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A recent gathering of science journalists in Qatar was treated to a look at the dark side of trend.

GlaxoSmithKline signed a long-term agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency to help detect emerging performance-enhance drugs in sport.

Two Thai agencies have signed a strategic research collaboration agreement to focus on drug discovery using nanotechnology.

Canada and UK will work together to strengthen collaboration between the biotechnology sectors in the two nations.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will make an undisclosed up-front cash payment for the initiation of the first target in the collaboration plus committed research funding to PTC.

The purpose of the discovery programs is to identify new compounds with anti-inflammatory potential to be developed for respiratory conditions characterized by a high unmet medical need such as COPD and cystic fibrosis.

A survey finds that American voters embrace a continued federal commitment to biotechnology priorities such as research dedicated to finding alternative sources of energy, life-saving medicines and cures.

The Ontario-India programme has now called for proposals for collaborative projects with a view to develop innovative products and products, especially in the life science and medical devices sectors.

Proteros will provide protein crystallization and X-ray structural analysis services that complement AMRI’s existing drug discovery capabilities.

This collaborative effort provides an opportunity for present and future partnerships between the United States and Italy, and will unite their respective Life Sciences communities and tremendous bases of scientific talent.

Drugs becoming cheaper as of 1 July include Pfizer's Liptor and Xanax medications, used to treat high cholesterol and anxiety disorders respectively, and Merck's Januvia, which is used to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Janssen will transfer ongoing efforts on selected drug discovery targets to Jubilant. Jubilant will carry out research services and deliver preclinical candidates to Janssen.

Under terms of the deal Flamel will primarily be responsible for formulation and process development, with Digna shouldering preclinical and clinical development activities.

This project was initiated in October 2009 and the two firms will continue this research collaboration until April 2012.

Under the initial three-year term, Evotec and Roche will conduct multiple biomarker programs for therapeutic antibodies or small molecule inhibitors.

BioMarin will acquire a bulk biologics manufacturing plant from Pfizer for $48.5 million. The deal is expected to close around September.

The initiative will promote healthy individuals, families and communities by identifying and supporting the most promising solutions to challenge health problems.

Fujifilm and Mitsubishi have signed an agreement for biopharma contract manufacturing.

Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. said Monday it completed its $2.9 billion purchase of American Medical Systems Inc., a leading pelvic-health device provider.

More than 400,000 Australians will benefit from 13 subsidised medicines from September.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi has an option to license technology rights from Audion related to research conducted under the collaboration.

Lundbeck expects to file its alcoholism drug nalmefene in Europe following positive results from the final trial in the drug's Phase III clinical programme.

A report says the poorest countries in the world have an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment in the pharmaceutical sector.

The recalls stem from two consumer reports of an uncharacteristic odor thought to be caused by trace amounts of TBA.

The agreement gives Boehringer Ingelheim global development and commercialisation rights to ZP2929, Zealand Pharma's lead glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist drug candidate.

Takeda claims patent infringement by the 18 defendants companies and seeks provisional injunctions to prevent them from infringing its patents by manufacturing and selling generic products of ACTOS.

After reviewing data from a clinical trial, the FDA says it is changing the labeling on Chantix to incorporate new cautionary language for patients with heart disease.

AstraZeneca is planning to set up a Predictive Science Center in St. Petersburg in 2012 to strengthen its investments in Russia.

The transaction will give Qiagen access to a range of assays covering 15 biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of blood cancers.

Pfizer began its court proceedings in Virginia on Wednesday to try to extend its patent on the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

GSK and Arecor will work to develop new approaches that could offer significant improvements to the administration of several vaccines in development.

The two companies will also collaborate on the development of multi-layer films with improved product characteristics to be employed in single-use bioreactors. The first product innovations from are expected in approximately one year.

Eli Lilly and Co. has signed a deal with Synthes to co-promote the bone drug Forteo and develop other potential orthopedic treatments.

FDA says the number of drug shortages has nearly tripled over the last six years, jumping from 61 drug products in 2005 to 178 in 2010.

Sanofi-Aventis chief executive Chris Viehbacher has warned that Canadian pharmaceutical companies need more comprehensive patent protection.

Merck Serono will have worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialise selected compounds. The contract also includes a research collaboration focusing on P2X7 antagonist optimisation.

Under the terms of the alliance, Quintiles will make an undisclosed investment in Kareus through an equity investment and access to clinical service on a shared-risk basis.

The UK's promise for more funding follows last week's announcement that major pharmaceutical companies would make cuts to the prices of their vaccines in the developing world.

Hovione and Particle Sciences Inc have inked a collaboration deal to speed development projects targeting poorly water-soluble drugs.

Celerion's several facilities have been approved by the Brazilian regulators to enter the Brazilian market.

Bachem would successfully conclude the integration of fine chemicals firm Sochinaz into the group as of June 30.

Covidien has hired JP Morgan to handle the potential sale of its drugs business, and the deal could be worth up to $4 billion.

GSK's offer has been made in response to a UNICEF request for rotavirus vaccines. If accepted, large scale vaccination against rotavirus could begin later this year.

Pfizer is planning another $1 billion in cost reductions by 2012. The initiative appears to be aimed at reducing administrative duplications in New York City and worldwide.

AustarPharma will use its proprietary technologies to develop and manufacture products for Amerigen to commercialize in the United States and other territories.

The two companies plan to combine Pfenex’s Reagent Proteins product offerings in the area of vaccine components with SAFC’s expertise and facilities for bioconjugation to support development of conjugate vaccines.

Elite Pharmaceuticals has signed a commercial manufacturing and supply pact with Mikah Pharma.

Several drugs companies are to cut the prices of their vaccines in the developing world.

Teva has settled a patent lawsuit brought by Pfizer Inc. over a drug for treating seizures and pain caused by shingles.

This investment will establish a dedicated GMP lab to provide a range of analytical development and quality control testing services.

Under the agreement, the two companies will conduct a Phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination.

The two companies aim to strengthen the ability to reach more patients with high-quality and low-cost medicines in the branded generics arena.

Evotec said the transaction would substantially augment its early drug discovery, provide critical mass to its existing compound management offering, and add profitable revenues.

The Merck Bioethics Advisory Panel will provide the company with recommendations on how to take bioethical aspects into account when discovering and developing new products and processes.

Specialty chemical company Ashland plans to acquire chemical manufacturer International Specialty Products in a $3.2 billion all-cash deal.

Bayer HealthCare will relocate its production of blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Betaseron to Germany for greater flexibility in the marketplace.

Johnson & Johnson plans to seek approval for 11 new drugs by 2015 as it revives its pharmaceuticals business.

Emergent has delivered more than 42 million doses of BioThrax to the US Government, and more than ten million doses have been administered to military personnel.

Pharmascience, the largest generic pharmaceutical company in Quebec, announced last Friday the acquisition of Aegera Therapeutics Inc., a Montreal-based clinical-stage biotechnology company.

The growth rate of pharma exports from India to Italy in the recent past has been below 10 per cent and the joint working group. The working group will boost the exports through closer cooperation.

Intercell AG is recalling batch JEV09L37 of vaccine Ixiaro throughout the EU. The CHMP recommends that revaccination with a different batch should be considered.

Pfizer has selected Boston-based Parexel, and Dublin, Ireland-based Icon, as its two preferred CROs for the provision of clinical development and trials services.

Watson Pharmaceuticals has purchased privately-held Greek multinational Specifar Pharmaceuticals which comes in fifth in its home country's branded generics market.

It is reported that the UK's third largest pharmaceutical firm could make a $2bn bid for US-based Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

The alliance will combine Proteostasis’ discovery technology, novel targets and compounds that modulate key Proteostasis Network pathways with Elan’s strength in proprietary animal models, biology, medicinal chemistry and clinical development...

The study indicates that many young adults are at risk of developing heart disease, but are unaware that they have hypertension.

This acquisition is a strategic move into gastrointestinal diagnostics,' says Luis Cantarell, CEO of Nestlé Health Science.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. will acquire a Lithuanian specialty pharmaceutical company in a two-stage deal worth $441.3 million.

GSK has formed a new partnership with three NGOs to deliver its reinvestments to improve health outcomes by supporting frontline health workers in LDCs.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo will co-promote denosumab after it is approved for use in Japan.

The court's decision would prevent Apotex from bringing its generic version of the drug to market prior to the Patanol patent expiration in 2015.

Eli Lilly and private investors Care Capital and NovaQuest Capital agreed to jointly create a biotechnology company to focus on Lilly's severe sepsis drug Xigris.

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. will acquire India-based generic drugmaker Edict Pharmaceuticals for up to $37.6 million.

The California companies are developing 188 of 887 drugs for more than 20 types of cancer and 55 of 299 medicines for heart disease and stroke.

The decision was taken because serious and sometimes fatal neurological and cardiac side effects, mainly related to accidental or intentional overdose, continued to occur.

Nycomed's significant business infrastructure in Europe and high-growth emerging markets are expected to enhance Takeda's regulatory development expertise and commercialization capability.

Bill Gates and his foundation calls on leaders to increase investment in vaccines and immunisation to make vaccines affordable for poor countries.

Dalton Pharma Services announced that it has entered into a manufacturing services agreement with Zafgen Inc.

BMS will have a first right to negotiate a licensing agreement on certain RNAi products developed by Tekmira that result from gene targets validated by BMS.

Goodwin Biotechnology and RAFAGEN jointly announced their collaborative agreement for cell line engineering and biological contract manufacturing.

Over the next five years, the emerging markets are expected to nearly double their spending on medicines, to $285-315 billion, compared with $151 billion in 2010.

Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is about to acquire Taiyo Pharmaceutical Industry, the third largest generic drug producer in Japan.

The two companies will apply large-scale genomic analyses to test clinical hypotheses and correlate biomarkers of disease prognosis and drug responsiveness.

The IMI launches its second wave of research projects including cancer, immune-mediated diseases, infectious disorders and electronic health.

The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation to assess an agreement between Cephalon and Teva.

Drugmaker Amylin said it is suing Eli Lilly, alleging Lilly violated their alliance by teaming up with Boehringer Ingelheim.

According to the ban came into force from May 1, a company needs to demonstrate its efficacy and safety through traditional use for at least 30 years of which 15 years should be within EU. The new guideline mandates registration of a herbal medicine.

BioFocus has signed a collaboration agreement with Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma focused on discovering novel targets in the field of CNS disorders.

The facility will provide support, training and validation services to EMD Millipore’s biopharma customers with operations in China.

The alliance will combine BCRI’s leadership in clinical strategy, study planning and academic relationships with ICON’s experience in the execution of global clinical trials.

The drug is the first to be approved in Switzerland for treating subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA).

Cancer Research UK has selected the UK-based API manufacturer to develop the chemistry and perform the GMP synthesis of the API for use in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

The partnership allows both parties to offer their clients a platform to 100% human monoclonal antibody ready for clinical trials.

French pharmaceutical group Sanofi-Aventis has abandoned its double-barreled name it acquired along with Aventis in 2004.

Alkermes Inc. said Monday it will merge with Elan Drug Technologies in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $960 million.

Impax said the lawsuit alleges its generic violates patents belonging to Alza supporting Concerta tablets of 18 milligrams, 27 milligrams and 36 milligrams.

The new facilities have been inspected and approved for use by the UK regulatory authority and have been awarded Supplementary Accreditation.

Bristol-Myers Squibb has initiated a voluntary recall of Coumadin crystalline 5mg tablets used to treat or prevent blood clots.

INC Research has inked a $232 million deal to acquire Kendle, a publicly traded company based in Cincinnati that ranks among the top 10 contract research organizations.

UK-based contract manufacturing organisation SCM has secured a sterile filling and packaging project with Italian Molteni Therapeutics.

Under the terms of the settlement, Merck Serono will pay $44.3m to the US government.

India's biotech industry is expected to swell to $10 billion in 2015.

Oxford BioMedica has expanded its 5T4 tumor antigen therapeutics collaboration with Pfizer.

Argentina has assured India that it would solve the issue of restrictions on finished pharmaceutical products from India to Argentina.

The global orthopedics industry has an annual growth rate of about 5% to 7% and approached $30 billion in 2010.

Akorn Inc. said it will buy Massachusetts ophthalmic company Advanced Vision Research Inc. for $26 million.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a judgment in its favor concerning its litigation over Dipharma's manufacture and sale of Fexofenadine HCl.

The combined company will have complementary commercial, R&D and operational capabilities and will provide a broad spectrum of specialty branded products.

Grifols has agreed to the sale of select assets and has entered into certain commercial, lease and manufacturing agreements with the Italian company Kedrion for as many as seven years.

The screening programme is to improve the efficiency of the FDA's monitoring and surveillance of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Althea will fill commercial drug products to supply the U.S. market.

Omnicare Clinical Research has been acquired by Nautic Partners, LLC, a private equity firm based in Providence, R.I.

The new CIT-LAB group will have consolidated sales of $103 million and 830 staff across five sites in France, Canada, Denmark and Hungary.

Under the agreement, Integra will become an RxTrials partner research site and the partnership will enhance their collective capacity to conduct industry-sponsored clinical research.

J&J will merge Synthes with its DePuy operations, creating an organization that would own nearly 28 percent of the orthopedic device market.

Each partner will contribute its products and equally share costs related to the study.

Medtronic Inc. said Tuesday that it is working with Eli Lilly & Co. on a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Akebia announced that it has closed a Series B financing totaling $22 million.

The approval was based on results from a Phase II trial and three Phase III trials in more than 3,300 infants that received Menactra vaccine using a two-dose schedule.

Bayer will manufacture the bulk drug substance at its Berkeley, CA clinical manufacturing center to support Phase I testing, which expected to begin in 2012.