November 19, 2009
Leo Pharma completes merger pact with Peplin | www.pharmabiz.com
The recent merger of Peplin with Leo pharma is of some significance and will benefit both companies. It would have been difficult for Peplin to fully develop and market their flagship product alone.
Presta Trial shows good results for Enbrel
October 14, 2009
New data from PRESTA trial demonstrate the benefit of Enbrel in patients with psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis | www.pharmabiz.com
This trial showed predicatably good results for Enbrel in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. This included improvement in signs and symptoms and quality of life. This will increase sales of Enbrel in the short term. However the two newer agents, Humira and Stelara have better efficacy, and more convenient dosing regimens. Both will be doing similar studies.
Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs
September 29, 2009
Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs | www.pharmabiz.com
Starpharma's lead product, is a vaginal microbicide gel under development for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including genital herpes and HIV infection. The VivaGel® product concept is designed to offer a safe, convenient and affordable means for women to protect themselves from infection with genital herpes and HIV during sex. Surveys show that there is substantial demand in North America and Europe for such a product with an estimated billion dollar market for STI prevention products in the developed world.
Stelara new Option for Psoriasis
September 26, 2009
Stelara Approved to Treat Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Adults | www.webmd.com
The FDA approved Stelara based on three studies of 2,266 patients who either got shots of Stelara or a placebo. Patients who got Stelara were more likely to achieve the studies' benchmark for reduction in psoriasis.In a news release, the FDA notes that because Stelara reduces the immune system's ability to fight infections, the product poses a risk of infection. "Serious infections have been reported in patients receiving the product and some of them have led to hospitalization. These infections were caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. There may also be an increased risk of developing cancer," the FDA states.
Will the withdrawl of Efalizumab effect the biologic market?
April 15, 2009
Efalizumab withdrawn from US Market | www.medscape.com
This article is important in that the withdrawal of efalizumab by Genentech was appropriate in view of its serious side effect of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This biologic agent was already declining in usage because of its other side effects, and the presence of other strong competitors with equal or higher efficacy and less side effects. This was to be compounded by the impending release of ustekinumab
A Low Cost EMR System From Wal-Mart?
March 16, 2009
Wal-Mart Plans to Market Digital Health Records System | www.nytimes.com
Wal-Mart is one of the top consumer retailers in the country. They have already entered the world of competitive, low cost health care delivery with their $4.00 generic prescriptions and their Nurse Practitioner run clinics--so becoming a warehouse for state-of-the-art electronic medical records (EMR's) is a natural progression. I see this as a great business move for Wal-Mart as they will combine their buying power with Dell's technology expertise, creating an affordable EMR system to revolutionize American medicine.
Health Care in America--An Ailing Commodity That Doctors Can't Cure
January 30, 2009
Perspectives on Health Reform, 17th January 2009 | healthaffairs.org
Fixing the health care system in America is like trying to fix the economy. We keep dumping more and more money into it, only to find ourselves going nowhere. There seems to be a renewed sense of hope with the emergence of a new administration in Washington, but there are no easy solutions. We are a country endeared to our ever increasingly expensive technology, which everyone wants, but only few can afford. We treat everyone who needs medical care, whether or not they can afford it, taking the position that hospitals and doctors will absorb the cost. Well, hospitals and yes doctors, are going out of business. Until the actual issues are looked at and tough decisions are made, we will find ourselves in a situation of a government run, nationalized health care system (ala Canada) which will set medicine in America back to the stone ages.
High End Medical Devices and Implants Are Not Immune to This Recession
January 22, 2009
Medical devices not immune to recession worries | www.boston.com
As America faces one of the worst recessions in history, all businesses suffer, including the health care industry. With the steady rise of unemployment, more and more people are losing their jobs, and with it their health insurance. This has a direct impact on medical device companies, as non-emergent surgical procedures and services are put off as long as possible, thus limiting the usage of their products.
Aurobindo terbinafine approval- what effect will this have?
January 21, 2009
Aurobindo Pharma gets approval for Terbinafine Tablets | myiris.com
This article is important in that it confirms another terbinafine competitor to the Novartis Lamisil brand is being released. The majority of terbinafine prescriptions in North America are generic. The market for this product will be good at least until more effective oral or topical agents are released. The majority of the prescriptions are for onychomycosis (toenail fungus). The newer products will be released in 3-4 years, at which time the market for terbinafine will shrink significantly.
Mentor/J&J deal is long overdue
December 3, 2008
Johnson & Johnson buys medical device maker | www.nytimes.com
The purchase of implant manufacturer, Mentor Corporation, by Johnson and Johnson will level the playing field as Mentor seeks to take market share from Allergan in both the breast implant business as well as facial fillers and competitors to Botox.
What is potential future for Sequenom in prenatal testing.
November 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
Express Scripts feeling Growing Pains
October 29, 2009
CDC Outlines H1N1 Test Guidelines
October 8, 2009
Why Health Care Costs Keep Rising—And What to Do About It
September 13, 2009