Endo International (NSDQ:ENDP) said today that it will cut 90 full-time positions from its workforce in an effort to restructure its generics and U.S. branded pharmaceutical businesses. The company said it will invest part of the cost savings that result from its restructuring into Endo’s core products and new product development. “Last year, Endo completed […]
Johnson & Johnson’s earnings disappoint, but pharma rev climbs
Shares in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) fell this week after the company missed the consensus top-line forecasts but pulled off earnings beats for both the 4th quarter and 2016. Pharmaceutical sales grew 6.5% for the full-year to $33.5 billion, with an operational increase of 7.4%. Domestic sales climbed nearly 10% and international sales increased 1.8%. New Brunswick, […]
Report: Novartis eyes sale for Alcon lens business
Novartis (NYSE:NVS) said yesterday that it is considering selling its Alcon eye care business and will buy back up to $5 billion worth of shares over the next 12 months, in an effort to reorganize after a tough year. The company’s profits dropped -11% to $936 million in the 3 months ended Dec. 31, while sales […]
FDA OKs Medtronic trial for In.Pact Admiral DCB in renal disease
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said today that the FDA approved its investigational device exemption application for a study to evaluate its In.Pact Admiral drug-coated balloon in patients with end-stage renal disease. The Fridley, Minn.-based company said that its study will compare its DCB to plain balloon angioplasty as a treatment for failing arteriovenous fistulas. The primary efficacy endpoint […]
Biogen beats Q4 earnings, misses on full-year rev forecast
Shares in Biogen (NSDQ:BIIB) rose this week after the biopharmaceutical company met expectations on Wall Street with its 4th quarter financial results, but pegged its full-year revenue forecast lower than analysts expected. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company posted profits of $649.2 million, or $2.99 per share, on sales of $2.87 billion for the 3 months ended Dec. […]
Johnson & Johnson to pay $30B for Actelion
After weeks of exclusive negotiations, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said on Thursday that it plans to buy Swiss biotech firm Actelion (VTX:ATLN) for $30 billion in an all-cash deal. The companies have reportedly been in talks for months – Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) was also involved in discussions for Actelion, but was sidelined after J&J entered into exclusive negotiations with Actelion last […]
Microscopic submarines release drugs depending on acid concentration
Researchers have developed tiny ‘submarines’ that speed through the stomach using gastric acid for fuel. The proton-driven micromotors have a pH-sensitive polymer coating that can be loaded with drugs and released in the stomach. Gastric acid can be destructive for orally-administered, pH-sensitive pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics. Although some coatings can protect substances from gastric acid, they […]
InSitu Biologics touts preclinical data for non-opiate hydrogel painkiller
InSitu Biologics touted preclinical data for its non-opiate, hydrogel-based painkiller, AnestaGel, for use in peri-operative regional pain management. The St. Paul, Minn.-based company designs therapies using its Matrix biohydrogel material. Independent tests compared operative site injections of AnestaGel and Pacira Pharmaceutical’s (NSDQ:PCRX) Exparel. According to InSitu, the data showed that AnestaGel lasted longer and provided a […]
FDA approves 2mg Narcan nasal spray for opioid overdose treatment
Adapt Pharma said today that the FDA approved the 2mg formulation of its Narcan nasal spray for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. The 2mg dose is intended for opioid-dependent patients that are at risk for severe withdrawal, but are not at a high risk for continued opioid exposure. The approval comes 1 year after […]
Vectura wins IND for drug-device combo for pediatric asthma
Vectura said yesterday that the FDA approved an Investigational New Device application for its drug-device combination to treat asthma in children 12 months to 8 years old. The UK-based company’s device, VR647, uses the Akita Jet nebulizer for the delivery of nebulized budesonide. Vectura’s drug-device combination product provides faster delivery time and better lung deposition of budesonide, […]