that their workloads have increased in the last year. A third of doctors say their patients have been harmed or been negatively affected if a second choice has had to be prescribed.

Investor principles on biosimilars gained support

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/09/2014

Amgen and Novartis (parent company of Sandoz, a leader in the biosimilars field) have both come out in support of a set of principles on biosimilars laid down by a coalition of 19 institutional investors.

Branded drugmaker could be sued for generic’s side effects

Home/Pharma News | Posted 29/08/2014

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled, for the second time, that Pfizer could be sued for damages allegedly caused by its heartburn drug Reglan (metoclopramide), even if the plaintiff had only taken a generic version of the drug. The ruling follows a rehearing requested by Pfizer, which failed to overturn the original ruling.

Generics shortages continue to rise in the UK

Home/Pharma News | Posted 22/08/2014

There is growing anxiety around the supply of generic medicines in the UK, according to a statement released by the country’s All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG). The problem is worse than it was two years ago [1], say the cross-bench Members of Parliament who make up the group, and it is not being addressed by the Department of Health’s (DoH) supply chain forum which was set up to address this very issue.

Generics deals for Mylan, Pfizer and Sun Pharma

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/08/2014

Not to be beaten by biosimilars manufacturers, generics makers are also jumping on the ‘deals’ bandwagon, with a plethora of collaborations announced in the past weeks.

Endo to buy generics maker DAVA

Home/Pharma News | Posted 01/08/2014

Specialty pharmaceuticals maker Endo Health Solutions (Endo) announced on 24 June 2014 that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire generics maker DAVA Pharmaceuticals for US$575 million in cash, with another US$25 million up for grabs depending on the achievement of certain sales milestones.

Abbott to buy Russian generics firm

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/07/2014

US-based pharma company Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) announced on 23 June 2014 that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Russian generics maker Veropharm.

Pfenex looking for funding for its biosimilars pipeline

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/06/2014

US biotechnology firm Pfenex is looking to raise more than US$45 million to further its biosimilars pipeline.

Views on biosimilars at Amgen and Actavis

Home/Pharma News | Posted 20/06/2014

Biotech giant Amgen and US generics maker Actavis entered into a collaboration for the development and commercialization of several cancer antibody biosimilars back in December 2011 [1]. Now the two companies have spoken to GaBI about their views on biosimilars and their biosimilar plans [2].

Abbott expands generics business in Latin America

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/06/2014

US-based pharma company Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) announced on 16 May 2014 that it was expanding its presence in Latin American and increasing its branded generics portfolio with the acquisition of CFR Pharmaceuticals (CFR).

Pamplona investment group buys majority share in Alvolgen

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/05/2014

Specialist investment manager Pamplona Capital Management (Pamplona) announced on 2 April 2014 that it had acquired a majority stake in US generics company Alvogen, one of the fastest growing generics companies in the pharmaceutical industry.

Actavis to acquire generics from Akorn

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/05/2014

US generics major Actavis announced on 17 April 2014 that it had made a deal with Akorn and Hi-Tech Pharmacal (Hi-Tech) to buy five of their products.

UK court invalidates Herceptin patents

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/04/2014

A High Court in the UK has overturned two key patents on Roche’s breast cancer blockbuster Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Sun Pharma to acquire Ranbaxy creating 5th largest generics firm

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/04/2014

India-based Sun Pharmaceutical (Sun Pharma) announced on 6 April 2014 that the company had agreed to acquire rival generics maker Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) in an all-stock deal worth US$3.2 billion.

Actavis buys Thai generics company

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/04/2014

US generics major Actavis has acquired Silom Medical Company, a privately held generics firm focused on developing and marketing therapies in Thailand, for around US$100 million in cash.

US FTC hopes to collect US$1 billion from pay-for-delay settlement

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/04/2014

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking to collect more than US$1 billion from a settlement with pharmaceutical companies it has sued for their part in what the FTC terms ‘pay-for-delay’ deals.

Anticompetitive practices come under scrutiny in Australia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/03/2014

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has started proceedings in the Federal Court against Pfizer Australia (Pfizer) alleging that offers made by Pfizer to pharmacies before the expiry of the patents for its blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug Liptor (atorvastatin) were anticompetitive.

Actavis to acquire specialty drugmaker Forest Labs

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/03/2014

US-based generic drugmaker Actavis is set to grow even bigger, with the acquisition of US-based Forest Laboratories (Forest Labs), according to an announcement by the companies on 18 February 2014.

Actavis sells interest in China

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/02/2014

US generic drugmaker Actavis has sold its interest in its Chinese subsidiary based in Foshan, Guangdong, to Zhejiang Chiral Medicine Chemicals. Actavis, the second biggest generic drugmaker by market capitalization, intends to continue further commercial operations in China in collaboration with its preferred business partners.

Aurobindo to acquire seven generics businesses from Actavis

Home/Pharma News | Posted 31/01/2014

US generics maker Actavis and Indian generics maker Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) announced on 17 January 2014 the signing of an offer for Aurobindo to acquire generics commercial operations in seven markets in Western Europe from Actavis.

Pfizer’s generics business up for grabs

Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/01/2014

In 2013, Pfizer, the world’s largest drugmaker, split its business into two brand-name drug units and a generics business. Now it seems the generics unit, or its ‘established products’ unit, is being circled for a potential takeover bid.

Pricing dispute causing drug shortages in Pakistan

Home/Pharma News | Posted 17/01/2014

Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Pakistan are warning the Pakistan Government that shortages in life-saving drugs are a result of the ongoing dispute over drug prices.

Ireland’s IPHA hits back at high drug prices claim

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/12/2013

The Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) has hit back at statements from the European Commission’s (EC’s) troika that drug prices in the country are unjustifiably high.

Health Canada approves generic oxycodone despite fears of abuse

Home/Pharma News | Posted 29/11/2013

Canada’s drug regulator Health Canada has approved a generic non-crush resistant form of oxycodone, despite the fact that US officials have been urging their Canadian counterpart to ban such formulation of the powerful painkiller.

Ireland high drug prices cannot be justified

Home/Pharma News | Posted 22/11/2013

The European Commission’s troika mission to Ireland has told Government TDs (Members of Parliament) that the cost of pharmaceutical drugs in the country cannot be justified. Drug prices in the country have been found to be at least three times more expensive than in the UK.

EMA launches public catalogue of drug shortages

Home/Pharma News | Posted 15/11/2013

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on 4 November 2013 the launch of its public catalogue on supply shortages of drugs.

FDA announces two actions to combat drug shortages

Home/Pharma News | Posted 08/11/2013

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 31 October 2013 that it is taking two important actions to further enhance the agency’s ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve drug shortages.

Australia should not copy New Zealand’s drug pricing system

Home/Pharma News | Posted 25/10/2013

Australia should resist ongoing pressure to adopt a New Zealand-style model of medicines funding, according to Medicines Australia, a group that represents originator manufacturers.

US state introduces law to allow meds to be bought over Internet

Home/Pharma News | Posted 18/10/2013

On 9 October 2013, the US state of Maine introduced a law allowing its residents to purchase foreign prescription drugs over the Internet.

India approves Mylan’s purchase of Agila

Home/Pharma News | Posted 11/10/2013

Generics giant Mylan announced on 3 September 2013 that its proposed acquisition of generics injectables maker Agila Specialties (Agila) from Strides Arcolab for Rs 5,168-crore (US$1.6 billion) had been cleared by the Indian Government.

Johnson & Johnson warns of shortages of cancer drug Doxil

Home/Pharma News | Posted 04/10/2013

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies (Janssen), a division of healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, has warned of impending shortages of its ovarian cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin).

Sandoz launches new device for its biosimilar somatropin

Home/Pharma News | Posted 27/09/2013

Sandoz, the generic drug division of Swiss drug giant Novartis, announced on 23 September 2013 the launch of a new delivery device for its biosimilar somatropin product (Omnitrope) in the UK.

Akorn to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal for US$640 million

Home/Pharma News | Posted 13/09/2013

Generic eye-drugmaker Akorn has entered into a deal to buy Hi-Tech Pharmacal (Hi-Tech) for US$640 million in cash to expand into oral liquids and ointments, including cold and cough treatments.

Endo to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal

Home/Pharma News | Posted 06/09/2013

Specialty pharmaceutical maker Endo Health Solutions (Endo) announced on 28 August 2013 that its generics subsidiary, Qualitest, has agreed to buy specialty generic drugmaker Boca Pharmacal (Boca) for US$225 million in cash.

Actavis and Bioton form joint venture for insulin

Home/Pharma News | Posted 03/02/2012

Icelandic generics manufacturer Actavis announced on 30 January 2012 that it had formed a joint venture company with Polish biotechnology company Bioton for the development and registration of insulin products, including analogue insulins.

Philippines urged to import drugs from Bangladesh

Home/Pharma News | Posted 10/05/2013

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Sheikh Hasina, on 5 May 2013 urged the Philippines to import pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, particularly for the countries governmental hospitals and clinics, due to the significant cost-savings to be made.

Generics manufacturers increase investment in injectables

Home/Pharma News | Posted 30/08/2013

Generic drugmaker Zydus Cadila, the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in India, is set to invest about US$15.8 million in building an FDA-approved injectables-manufacturing plant. The news in August 2013 came just as Aurobindo Pharma announced plans to spin-off its injectables business to strengthen that side of its operations further.

Fresenius Kabi sets up generics joint venture in Indonesia

Home/Pharma News | Posted 23/08/2013

Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 19 August 2013 that it had set up a joint venture with Indonesia-based PT Soho Global Health, acquiring a 51% share in its subsidiary PT Ethica Industri Farmasi.

Perrigo expands global ambitions with Elan buy

Home/Pharma News | Posted 16/08/2013

US-based generics maker Perrigo Company (Perrigo) announced on 29 July 2013 that it would acquire Irish biotechnology company Elan Corporation (Elan) for US$8.6 billion.

Pfizer prepares to split off generics business

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/08/2013

Pfizer, the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company, has announced plans to split off its generics drug business into a separate commercial operation. News of the plans came as the company reported its second quarter 2013 results at the end of July.

Aspen makes deals with Merck and GSK

Home/Pharma News | Posted 09/08/2013

Generics manufacturer Aspen Pharmacare Holdings (Aspen) is expanding its brand-name business, first signing a deal with Pharma giant Merck, and then offering to buy two brand-name heart medications from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

CFR pharma expands global ambitions with Adcock bid

Home/Pharma News | Posted 02/08/2013

Chile-based CFR Pharmaceuticals (CFR) has plans to become a global drugmaker. In its latest efforts it has made a US$1.3 billion cash-and-share offer for South Africa’s second-largest generics drugmaker Adcock Ingram (Adcock).

UK plans to cut drug prices by up to 20%

Home/Pharma News | Posted 05/07/2013

The UK’s Department of Health (DoH) has launched a consultation to strengthen the statutory pharmaceutical pricing scheme, which covers the prices the National Health Service (NHS) pays for brand-name drugs not covered by the voluntary Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). The consultation is seeking views on a price cut on drug prices of between 10% and 20% to ensure the NHS continues to get good value for money.

Viagra generics hit the market in Europe

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/06/2013

The patent on Pfizer’s blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) expired on 21 June 2013 in the UK, along with several other European countries.

Nigeria needs to combat fake drugs and ageing facilities

Home/Pharma News | Posted 14/06/2013

Nigeria has ageing drug-manufacturing facilities and a problem with imports of fake drugs, according to Mr Olakunle Ekundayo, Group Managing Director, Drugfield Pharmaceuticals.

Sun Pharma looking to buy Sweden’s Meda

Home/Pharma News | Posted 07/06/2013

India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) is reportedly in talks to acquire Swedish drugmaker Meda for US$5–6 billion.

Actavis makes definitive agreement with Warner Chilcott

Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/05/2013

US generic drugmaker Actavis (formerly Watson) and Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott announced on 20 May 2013 that the two companies had entered into a definitive agreement under which Actavis will acquire Warner Chilcott in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately US$8.5 billion.

Actavis in discussions to buy Warner Chilcott

Home/Pharma News | Posted 17/05/2013

US generics maker Actavis (formerly Watson) confirmed on 14 May 2013 that the company had entered into discussions to buy Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott.