Chemical Business Newsbase articles from July 2009

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from July 2009

FDA takes action against Teva Animal Health Inc: Company fails to adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations.
July 31, 2009... On 31 Jul 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a consent decree of a permanent injunction filed on that day, that prohibits Teva Animal Health Inc, its president, and two principals from its parent company, from manufacturing and...

FDA approves new drug treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
July 31, 2009... On 31 Jul 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Onglyza (saxagliptin), a once-daily tablet to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. The medication is intended to be used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar...

Ukraine: drugs industry halts loss of market share.
July 31, 2009... Although consumption of drugs in the Ukraine fell in 2008, sales value rose because of increases in prices. This is due on the one hand to higher production costs within the Ukrainian drugs industry: the introduction of GMP standards and...

Hungary: drugs producer erecting plant in Jagodina.
July 31, 2009... Hungarian drugs producer and wholesaler Domoinvest is to erect a plant in Jagodina, Serbia. Construction of a 550 square metres production and storage facility will begin in 2009. Some 50 will be employed initially.

Russian drugs production up a quarter.
July 31, 2009... Russian gold production was up 24.6% in 1H 2009 at 77.3 tonnes. Growth is due to the intensive working of deposits in the Amor and Chukotka regions. The country's biggest gold producer Poljus Soloto had announced in recent weeks that it was to...

Indonesia: Inco Indonesia increases nickel production slightly.
July 31, 2009... PT International Nickel Indonesia (PT Inco) produced 16,300 tonnes of nickel in 2Q 2009, compared with 16,200 tonnes in 1Q.

Clariant simplifies structure for increased strategic flexibility.
July 31, 2009... Clariant was hit by weak demand in 2Q 2009 and plans further restructuring measures. Divisional management levels will favour greater operational and strategic flexibility. Steps already taken have had a positive effect, but operating profits...

Ambrilia Biopharma Inc to file for Creditor protection.
July 31, 2009... Ambrilia Biopharma Inc (Ambrilia) will seek court protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) (Canada) in Canada. Application under the CCAA will be heard by the Quebec Superior Court on 31 Jul 2009. As a result of current...

US FDA's Arthritis Advisory Committee confirms date to review Auxilium Pharmaceuticals's Xiaflex for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.
July 31, 2009... Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc (Auxilium) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Arthritis Advisory Committee confirmed it will review Xiaflex during an advisory committee hearing on 16 Sep 2009. The Arthritis Advisory...

DGAP-news: Cytos Biotechnology AG CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is safe and efficacious in Phase IIb study.
July 31, 2009... Cytos Biotechnology Ltd announced that a Phase IIb study with CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis met its primary and both secondary endpoints. The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled,...

SemBioSys Genetics Inc announces agreement with Avrio Ventures Limited and Botaneco.
July 31, 2009... SemBioSys Genetics Inc has completed the previously announced transaction with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Botaneco Specialty Ingredients Inc (Botaneco) and Avrio Ventures Limited Partnership (Avrio) for the purpose of amending the capital...

KD Scientific Inc: New Disposable Infusion Pump minimizes cross contamination.
July 31, 2009... The KD Scientific EZFlow 2050 disposable infusion pump is simple, convenient, and affordable. It is designed to electronically deliver continuous, constantly controlled infusions and will meet the CE 0197 certification. To operate, simply dial...

Watchdog delays UK debut of Astra swine flu treatment.
July 31, 2009... Britons will have to wait for a pioneering line of defence against swine flu according to AstraZeneca, which admitted its H1N1 vaccine has been hit by delays. FluMist, the spraying mechanism that is used to administer its flu vaccine, is...

Biotech drug company CEL-SCI (CVM) preparing for worst case H1N1 Flu scenario using extremely promising new technology.
July 31, 2009... CEL-SCI Corp is positioned to help combat the virus after diligently preparing for the worst case scenario with promising results. CEL-SCI's pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that vaccines utilizing its proprietary LEAPS (Ligand Epitope...

Shell's profits fall 70% after oil price slump.
July 31, 2009... Royal Dutch Shell's profits dropped by 70% in 2Q 2009, squeezed by both recession-hit demand and the falling price of oil. Earnings in the three months to June dropped to $2.3 bn (GBP 1.4 bn) from $7.9 bn last year, while 1H 2009 figures showed...

Market Report: Miners enjoy copper-bottomed gains.
July 31, 2009... Copper producers, including Antofagasta, up 7.6% at 762.5p, and Kazakhmys, up 5.8% at 833.5p, rallied on 30 Jul 2009, as investors piled in on the prospect of another spike in the metal's price. The bulls bought in after Nomura weighed in,...

Tamiflu researchers warn of child nightmares.
July 31, 2009... More than half of children taking Tamiflu suffer side-effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares, researchers said. Two studies from experts at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed a "high proportion" of British schoolchildren...

Natco Pharma profit up 5% for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... The Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma Ltd has posted a net profit of Rup 8 crores, up by 5%, on total revenues of Rup 73 crores for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 7.68 crores on total revenues of Rup 62 crores in 1Q ended Jun 2008). (1 crore=10...

Tata Chem profits up 59% on demand growth.
July 31, 2009... Tata Chemicals, manufacturer of chemicals (soda ash) and fertilizers, has posted a net profit of Rup 94 crores, up by 59%, on sales of Rup 1394 crores, on a stand alone basis, for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 59 crores on sales of Rup...

NMDC: Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... NMDC Ltd has recorded a net profit of Rup 773.75 crores on net sales/income from operations of Rup 1278.05 crores for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 981.31 crores on net sales/income from operations of Rup 1673.15 crores in 1Q ended Jun...

Indian Oil pumps up nine-fold rise in 1Q 2009-2010 profits: Inventory, forex gains and lower interest give the boost.
July 31, 2009... Indian Oil Corp Ltd has recorded a nine-fold increase in net profit at Rup 3682.83 crores on a turnover of Rup 63,521 crores for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 415.13 crores on a turnover of Rup 80,735 crores in 1Q ended Jun 2008). The...

Wockhardt posts Rup 190 crores loss.
July 31, 2009... Pharma major Wockhardt has incurred a net loss of Rup 190 crores on net sales of Rup 954 crores for the quarter ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 106 crores on net sales of Rup 910 crores in the quarter ended Jun 2008. The loss is attributed to...

AVT Natural Products; Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... Solvent extracted products manufacturer AVT Natural Products Ltd has registered a net profit of Rup 12 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 1801 lakhs for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 46 lakhs on net sales/income from...

Naga: Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... Naga Ltd has posted a profit-after-tax of Rup 140.14 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 5239.62 lakhs for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (profit-after-tax of Rup 39.61 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 4064.81 lakhs in 1Q ended...

Godrej Industries: Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... Godrej Industries Ltd has registered a net profit of Rup 1636 lakhs on net sales of Rup 76,304 lakhs for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 5282 lakhs on net sales of Rup 83,015 lakhs in 1Q ended Jun 2008). During 1Q 2009-2010, the company...

HBL Power Systems: Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... HBL Power Systems has recorded a net profit of Rup 2640 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 26,110 lakhs for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 3481 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 31,674 lakhs in 1Q ended Jun...

Venkys (India): Results for 1Q 2009-2010.
July 31, 2009... Venkys (India) Ltd has posted a net profit of Rup 1111 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 16,961 lakhs for 1Q ended Jun 2009 (net profit of Rup 968 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 14,137 lakhs in 1Q ended Jun...

Dow Corning reports sales and profits for 2Q 2009.
July 31, 2009... Dow Corning Corp reported consolidated adjusted net income of $115.5 M for 2Q ended Jun 2009, a decrease of 38% from net income of $187.7 M reported in 2Q ended Jun 2008. For 1H ended Jun 2009, adjusted net income was $182.2 M, a decline of 48%...

CuraGen reports 2Q 2009 financial results.
July 31, 2009... CuraGen Corp reported its financial results for 2Q and 1H ended Jun 2009 and announced that it had further reduced its outstanding convertible debt and reached an agreement in principle, expressed in a memorandum of understanding, to settle...

United Therapeutics Corp Reports 2Q 2009 financial results.
July 31, 2009... United Therapeutics Corp announced its results of operations for 2Q and 1H ended 30 Jun 2009. Total revenues for 2Q 2009 were $84 M ($68.6 M in 2Q 2008). United Therapeutics recognized a net loss of $2.3 M or $(0.09)/basic share for 2Q 2009 (net...

Brazil's Petrobras invests R$ 18.56 bn 1H 2009, 42.2% of 2009 budget.
July 31, 2009... Brazilian oil company Petrobras invested R$ 18.56 bn in 1H 2009, 42.2% of what is forecast for 2009 as a whole. This is according to figures from a budget report published by the Planning Ministry in 31 Jul 2009 edition of the Diario Official...

The Andersons Inc closes Hartung Brothers Inc fertilizer division acquisition.
July 31, 2009... The Andersons Inc has closed the purchase of the Fertilizer Division of Hartung Brothers Inc, as an addition to its Plant Nutrient Group. The acquisition of this leading regional wholesale supplier of liquid fertilizers, includes strategically...

DuPont Titanium Technologies announces a price increase for Ti-Pure titanium dioxide products in Latin America.
July 31, 2009... DuPont Titanium Technologies announced a price increase for all DuPont Ti-Pure titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades sold in Latin America. Effective 1 Sep 2009, or as permitted by contract, prices in Latin America will increase by $150/tonne. This...

INVEGA approved as the first and only treatment for schizoaffective disorder.
July 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first and only antipsychotic for the acute treatment of schizoaffective disorder. INVEGA (paliperidone) extended-release tablets were approved for the acute treatment of schizoaffective...

MethylGene reports 2Q 2009 financial results.
July 31, 2009... MethylGene Inc announced financial results for the 2Q ended 30 Jun 2009. The 2Q 2009 was highlighted by continuing enrolment in the two Phase I trials evaluating MGCD265 in solid tumours, with favourable data from the trials presented in May at...

UCB Inc progress: New product launches and financials on track.
July 31, 2009... UCB announced its consolidated 1H 2009 financial results. The 1H year of 2009 is marked by progress with clinical development, operational and financial performance, and by a record number of product launches. The company is focusing on the...

Ecopetrol announces results for 2Q and 1H 2009.
July 31, 2009... Ecopetrol SA (Ecopetrol) announced its unaudited consolidated and unconsolidated financial results for 2Q and 1H ended 30 Jun 2009. Unconsolidated net profit for 2Q 2009 was Colombian peso 762 bn or Colombian peso 18.83/share (-77.3% from...

Commission Directive 2009/88/EC of 30 Jul 2009 amending Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council to include thiacloprid as an active substance in Annex I thereto.
July 31, 2009... Adopted on 30 Jul 2009. The Commission of the European Communities, having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, having regard to Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 Feb 1998 concerning the...

Commission Directive 2009/89/EC of 30 Jul 2009 amending Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council to include nitrogen as an active substance in Annex I thereto.
July 31, 2009... Adopted on 30 Jul 2009. The Commission of the European Communities, having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, having regard to Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 Feb 1998 concerning the...

SmartStax corn receives Japanese import approval.
July 31, 2009... A key regulatory milestone has been reached for the 2010 commercial launch of SmartStax, the corn industry's eagerly anticipated seed trait combination that will provide US and Canadian corn farmers the most comprehensive weed and insect control...

PharmaForce Inc receives FDA approval for first generic of betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension, USP.
July 31, 2009... PharmaForce Inc announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Betamethasone Acetate Injectable Suspension, USP, a...

Pharmasset reports positive preliminary antiviral data with PSI-7851 for the treatment of Hepatitis C.
July 31, 2009... Pharmasset Inc eported positive preliminary results from its Phase I clinical trial of PSI-7851 for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV). PSI-7851 is a second generation nucleotide polymerase inhibitor of HCV. In Jun 2009, Pharmasset initiated a...

JAG Media Holdings Inc announces completion of acquisition of CardioGenics Inc.
July 31, 2009... JAG Media Holdings Inc announced that it has completed the acquisition of CardioGenics Inc by JAG Media's Ontario, Canada subsidiary, CardioGenics ExchangeCo Inc. In connection with the acquisition, ExchangeCo acquired all of the outstanding...

New and generic drug approvals: Betamethasone Acetate and Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection, Pharmaforce. [1 table in original article].
July 31, 2009... On 31 Jul 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration announced approval of ANDA 090747 for Betamethasone Acetate and Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection. The product contains betamethasone acetate at 3mg/ml and betamethasone sodium phosphate...

New and generic drug approvals: Avastin Vial, Intravenous, Genentech.
July 31, 2009... On 31 Jul 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration announced approval of BLA 125085 (control supplement) for Avastin Vial, Intravenous. The product contains bevacizumab at 100mg/vial or 400mg/vial, is manufactured by Genentech, and is...

Dow Benelux selling 6 plants at Terneuzen and Tessenderlo.
July 31, 2009... Dow Benelux has put up for sale five plants at Terneuzen, Netherlands, and one at Tessenderlo, Belgium, complete with personnel. These facilities cover all Dow Benelux operations involving styrene and related bulk products. They are no longer...

Nanomaterial case studies: nanoscale titanium dioxide in water treatment and topical sunscreen.
July 31, 2009... The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document titled, Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and Topical Sunscreen (EPA/600/R-09/057). The...

Lundbeck ends further development of Bifuprenox.
July 31, 2009... Lundbeck and Solvay Pharmaceuticals have terminated the further development of the schizophrenia drug Bifuprenox which has been under development for 5-6 years. Bifuprenox was licensed from Solvay in 2000 for markets outside of N America and...

6 research and development setbacks for Lundbeck.
July 31, 2009... Over the last 4 years Lundbeck has suffered 6 significant setbacks which have involved delays and product losses that have cost shareholders billions of DKR; the latest of these is the abandoning of the Bifuprenox project in Jul 2009. This was...

Novozymes and Danisco: ethanol production up in US in May 2009.
July 31, 2009... In May 2009 US production of ethanol reached 669,000 tonnes/day, 12% up on May 2008 and good news for both Novozymes and Danisco in terms of sales of enzymes for bioethanol production. On 1 May 2009 there were 163 plants operating but there were...

Administration of Alizyme plc: Update.
July 31, 2009... Since Alizyme plc and Alizyme Therapeutics Ltd entered administration on Monday 27 Jul, the administrators, Ian Carr and Nigel Morrison, partners at Grant Thornton UK LLP, have been approached by a number of parties interested in acquiring...

Vale Inco workers at Voisey's Bay go on strike: Brazil.
July 31, 2009... Workers at Vale Inco's Voisey's Bay division launched a strike on 1 Aug 2009. Voisey's Bay is under the Newfoundland and Labrador mining branch, which yields nickel, copper and cobalt. Workers at the company's Sudbury and Port Colborne...

Buenaventura 2Q 2009 profit rises 10% thanks to Yanacocha: Peru.
July 31, 2009... Buenaventuras net income in 2Q 2009 increased by 10% to $134 M from $122 M in 2Q 2008, buoyed by higher production at the Yanacocha gold mine, in which the Peruvian miner has a 43.7% interest. Yanacocha registered a 58% higher profit for...

Goldcorp in talks with smelters to sell Penasquito output: Mexico.
July 31, 2009... Canadian miner Goldcorp is negotiating with five smelters for long-term frame contracts covering lead-zinc concentrates produced at the Penasquito mine in Mexico's Zacatecas state. The mine is scheduled to start production in 4Q 2009. Penasquito...

AngloGold recovers from year-on-year losses in 2Q 2009, ups output: Argentina, Brazil.
July 31, 2009... South African miner AngloGold Ashanti realized a bottom line of $215 M in 2Q 2009 as against a $307 M loss in 2Q 2008. Reflecting gains or losses on bonds and derivatives, the company's headline earnings reached $167 M compared with a $761 M...

Camimex urges authorities to resolve conflict at Cananea: Mexico.
July 31, 2009... Mexico's mining chamber Camimex is pushing for government intervention to end the ongoing conflict at Southern Copper's (SCC) Cananea copper mine. Workers at the mine abandoned their jobs in Jul 2007 in protest of pay and working conditions,...

Anglo American bottom line falls 68.5% in 1H 2009, copper output slips: Chile.
July 31, 2009... Multinational resource firm Anglo American saw its underlying earnings plummet 68.5% to $1.10 bn in 1H 2009, while Ebitda declined 57.6% to $2.99 bn. Revenues were down 37.9% to $11.1 bn. Operating profit from ferrous metals fell 36% to $802 M...

Anglo American reveals resources for two deposits near Los Bronces copper mine: Chile.
July 31, 2009... Anglo American has discovered 900 M tonnes of inferred JORC resource, grading 0.81% copper and 0.02% molybdenum, in a deposit adjacent to its Los Bronces mine in Chile. The London-based miner also identified inferred resource of 1.2 bn tonnes,...

Repsol: gas rate hikes to increase YPF activity: Argentina.
July 31, 2009... Spanish oil major Repsol's YPF subsidiary in Argentina is seen to expand activities with the governments decision in Jul 2009 to allow higher rates for natural gas. YPF could hike prices by 50% for the remainder of 2009 and by 70% in 1H 2010....

Ecopetrol net plummets 77% in 2Q 2009: Colombia.
July 31, 2009... Colombia's state oil firm Ecopetrol posted a net profit of Colombian Peso 762 bn in 2Q 2009, down 77.3% from Peso 3.357 trillion in 2Q 2008. Revenues were down 29.1% to Peso 6.685 trillion; operational profits plummeted 51.4% to Peso 2.132...

Pemex refining margin up 61% on lower crude prices: Mexico.
July 31, 2009... The refining margin of Mexican state oil firm Pemex rose to $1.71/bbl in 2Q 2009 from $1.06/bbl in 2Q 2008 because of weak crude prices. Pemex processed 1.26 M bbls/day of heavy crude oil in Mar-Jun 2009, a decrease of 1.8% year on year. The...

Low prices continue to impact Pluspetrol Camisea earnings: Peru.
July 31, 2009... Pluspetrol Camisea's bottom line in 2Q 2009 plummeted by 65% year on year to $11.1 M. Net sales plunged 48.3% to $43.5 M; operating profit fell 57.8% to $18.8 M. The company attributed its sales performance to weak NGL prices. Pluspetrol Camisea...

Moody's downgrades Petrotrin ratings to Baa3: Trinidad & Tobago.
July 31, 2009... Petrotrin's foreign currency issuer rating, global local currency rating and foreign currency senior unsecured notes rating have been lowered by Moody's from Baa2 to Baa3. Outlook for Trinidad & Tobagos state oil firm, however, remains...

Update on FDA registration of Actemra, a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody for rheumatoid arthritis .
July 31, 2009... On 31 Jul 2009, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd announced that FDA has accepted the complete response resubmission that Roche made to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Biologics License Application (BLA)...

Philadelphia firm to import Chinese-made additives.
July 31, 2009... Performance Additives LLC, based in Philadelphia, PA, USA, has agreed to be the exclusive distributor of additives from China-based Shandong Rike Chemical Co Ltd in North America. Rike's products include acrylic and ABS impact modifiers as well...

Fiber Composites to produce PVC decking for CertainTeed.
July 31, 2009... Fiber Composites LLC, based in New London, SC, USA, has agreed to supply its EverNew LT cellular PVC decking product to building products firm CertainTeed Corp. EverNew gives CertainTeed its first premium vinyl deck board since autumn 2007 when...

Dow Coating Materials raises prices for styrene acrylic binder and opaque polymer emulsion products in Europe.
July 31, 2009... Effective 15 Aug 2009, Dow Coating Materials will increase prices by 5-7% for its styrene acrylic binder and opaque polymer emulsion products in Europe. The increases are necessitated by the continued pressure on margins due to the rising cost...

Lonza launches XSpedite Microbial Services for pre-clinical quantities.
July 31, 2009... In response to growing customer demand, Lonza has introduced an unprecedented fixed-price manufacturing service for rapidly delivering quantities of microbially derived biopharmaceuticals (up to 1g). Lonza guarantees a minimum quantity will be...

Starch and glucose producer Syral opens new facilities at Marckolsheim.
July 31, 2009... Europe's third largest starch producer Syral has invested EUR 15 M in a spray-drying tower. It has also opened a new research centre at Marckolsheim, France. The new tower will allow Syral to respond to a deficit in maltodextrin and dry glucose....

French crop protection chemical market expands in 2008.
July 31, 2009... According to the Union des industries des plantes (UIPP), the French crop protection chemical market expanded in 2008. Active ingredient sales increased by 2% to 78,600 tonnes. Fungicide sales were up 6% in volume due to incidence of diseases,...

White displaces silver as the most popular car colour in Japan and North America while the Europeans prefer black.
July 31, 2009... As the world's largest supplier of automotive paints, DuPont has a natural interest in studying trends in colour preferences evinced by customers for new cars. It has published its data every year since 1952 in the annual Global Automotive Color...

New treatment for prostate cancer available in the UK.
July 31, 2009... Ferring Pharmaceuticals launched Firmagon (degarelix) in Great Britain, a new drug for the treatment of hormone-dependent prostate carcinoma. Degarelix is a gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist which is administered through subcutaneous...

Merck Serono launches sapropterin in the UK.
July 31, 2009... Merck Serono launched the pharmaceutical Kuvan (sapropterin), a new drug for the treatment of hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA) in Great Britain. Kuvan is the only pharmaceutical approved in Europe for the treatment of HPA caused by phenylketonuria...

Prescription of generic drugs in England.
July 31, 2009... Two years ago the National Audit Office in England predicted that the Primary Care Trusts of the National Health Service (NHS) could save more than GBP 200 M/y if general practitioners would prescribe cheaper generic drugs instead of branded...

Encouraging developments for diabetes blockbuster drug saxagliptin.
July 31, 2009... Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca won a decisive vote by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the support of its diabetes blockbuster drug saxagliptin. The FDA jury voted 10:2 that the pharmaceutical posed no elevated cardiovascular...

FDA refuses to approve new antithrombotic drug.
July 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to approve the experimental antithrombotic drug rivaroxaban despite a 15:2 vote in favour of approval by the FDA advisory committee. Bayer is distributing the drug in Europe under the name...

New drug for itching of the eye caused by allergies.
July 31, 2009... ITSA applied for the approval of Bepreve eye drops for the treatment of itching in conjunctivitis caused by allergies. The active substance bepotastin is a new chemical entity which is being examined by the advisory committee for dermatology and...

New application for approval of Cymbalta against chronic pain.
July 31, 2009... Lilly filed an application for the approval of the analgesic Cymbalta with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on a recently completed study about the drug's effectiveness for chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis; the extension of a...

Merck's cardiac drugs fails to achieve phase III targets.
July 31, 2009... Merck announced in Jun 2009 that rolofylline, a pharmaceutical for acute cardiac insufficiency, failed to achieve the primary and secondary targets of the phase III study. Rolofylline should have prevented the reabsorbtion of salt and water by...

New active substance for muscle atrophy in cancer patients.
July 31, 2009... US company GTx in Memphis, TN developed a new substance that belongs to a new category of active ingredients which achieved successful results during the first half of clinical phase II trials. The substance targets muscle atrophy in cancer...

H1N1-vaccine VLP.
July 31, 2009... VLP, a particle that is almost identical to the so-called swine flue virus, has been isolated by from an infected person in California in the US. The particles are not infections and are unable to replicate themselves, but they can cause an...

FDA approvals of new pharmaceuticals.
July 31, 2009... A table lists approvals of new pharmaceuticals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during 1H 2009. Drugs approved in Jun 2009 include Caldolor (ibuprofen), an analgesic manufactured by Cumberland Pharmaceuticals; Zipsor (diclofenac...

Merck signs contract for active substances research with Xenon.
July 31, 2009... Merck signed an agreement with Canadian company Xenon with the aim to discover and develop pharmacologically active low-molecular compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Xenon specialises in active substances research and...

Ortho Biotech and National Cancer Institute develop technologies for adoptive immunotherapy.
July 31, 2009... Johnson & Johnson's Ortho Biotech and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) signed a 5-year agreement for the joint research and development of adoptive immunotherapy technologies for the treatment of a variety of cancer diseases. Adoptive...