M2 Europharma articles from September 2002

M2 Europharma archives from September 2002

Bayer and GSK report positive data from trial of impotence drug.(Bayer AG and GlaxoSmithKline Plc offer new clinical data on Levitra)(Brief Article)
September 30, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceutical group Bayer AG and UK-based GlaxoSmithKline Plc have released new clinical data on their impotence drug Levitra (vardenafil). The new drug is set to compete...

Digital disposable hearing aid now available in Boots stores.(Songbird Digital)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 30, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Boots Plc, a UK health and personal care products retailer, has launched what it claims is the world's first digital disposable hearing aid, Songbird Digital. The analogue version of...

Aventis drug Actonel reduces vertebral fracture risk - study.(Europe)(Brief Article)
September 30, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Franco-German drug group Aventis SA has revealed positive results from a study of its Actonel (risedronate) drug. The study showed that postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who...

CPMP supports wider use of Novartis cancer drug Glivec. (Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products).(Brief Article)
September 27, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A European panel of experts has supported wider use of Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG's cancer drug Glivec. The Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) recommended...

Zeltia reports positive cancer drug trial results.(Brief Article)
September 27, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Spanish pharmaceutical group Zeltia has announced positive results from trials of two marine-based anti-cancer drugs being developed by its PharmaMar unit. According to Zeltia, 13...

Akzo Nobel sells Rosemont Pharmaceuticals.(Brief Article)
September 27, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Dutch chemicals group Akzo Nobel NV has divested its UK-based liquid pharmaceuticals manufacturing business, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The business was sold to Bio-Technology...

Genmab's HuMax-CD4 in combination therapy not effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.(Brief Article)
September 26, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish biotechnology company Genmab A/S has revealed results from an initial stage of the Phase II clinical trial involving 155 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. After seven...

New indication for Avapro granted US regulatory approval.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 26, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A drug jointly developed by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Synthelabo and US-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Co has been approved for a new indication in the United States. The US...

Biotie launches clinical trials of monoclonal antibody Huvap.(Brief Article)
September 26, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finnish drug development company Biotie Therapies Corp has started clinical trials with its humanized (chimeric) monoclonal antibody Huvap. According to Biotie, Huvap (vapaliximab,...

Bayer Diagnostics receives US approval for HIV test.(Brief Article)
September 25, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bayer Diagnostics, the diagnostics unit of German drugs group Bayer AG, has received US regulatory approval for a new detection system to test levels of the HIV virus in patients. ...

Celltech to start final trials of rheumatoid arthritis drug next month.(CDP870)(Brief Article)
September 25, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based biotechnology company Celltech Group Plc has said that final trials of its pioneering rheumatoid arthritis drug would begin in October 2002. Development of the drug,...

Merck and Biomira to continue trial of breast cancer vaccine.(Brief Article)
September 25, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceutical group Merck KGaA is to continue its late-stage development of a breast cancer vaccine with Canadian partner Biomira Inc. The decision to continue the Phase III...

British and Indian collaboration may lead to biotech park in Andhra Pradesh.(Brief Article)
September 24, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Science and biotechnology parks in Britain have reportedly expressed interest in collaborating with Indian partners to establish a biotech park in Andhra Pradesh, India. According to...

FDA allows AstraZeneca to state superiority of Atacand drug.(US Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
September 24, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Anglo-Swedish drug group AstraZeneca Plc has received US authorisation to state a claim about the superiority of one of its products over a competing drug. Following the US Food and...

Biosearch Italia awarded EUR6.5m grant.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 24, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Italian antibiotics developer Biosearch Italia SpA has received a EUR6.5m Innovation Technology Fund grant from the Italian Ministry of Productive Activities. The grant was awarded to...

Shire reveals delay to kidney drug approval.(Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc)(Brief Article)
September 23, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc has announced a delay to the approval of its new kidney treatment Fosrenol. Shire said that the approval process in the European Union...

AstraZeneca reveals new data on Symbicort.(asthma treatment)(Brief Article)
September 23, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD AstraZeneca Plc has unveiled data showing that adjustable dosing with its Symbicort asthma treatment provides effective asthma control using less drug overall than a fixed dosing...

Mobious Genomics granted patent on DNA analysis process.(Brief Article)
September 23, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based bionanotechnology company Mobious Genomics Ltd has been cleared to receive a European patent on a method of analysing DNA. The company has received formal notice of allowance...

Bayer Group to cut 4,700 more jobs.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 20, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceutical giant Bayer Group has said that it will cut 3.7% of its global workforce by 2005 due to the reorganisation of the group and the weakness of the world economy. ...

BioFocus and Biovitrum form drug discovery collaboration.(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based collaborative drug discovery company BioFocus Plc has entered into an agreement with Biovitrum, a Swedish biotechnology company. Under the drug discovery collaboration,...

AstraZeneca finds Seroquel effective in treating bipolar patients.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 20, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Anglo-Swedish drug group AstraZeneca Plc has revealed positive results from a trial of Seroquel as an acute mania treatment in bipolar patients. Seroquel is currently indicated for...

Roche considers making obesity drug available over-the-counter.(Roche Holding AG's Xenical)(Brief Article)
September 20, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche Holding AG is reportedly considering the possibility of selling its obesity drug Xenical as an over-the-counter product. The move would allow Xenical...

Aventis wins US approval for preservative-free paediatric influenza vaccine.(Fluzone)(Brief Article)
September 19, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Aventis Pasteur SA, part of the Franco-German pharmaceutical group Aventis SA, has received US approval for its Fluzone preservative-free paediatric-dose influenza vaccine. The ruling...

Celltech signs manufacturing deal with Biochemie.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based biotechnology company Celltech Group Plc has entered into a long-term agreement with Biochemie, an affiliate of Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis AG. Under the agreement...

Belgium's Euroscreen awarded US patent on HIV target.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Euroscreen s.a., a Belgian company specialising in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), has received a new US patent in the area of HIV infection. The patent relates to a specific...

US health authorities approve GSK's Valtrex for treating cold sores.(GlaxoSmithKline PLC)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD GlaxoSmithKline Plc, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in the UK, has received US approval for its supplemental new drug application for Valtrex caplets as a treatment for cold...

Aventis launches new antibiotic in France.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Franco-German pharmaceutical group Aventis SA has launched Ketek (telithromycin), the first in a new class of antibiotics called ketolides, in France. The drug was developed to offer...

Stockholm drug agency advises doctors to choose generic versions of Cipramil.(H. Lundbeck A/S patent runs out)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Doctors in Stockholm, Sweden have been advised by health authorities in the city to prescribe generic versions of a common anti-depressant drug. The patent on Danish pharmaceutical...

Belgium's Omega Pharma acquires MQS.(Brief Article)
September 17, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Belgian pharmaceutical products supplier Omega Pharma NV has acquired all shares in NV MQS, the largest supplier to rest homes in French-speaking Belgium. MQS has 29 employees and an...

ReNeuron to deposit human brain stem cells in UK stem cell bank.(Brief Article)
September 17, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based bio-pharmaceutical company ReNeuron Holdings Plc has said that it would like to be among the first to deposit cell lines into the new UK stem cell bank. Welcoming the...

Corin Group acquires Germany's Alphanorm Medizintechnik.(Brief Article)
September 17, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Corin Group Plc, a UK-based developer, manufacturer and distributor of reconstructive orthopaedic devices, has acquired a German orthopaedic business for EUR3.93m. Alphanorm...

US health authorities approve AstraZeneca's Arimidex for early breast cancer treatment.(United States Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Anglo-Swedish drug group AstraZeneca Plc's Arimidex (anastrozole) for the treatment of early breast cancer in post-menopausal women. ...

Axis-Shield invests GBP6m to develop diagnostic product line.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Axis-Shield Plc, an in-vitro diagnostics company based in Scotland and Norway, is to spend GBP6m to develop a next-generation diagnostic product line over the next two years. The...

US panel recommends approval of Boehringer Ingelheim's Spiriva.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A US federal panel has recommended the approval of a new drug from German company Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH for the treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary...

British Biotech Plc and MorphoSys AG hold merger discussions.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based biopharmaceuticals company British Biotech Plc has been holding exploratory merger talks with German biotechnology company MorphoSys AG. The two companies confirmed that...

MediGene completes phase I trial of cancer drug NV1020.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German-US biopharmaceutical company MediGene AG has announced the successful completion of a phase I clinical trial with its oncolytic herpes simplex virus vector, NV1020. NV1020 is a...

Altana delays launch of Roflumilast but raises sales forecast.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceuticals and chemicals group Altana AG has said that it will file for European approval of its Roflumilast respiratory drug a year later than planned, at the end of 2003....

Microscience and University of Maryland team to develop oral DNA vaccines.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based biotechnology company Microscience Ltd is to develop a new type of oral vaccine in collaboration with a US university. The University of Maryland has invented a method, called...

Obesity drug may help smokers quit and avoid weight gain.(Rimonabant)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 13, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD An experimental drug developed by France-based Sanofi-Synthelabo SA may help people give up smoking and avoid the weight gain that is often associated with quitting the habit. ...

Contraceptive patch approved in Europe.(Brief Article)
September 13, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD The European Commission has approved a new prescription birth control patch from Janssen-Cilag. The first birth control patch, EVRA (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal...

GenOdyssee announces promising trial results.(GenOdyssee SA )(Brief Article)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD French biotherapeutics company GenOdyssee SA has announced positive results from early trials of its proprietary interferon alpha variants for the treatment of hepatitis C and cancer. ...

US health authorities approve Elan drug applications.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish pharmaceutical company Elan Corp Plc has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for new versions of its Skelaxin and Zanaflex drugs. The FDA approved...

Sanofi-Synthelabo's ELOXATIN chemotherapy drug now available in the US.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Sanofi-Synthelabo, a research-based pharmaceutical group headquartered in France, has begun US distribution of its newly approved chemotherapy agent for advanced colorectal cancer. ...

Swedish biotechnology companies form industry group.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Swedish biotechnology companies have formed a new industry association that aims to attract both national and foreign investment to Sweden's biotechnology sector. SwedenBIO...

Lundbeck and Abbott form strategic alliance. (Abbott Laboratories).(Brief Article)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S and Abbott Laboratories have formed a strategic alliance for the promotion of Lundbeck's anti-depression medication Lexapro (escitalopram)....

Meda AB signs European licensing deal with Vivus Inc.(contract details)(Brief Article)
September 12, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Swedish pharmaceutical company Meda AB has signed a long-term licensing agreement with the US company Vivus Inc. Under the agreement signed by the parties Meda would have exclusive...

Lundbeck launches Ebixa in Denmark, Germany and Mexico.(Brief Article)
September 11, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S has launched its Alzheimer's disease drug Ebixa in Denmark, Germany and Mexico. Ebixa is the first in a new class of drugs for the...

Vernalis drug shown to be effective in preventing menstrual migraine.(Vernalis Group PLC)(Brief Article)
September 11, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British biopharmaceutical company Vernalis Group Plc has revealed positive results from a study of its frovatriptan migraine treatment in menstrual migraine sufferers. The Phase IV...

Patients in Genmab trial complete treatment.(Brief Article)
September 11, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish biotechnology company Genmab A/S has announced that all patients in the initial stage of the HuMax-CD4 Phase II trial for patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis have completed...

Roche agrees to sell vitamins and fine chemicals division to DSM.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 11, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche Holding AG is to sell its vitamins and fine chemicals division to DSM NV, a Dutch chemical company. The total consideration of the transaction has...

United Drug acquires Oremelt Company for EUR13.3m.(Brief Article)
September 10, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Irish healthcare services provider United Drug Plc has acquired all shares in Oremelt Company, trading as IntraVeno Healthcare and IntraPharma. The acquired company specialises in the...

Combination treatment with Roche drug helps heart failure patients, study shows.(Eucardic)(Brief Article)
September 10, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A study has shown that early treatment with a drug from Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche Holding AG, given in combination with an ACE inhibitor, can benefit patients with mild chronic...

Weston Medical to modify design of Intraject device.(Brief Article)
September 9, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK-based Weston Medical Group Plc has announced a delay in the launch of its Intraject needlefree device as a result of design modifications to the product. The modifications have...

Aventis drug may be preferable for procedure to re-establish heart rhythm.(enoxaparin)(Brief Article)
September 9, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD A trial has found that an antithrombotic drug from Franco-German pharmaceutical group Aventis SA may be preferable to standard antithrombolytic therapy for the procedure to re-establish...

Bayer submits Gamunex for regulatory approval.(Brief Article)
September 6, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG has submitted its Gamunex immune globulin intravenous product for regulatory approval in the US, Canada and Germany. Gamunex is intended for...

Novo Nordisk funds diabetes study group. (International PGR Study Group).(Brief Article)
September 5, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Denmark-based healthcare company Novo Nordisk has announced that it is funding a new diabetes study group through an unrestricted educational grant. The International PGR Study Group...

Novo Nordisk launches Novolin InnoLet in the US.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 5, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Novo Nordisk has developed a prefilled disposable insulin doser, which is designed to administer insulin easily, accurately and conveniently. Novolin InnoLet incorporates a dosing...

Novo Nordisk and Aradigm Corp launch study into diabetes treatments.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Novo Nordisk and Aradigm Corp have reportedly initiated the Phase 3 clinical programme for NN1998 - the AERx insulin Diabetes Management System (iDMS). The first Phase 3 study is...

Bayer seeks approval for its Gamimune intravenous drug.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD German pharmaceuticals and chemicals group Bayer AG has put its Gamimune intravenous drug for immune deficiencies in for regulatory approval in the US, Canada and Germany. The company...

Boots to sell its products in AS Watson stores in Hong Kong.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD UK pharmacy chain Boots Co. Plc has announced plans to expand its joint venture with pharmacy chain AS Watson in Hong Kong. Six stores in Hong Kong will now feature Boots branded areas...

Danish firms form dairy products collaboration.(Novozymes A/S and Christian Hansen Holdings A/S)(Brief Article)
September 3, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Danish biotechnology companies Novozymes A/S and Christian Hansen Holdings A/S have formed a strategic alliance to develop and market new products for the dairy industry. The two...

Once-weekly dose of Aventis osteoporosis drug cleared in Sweden.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Franco-German pharmaceutical group Aventis SA has announced that its osteoporosis drug risedronate (Actonel) has been approved in Sweden for once-weekly use under the trade name Optinate...

Orion Pharma files for US approval of combined treatment for Parkinson's disease.(Brief Article)
September 3, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Finland's Orion Pharma, a pharmaceutical division of the Orion Group, has filed a new drug application in the US for a new combined treatment for Parkinson's disease. The...

Neurotech reorganises to focus on opthalmic technologies.(management strategy)(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Retinal and other eye therapies developer Neurotech has declared that the company will focus solely on opthalmic technologies. The decision has been made due to what the company...

Bowel disease treatment from Phytopharm shows mixed results in Phase IIa trials. (P54).(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD British biotechnology company Phytopharm Plc has reported mixed results for the recent trials of its P54 bowel disease treatment. The company claims that the Phase IIa study showed...

Axis-Shield subsidiary acquires Samarit Engros.(Brief Article)
September 2, 2002... M2 EUROPHARMA-(C)1999-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD Scottish medical testing company Axis-Shield has announced its acquisition of Samarit Engros, a distributor of in vitro diagnostics, medical equipment and sundry consumables. The...