News in brief

WR Grace’s acquisition of Synthetech approved by US Bankruptcy Court

19-Oct-2010 - Industrial catalysis firm WR Grace has been OKed to acquire fine chemicals group Synthetech by the US Bankruptcy Court.

News in brief

Sanofi to cut 1,700 US jobs

11-Oct-2010 - Sanofi Aventis says eliminating 1,700 jobs in US will help it concentrate resources on business development, investment in late-stage development projects and will position it for growth after patent expiry.

Sanofi launches hostile Genzyme bid; Pfizer close on Uplyso Brazil deal

04-Oct-2010 - French drugmaker Sanofi Aventis has tabled an $18.5m, $69 per share, hostile takeover bid for Genzyme after failing to secure an amicable acquisition.

News in brief

Lupin hold majority stake in Generic Health

30-Sep-2010 - Lupin has notified the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that is has acquired a majority stake in Australian pharmaceutical company, Generic Health.

DSM seeks Asian partners; welcomes J&J Crucell takeover

23-Sep-2010 - DSM aims to keep pace with the rapid evolution of pharmaceutical sector through increased partnering and a focus on Asia.

Solvay integration will cost manufacturing jobs, says Abbott

22-Sep-2010 - Abbott Laboratories says it will shed manufacturing jobs as part integration of the pharmaceutical business it bought from Solvay earlier this year.

Actavis looks to enter biosimilars through acquisition

08-Sep-2010 - Actavis is looking to enter the biosimilars sector through the proposed acquisition of a stake in Biopartners.

Genzyme rejects Sanofi’s $18.5bn bid; IPT looks at biotech’s turbulent 18-months

31-Aug-2010 - Genzyme has rejected Sanofi-Aventis' $18.5bn (€14.5bn) takeover bid, describing it as offering no improvement in price on the previous proposal and failing “to establish a basis for engagement.”

Changes to India’s pharma imports & exports, visualised

30-Aug-2010 - Proposed changes to compulsory licensing and foreign ownership oversight in India sparked discussion last week. To explore the topic, in-PharmaTechnologist presents interactive charts detailing market changes in the country over the past 15 years.

Lonza buys Vivante to expand custom biologics biz

30-Aug-2010 - Lonza buys viral-based biologics maker Vivante GMP Solutions to broaden custom manufacturing offering.

Changes to India’s pharma imports & exports, visualised

30-Aug-2010 - Proposed changes to compulsory licensing and foreign ownership oversight in India sparked discussion last week. To explore the topic, in-PharmaTechnologist presents interactive charts detailing market changes in the country over the past 15 years.

News in brief

Sanofi goes public on $18.5bn bid for “unwilling” Genzyme

30-Aug-2010 - Sanofi Aventis has gone public with its $18.5bn (€14.5bn) takeover bid for US biotech Genzyme, putting more pressure on firm’s “unwilling” board

Amcor: Alcan costs cut profits; but pharma flexibles unit boosts sales

26-Aug-2010 - The Flexibles packaging unit acquired in Alcan Packaging deal boost sales, but integration costs hit fiscal 2010 net profit at Australia’s Amcor.

India ponders compulsory licensing revisions to cut prices

25-Aug-2010 - India is considering strengthening compulsory licensing provisions, which allow third parties to produce patented products, in response to concerns about overseas takeovers and drug prices.

News in brief

Cipla to buy Meditab for $28m

25-Aug-2010 - Indian pharmaceutical firm Cipla is to buy Meditab Specialties to boost active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and intermediate production capacity.

Imclone closes US Erbitux plant

18-Aug-2010 - Imclone has closed the manufacturing facility in Branchburg, New Jersey where it produces the cancer drug Erbitux, according to reports in the US media.

Merck to buy back Riverside plant for key API supply

11-Aug-2010 - US drugmaker Merck & Co has announced plans to reacquire a Pennsylvania manufacturing plant to guarantee supply of key active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Endo to buy Penwest for Opana ER tech

10-Aug-2010 - Endo Pharmaceuticals will pay $168m (€127.7m) for drug delivery tech and formulations firm Penwest Pharmaceuticals in bid to expand pain portfolio.

US patients call for Fabrazyme patent break; Are you watching Sanofi?

03-Aug-2010 - Calls for US government to break Genzyme’s Fabrazyme patents accompany more speculation that French drugmaker Sanofi Aventis is in takeover talks.

Bilcare to boost EU and US access with €100m Ineos Films buy

03-Aug-2010 - Bilcare to buy Ineos’ rigid polymer films business for €100m ($132m) to improve access to pharmaceutical packaging customers worldwide.

News in brief

Heinkel boosts separation offering with Comber buy

02-Aug-2010 - Heinkel expands pharmaceutical filtering and drying systems business with acquisition of Italian equipment maker Comber.

Guest article

Pharma consolidation and the downstream impact on CROs

29-Jul-2010 - Significant biopharm consolidation has played a key role in reshaping the drug development sector. Viq Pervaaz, senior vice president at Aon Consulting, discusses the changes and how they will impact on contract research organizations (CRO).

Colorcon builds coating biz with Indian buy

27-Jul-2010 - Colorcon will buy Indian group Pharmaceuitcal Coatings to expand both its tablet film coating business and presence in “rapidly growing” pharmaceutical market.

Constantia buys Tobepal from Amcor

22-Jul-2010 - Austria’s Constantia Packaging will pay Amcor €92m ($118m) for its Spanish Tobepal flexible packaging business.