Author Archives: Cassandra Blohowiak

Pfizer Acquires Generics, Branded Ophthalics

By Cassandra Blohowiak | Published: March 4, 2009
Pfizer further expanded into the generics business today, signing an agreement with Indian pharmaceutical company Aurobindo for rights to a slew of generic products. Pfizer will add to its product portfolio 39 generic solid oral dose products in the US and 20 in Europe, as well as 12 injectable products in the US and Europe. [...]
Posted in Deals, Sales | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Pharma Layoffs Continue

By Cassandra Blohowiak | Published: March 4, 2009
It’s been another tough few weeks for pharma employees as four more companies handed out pink slips in an effort to trim bottom lines. Elan cut 14 percent of its global work force last Wednesday as a part of an ongoing strategic review process. The company announced that it would postpone biologics manufacturing, redesign R&D in [...]
Posted in Strategy | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Astellas Keeps After CV Therapeutics

By Cassandra Blohowiak | Published: February 27, 2009
Astellas bid for CV Therapeutics turned hostile this morning when the Japanese drug firm offered $1 billion dollars for the company directly to shareholders. The CVT board rejected Astellas’s second proposal last Friday stating that the Astellas proposal undervalued the company and is not in the best interest of the shareholders. In a press release issued this [...]
Posted in Deals | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Acorda Seeking NDA for MS Drug

By Cassandra Blohowiak | Published: February 27, 2009
Hawthorne, NY-based Acorda Therapeutics yesterday released Phase III clinical trial data of fampridine-SR, a novel treatment that improves walking ability in Multiple Sclerosis patients. Acorda filed a New Drug Application for fampridine on January 30, and FDA approval is expected in about 10 months. If green-lighted, fampridine will be the first drug approved with the indication [...]
Posted in Biotech | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Witty Proposes Price Cap for Poor Nations

By Cassandra Blohowiak | Published: February 18, 2009
GlaxoSmithKline CEO Andrew Witty proposed Friday to slash drug prices in the world’s 50 poorest countries and reinvest 20 percent of the profits in bolstering local health care. In a speech at Harvard Medical School Friday, Witty said drug prices will be capped at 25 percent of what they cost in developed nations. He also [...]
Posted in Corporate Responsibility, Emerging Markets, People | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment