GLG News by Medical Tourism Experts

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

Good and Bad From Astellas Joint Venture With Maxygen

July 5, 2009

Analysis of:Astellas Announces Joint Venture with Maxygen to Develop Protein Pharmaceuticals | www.pipelinereview.com

I read this news with great interest. This joint venture called (MPC) will advance Maxy 4 development program for rheumatoid arthritis and transplant rejection. Maxygen & Astellas  are committing $ 10 million each for this joint venture. Since I have worked with Astellas (Yamanouchi) and based on my experience, I think this joint venture (JV) is good for shareholders of Maxygen and Astellas but bad for Maxygen employees. I think Maxygen will shift programs and assets to other companies and it's R&D operations and personnel will go to this new JV with Astellas. This will leads to layoff form financial, administrative, corporate and support departments. This press release did not said when and how many pink slips will be handed out. .I think This strategy is already working based on Maxygen stock closed on July 1 at $7.17 up $0.45 (6.7%).  

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

Efalizumab Withdrawn Due to Serious Side Effect

April 16, 2009

Analysis of:Efalizumab withdrawn from US Market | www.medscape.com

I read with great interest that Genentech, the maker of Raptiva (Efalizumab) to treat psoriasis, has begun a voluntary, phased withdrawal of the drug from the U.S. market. The drug is not being withdrawn immediately to give physicians and patients taking Raptiva time to safely and appropriately discontinue treatment. Because it's possible that abruptly discontinuing Raptiva may cause a severe flare of psoriasis, As a pharmaceutical consultant and pharmacist, I think phase withdrawal is a good approach. Overall I do not think this withdrawal will have long term impact on other biologic products in US and world.Genentech estimates that approximately 2,000 patients in the United States may currently be receiving Raptiva for chronic plaque psoriasis. Since FDA approval in 2003, approximately 46,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Raptiva.

Aemad AslamPresidentMindPharma

Thriving in a time of adversity - Sun Pharma pounces on shortage by getting approval on Oxycodone

April 13, 2009

Analysis of:Sun Pharma gets USFDA's nod to market painkillers | www.hindu.com

Sun Pharma can greatly benefit from the nationwide shortage of Oxycodone Immediate Release Tablet, by getting approval from the FDA on their own generic. With recent recalls from different manufacturers, and the shortage of a comparable product Morphine Sulphate, the FDA currently estimates that return to normal supply levels of Oxycodone may occur in approximately 2 months, during which time Sun Pharma can capitalize on the shortage by securing longer term contracts with wholesalers.

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

Various Generic Topiramate Tablets Approved by FDA

March 31, 2009

Analysis of:Ranbaxy, Aurobindo get US FDA nod for epilepsy drug | economictimes.indiatimes.com

As a Pharmaceutical consultant and pharmacist I read this article with great interest since prices Topiramate will further reduced due to additional generic company. Topamax® is very useful drug for the treatment of adult and pediatric Epilepsy. On September 2006, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Topiramate Tablets, 25mg, 100mg and 200mg On March 28, 2009, Various companies (Teva, Sun, Ranbaxy) will market its version of the Topiramate tablets, the medicine in Topamax, in dosages of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg. Annual sales of Topamax(R) were approximately $2.4 billion in the United States for the twelve months that ended December 30, 2008, based on IMS sales data.

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

No Bidding War For CV Therapeutics From Astellas

March 17, 2009

Analysis of:Astellas to Terminate Offer for CV Therapeutics | www.pipelinereview.com

I read this news with great interest since I have worked with Astellas (Yamanouchi). Based on my experience with Astellas I am not surprise that Astellas did not increase prices (although Astellas had so much to gain from a merger with CV) due the these reasons: * Astellas (as a Japanese company) is a disciplined acquirer * $20 per share offer from Gilead, which values the company at around $1.4 billion is too expensive for Astellas * Astellas now needs to look elsewhere in order to find a company or products * Astellas will follow other Japanese drug companies like Takeda and Eisai

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

Multivitamin Supplements can not prevent Cancer or Heart Disease.

March 12, 2009

Analysis of:Multivitamins: Fact or Fiction | www.usatoday.com

As a pharmaceutical consultant, I read this article with great interest. Overall this article support my thinking that multivitamin supplements can not prevent Cancer or Heart Disease due to these reasons: Our Daily requirements of Multivitamins supplements are very low and food is the best source of vitamins and minerals is from our body Multivitamins should be used as part of an overall healthy lifestyle Despite many health warnings, the quest for the right multivitamin still uncontrollable.

Aemad AslamPresidentMindPharma

Aurobindo Pharma's Escitalopram will be a big mover ... when it comes out in 2011

March 5, 2009

Analysis of:Aurobindo Pharma receives tentative approval for Escitalopram | www.indiainfoline.com

Forest's Lexapro commands a $2.5+ billion USD market share, just in the US.  Due to such a high volume of the brand product, Aurobindo's tentative approval on Lexapro's generic Escitalopram will be a great opportunity - primarily if they can procure a 6 month period of exclusivity from the FDA.  Additionally, despite being a brand name product, Lexapro holds an 8%+ year over year increase in the past 3 years.  Hence, the market for the drug in September of 2011 when the patent runs out will be closer to a $3 billion market.                

Aemad AslamPresidentMindPharma

Teva's Generic Imitrex commands market of Sumatriptan

February 26, 2009

Analysis of:Teva Announces Approval and Launch of Generic Imitrex(R) Tablets | www.pipelinereview.com

With the 180 day exclusivity, Teva is already commanding the market of the generic Imitrex - Sumatriptan oral tablets.  Teva maintains an AB rating of the generic that will render most insurance companies to push brand name Imitrex by GlaxoSmithKline to a non-formulary tier, skyrocketing the generic's sales.  Already, different wholesalers are reporting a backorder on Teva's generics.  Additionally, Teva's pricing point is very favorable to itself, despite Dr Reddy's prior entrance.

Kuldeepak SharmaPresident/Pharmaceutical ConsultantDr. Kuldeepak Sharma

Indian pharmaceutical Companies Are Attractive For Multinational Companies

February 24, 2009

Analysis of:Pharma cos on lookout for Indian drug firms | economictimes.indiatimes.com

As a pharmaceutical consultant, working with various clients in India and here, I think Indian pharmaceutical companies are attractive for acquisitions by Multinational Companies due to these reasons: * Their relatively low valuation compared to firms elsewhere * India's massive internal market * Multinational Companies has few patented drugs in the market and       generic market is growing in USA.

Aemad AslamPresidentMindPharma

Acquisitions of Indian Pharma on the extended horizon by Brand name pharma

February 23, 2009

Analysis of:Pharma cos on lookout for Indian drug firms | economictimes.indiatimes.com

Acquisitions of various Indian generic pharmaceuticals is likely on the horizon for brand name manufacturers.  However, this is not an immediate concern.  I would see more consolidations in the US and other Western markets first. 

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