Consort Medical, parent company of device developer and manufacturer Bespak, reports "strong volume growth" for Bespak's inhaler business for the six months ending October 31, 2011. Bespak revenues were up 17% from 2010, with operating profits up 24%. The company also announced a new contract for a nicotine delivery device to be distributed by a subsidiary of British … [Read more...] about Bespak reports growth in 2011, deal for nicotine delivery device
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Acacia Research acquires inhaler technology
Acacia Research, a California company frequently described as a "patent troll," says that it has acquired 13 patents for inhaler technology from "a major medical company." Company CEO Paul Ryan said, “Acacia continues to increase the number of patent portfolios we control in the medical technology sector.” The type of inhaler covered by the patents was not … [Read more...] about Acacia Research acquires inhaler technology
Bloomberg highlights changes in GSK respiratory drug research
Bloomberg has published an article about GSK's overhaul of its R&D organization that describes former head of the allergic inflammation discovery performance unit Roberto Solari as "one of the casualties of the company’s new approach to drug discovery." According to the article, a spokesperson for GSK confirmed that Solari, whom the author describes as "an unassuming … [Read more...] about Bloomberg highlights changes in GSK respiratory drug research
AstraZeneca challenges New Zealand government agency over Symbicort co-pays
AstraZeneca has asked the New Zealand High Court to review a decision by Pharmac, the government drug purchasing agency, to reduce its subsidy for the Symbicort Turbuhaler to achieve pricing parity with GSK's Seretide (Advair) Diskus inhaler. Since the imposition of parity pricing, new patients in New Zealand have had to pay a minimum $3 co-payment (about $2.30 in US … [Read more...] about AstraZeneca challenges New Zealand government agency over Symbicort co-pays
Michael J. Fox Foundation awards grant for development of inhaled L-dopa
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has awarded a grant to Civitas Therapeutics to support development of the company's lead product, CVT-301, an inhaled levodopa (L-dopa) formulation for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson's disease. CVT-301 is a carrier-free dry powder formulation based on Civitas's proprietary Arcus particle … [Read more...] about Michael J. Fox Foundation awards grant for development of inhaled L-dopa
Eisai to co-promote Novartis COPD drugs in Japan
Tokyo-based Eisai will co-promote three Novartis inhaled COPD therapies in Japan with Novartis Pharma K.K. Starting on December 1, 2011, both companies will promote Onbrez indacaterol inhalation capsules, with Novartis targeting flagship and university hospitals and Eisai focusing on general hospitals and clinicians. Onbrez was launched in Japan in September 2011. … [Read more...] about Eisai to co-promote Novartis COPD drugs in Japan
Single batch of Omnaris nasal spray recalled in Hong Kong
According to the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH), Nycomed (Hong Kong) has voluntarily recalled a batch of Omnaris ciclesonide nasal spray due "a quality defect." The product, from batch number 137930, was manufactured in Germany by Nycomed Gmbh in August 2010. The DH says that it was notified by Nycomed Gmbh that it had found pinholes in some of the foil … [Read more...] about Single batch of Omnaris nasal spray recalled in Hong Kong
Mylan gets Pfizer’s respiratory delivery platform, acquires global rights to generic Diskus products
US generics company Mylan Inc. has obtained worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Pfizer's generic equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline's Advair Diskus and Seretide Diskus products for asthma and COPD using Pfizer's proprietary dry powder inhalation technology. Pfizer will also allow Mylan to develop and commercialize other DPI products using the … [Read more...] about Mylan gets Pfizer’s respiratory delivery platform, acquires global rights to generic Diskus products
Catalent joins IPAC-RS
CRO Catalent Pharma Solutions has joined the International Pharmaceutical Aerosol Consortium on Regulation and Science (IPAC-RS), a consortium of companies involved in the development, manufacture, and marketing of OINDPs, whose mission is "to advance scientifically driven approaches to enhancing product quality of inhaled and intranasal drug products." Other IPAC-RS … [Read more...] about Catalent joins IPAC-RS
Novartis warns of delays in US approval process for NVA237 and QVA149
In its third quarter results for 2011, Novartis announced that, "In the US, NVA237 will require additional clinical data to support submission and thus will be delayed." Furthermore, the company warned, "The changes to the US NVA237 program will similarly impact approval timing for QVA149 in the US where additional clinical studies will be required. The QVA149 … [Read more...] about Novartis warns of delays in US approval process for NVA237 and QVA149