WorldOne Extends Digital Footprint with Sermo
WorldOne, a global leader in healthcare insights and intelligence, acquired Sermo, the largest online community of U.S. physicians. Last year, the company launched WorldOne Interactive, a new division focused on leveraging emerging technologies and social applications to connect and engage with healthcare professionals on a global scale. This acquisition will add to WorldOne’s digital engagement capabilities with access to Sermo’s membership of 130,000 physicians and hundreds of clients as well as the online community’s crowdsourcing platform for physicians.
GsK Gets Full Ownership of Benlysta Following Acquisition
GlaxoSmithKline acquired Human Genome Sciences for approximately $3 billion net of cash and debt. The acquisition gives GSK full ownership of Benlysta, which in 2011 became the first new approved treatment for lupus in more than 50 years. GSK also gets complete ownership of albiglutide (a biological product designed to help maintain normal blood-sugar levels and to control appetite) and darapladib (an enzyme currently in Phase III trials to test its efficacy and safety in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary heart disease).
Cardiome significantly reduces Workforce
Cardiome Pharma is cutting 85% of its total number of employees following Merck’s recent decision to terminate the development efforts of the vernakalant oral program for the long-term prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence. Cardiome and Merck had been partners in the development of vernakalant. Cardiome is expected to pay up to $5 million in severance and other charges related to this workforce restructuring.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Acquires Amylin Pharmaceuticals
Bristol-Myers Squibb agreed to acquire Amylin Pharmaceuticals for approximately $5.3 billion. BMS will use this acquisition to extend its diabetes alliance with AstraZeneca by entering into collaboration arrangements for the development and commercialization of Amylin’s portfolio of products. AstraZeneca will also make a payment of approximately $3.4 billion to Amylin, following the completion of the sale.
New Leader in Generic Dermatology Medicines
Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, has completed its acquisition of specialty U.S. dermatology company Fougera Pharmaceuticals for $1.525 billion. In 2011, Fougera had net sales of $429 million. When that total is combined with Sandoz’s existing generic dermatology franchise it positions the company as the new No. 1 in generic dermatology medicines both globally and in the U.S.
Walmart Reveals New Packaging
This summer, Walmart pharmacies will be launching new medication packaging known as Shellpak Renew to help improve the experience for patients. MeadWestvaco (MWV) developed the package featuring a tear-resistant, recyclable outer carton; an easier to open, senior-friendly design; color-coded spine labels to help distinguish among drugs; and an integrated calendar for patients to easily track their medications. Shellpak Renew is based on MWV’s original Shellpak design and was developed using feedback from pharmacists and patients.
Wellness Center USA To Purchase Psoria-shield
Wellness Center USA, a healthcare and nutraceutical company, announced the signing of a share exchange agreement to acquire Psoria-Shield, a developer and manufacturer of UltraViolet (UV) phototherapy devices for the treatment of skin diseases. Psoria-Shield’s FDA approved “Psoria-Light” is the first deep UV LeD “Targeted Phototherapy” device to effectively treat psoriasis, eczema, alopecia areata, vitiligo and other ultraviolet-treatable skin diseases affecting an estimated 11% of the world population.
Exco inTouch Named Microsoft Managed Partner
Exco InTouch, a provider of mobile patient engagement, data collection and communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, has been named a Microsoft Managed Partner. Exco has been recognized by Microsoft’s Life Science team for the company’s unparalleled expertise in managing patients in regulatory and late phase clinical trials as well as in the emerging mHealth space for marketed drugs. The Managed Partner program will provide Exco with valuable resources to accelerate the adoption of its solutions in the life sciences market.
