California-based biopharmaceutical company Ruthigen and inhaled drug developer Pulmatrix have announced a definitive merger agreement under whose terms Pulmatrix will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ruthigen. According to the announcement, conversion of Pulmatrix's outstanding debt and equity securities into Ruthigen common stock will account for over 80% of … [Read more...] about Pulmatrix to merge with Ruthigen
Business
Indian patent office revokes Spiriva patent
The Indian patent office has revoked a Boehringer Ingelheim patent for Spiriva on grounds that "applicant have failed to establish any technical advancement or any economic significance of the compound Tiotropium bromide monohydrate over the disclosures of prior art" and that it is not patentable under section 3(d) of the Patents Act. The BI patent, titled … [Read more...] about Indian patent office revokes Spiriva patent
Sandoz launches AirFluSal Forspiro in Portugal and Ireland
Sandoz has launched its AirFluSal Forspiro salmeterol/fluticasone DPI for the treatment of asthma and COPD in Portugal and Ireland, the company said. AirFluSal is now available in twelve European countries, South Korea, and Mexico. The Portuguese Health Authority approved the DPI in October 2014, and Ireland approved the inhaler in November, 2014. Sandoz Head … [Read more...] about Sandoz launches AirFluSal Forspiro in Portugal and Ireland
AmpliPhi announces $13 million private placement financing
AmpliPhi BioSciences (formerly Targeted Genetics) has announced that it has raised approximately $13,000,000 in a private placement financing that it will use for three development programs. The company's lead candidate, AmpliPhage-001, is an inhaled bacteriophage for the treatment of P. aeruginosa lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. According to the … [Read more...] about AmpliPhi announces $13 million private placement financing
PMCPA reprimands Chiesi for misleading claims about Fostair
The UK's Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) has reprimanded Chiesi for a misleading and unsubstantiated claim regarding the company's Fostair beclometasone/formoterol inhaler. The authority has published advertisements in the BMJ, The Pharmaceutical Journal, and The Nursing Standard that say, "The Code of Practice Panel reported the company to … [Read more...] about PMCPA reprimands Chiesi for misleading claims about Fostair
Newly launched Turing Pharmaceuticals to develop intranasal ketamine, Syntocinon
Several months after Retrophin announced that it would divest several of its pipeline products, including Syntocinon intranasal oxytocin and intranasal ketamine, to Turing Pharmaceuticals, the latter company has officially announced its launch. Turing Pharmaceuticals is headed by Martin Shkreli, who left Retrophin suddenly after reports of "stock trading … [Read more...] about Newly launched Turing Pharmaceuticals to develop intranasal ketamine, Syntocinon
Sales of Zomig nasal spray up in 2014
Prescriptions for Zomig nasal spray increased 23% in 2014 compared to 2013, Impax Laboratories said, helping to offset a major decrease in revenues for the Impax Pharmaceuticals division after the 2013 loss of exclusivity for Zomig tablets. Revenues dropped from $113.2 million in 2013 to $47 million for 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2014, increased sales of Zomig … [Read more...] about Sales of Zomig nasal spray up in 2014
Aegis Therapeutics gets patent for intranasal formulations
Aegis Therapeutics has announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the company US Patent No. 8,927,497, which covers a method "for non-invasive delivery of anti-seizure drugs via a simple metered nasal spray" based on the company's Intravail transmucosal absorption enhancement technology. The patent, titled "Absorption enhancers for intranasal … [Read more...] about Aegis Therapeutics gets patent for intranasal formulations
Elder Pharma introduces intranasal products
Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals has announced the introduction of a line of over-the-counter "inhalers for nasal congestion." The intranasal products will be sold under the Solo brand, a range of products that also includes a pain balm, cough drops, and throat lozenges. The company said that it will target rural markets with the Solo brand. Elder Pharmaceuticals … [Read more...] about Elder Pharma introduces intranasal products
Dance Biopharm completes $9.5 million financing
Dance Biopharm has announced the completion of a $9.5 million private placement that will fund clinical trials of its Dance 501 inhaled insulin. The Phase 2 program for Dance 501 is complete, according to the company's web site, and Phase 3 trials are being planned. Earlier this month, Dance announced that it had hired Tyler Martin in the newly created position of … [Read more...] about Dance Biopharm completes $9.5 million financing