Bio/Pharma Business

Dublin, OH (Nov. 30)-Cardinal Health has announced plans to divest its Pharmaceutical Technologies and Services (PTS) segment, "a business that manufactures or packages 100 billion doses of medication every year for pharmaceutical and biotech firms, employs approximately 10,000 at more than 30 facilities worldwide and generates $1.8 billion in revenue," according to a company statement.

London (Dec. 8)-GlaxoSmithKline PLC agreed to acquire Domantis Ltd., a developer of antibodies for £230 million ($454 million) in cash.

The integrated services model is the "next big thing" in CMC and early development services.

As salaries stagnate and FDA's initiatives play a bigger role in the job environment, the pharmaceutical workforce keeps its eyes on the future.

The integrated services model is the "next big thing" in CMC and early development services.

Leverkusen, Germany (Nov. 9)?Bayer AG outlined its strategy for integrating Schering AG (Berlin) into the newly formed company, Bayer Schering Pharma. These moves follow Bayer's acquisition of Schering AG earlier this year.

South San Francisco, CA (Nov. 9)?Genentech, Inc. has agreed to acquire Tanox, Inc., for $20 per share, a total cash value of roughly $919 million. Tanox is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of biotherapeutics based on monoclonal antibody technology.

Research Triangle Park, NC (Nov. 13)-Eisai Inc. broke ground here for a new pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development facility for parenteral oncology drugs.

Abbott Park, IL (Nov. 6)-Abbott Laboratories agreed to acquire the specialty pharmaceutical company Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $3.7 billion.

St. Paul, MN (Nov. 9)-3M Co. will carve up and sell its global branded pharmaceuticals businesses for a total of $2.1 billion, the company announced this morning.

Wilmington, NC (Oct. 26)?AAIPharma Inc. has completed its acquisition of contract research organization Cvitkovic & Associes Consultants S.A.

San Antonio, TX (Nov. 1)-The opening session of the ?Pharmaceutical Technologies? track at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in San Antonio, Texas was standing room only as R. Christian Moreton, PhD, vice-president of pharmaceutical science at Idenix Pharmaceuticals, and Richard O. Mannion of Purdue Pharma discussed ?Product Development Using a Virtual Company Model.?

Mid-size regional players have little chance for success in an industry increasingly dominated by large global players.

Mid-size regional players have little chance for success in an industry increasingly dominated by large global players.

More CMOs look to proprietary delivery technologies to enhance profitability.

New York, NY (Oct. 19)-Pfizer, Inc. plans to implement a new company-wide cost-cutting initiative in 2007 as part of strategy to improve operating performance. The cuts are in addition to a previous cost-reduction program that Pfizer launched in 2005.

Langley, BC, Canada (Oct. 10)-AnorMED Inc. has determined that Genzyme's US $580 million offer to acquire all outstanding AnorMED shares at US $13.50 a share is a "superior proposal."

CPhI Worldwide, Paris (Oct. 3)-Exhibitors at CPhI Worldwide reported expansions, enhancements in technology, and new projects last week in Paris.

Kevin Sharer has become chairman of the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America upon the resignation of Peter R. Dolan.

Merck KGaA has agreed to buy a majority stake in the European biotechnology company Serono SA for CHF 16.6 billion ($13.3 billion).

Chemir Analytical Services has launched IQsynthesis, formerly known as Gateway Chemical Technology, Inc. Chemir acquired Gateway Chemical Technology, which provides custom synthesis and process development services, in May 2006.

Mid-size companies are forcing through their market positions by developing their niche competencies and their flexibilities to be recognized as serious market contenders.

The overall market size of the Southeast Asia region totals $7 billion, with a projected compound annual growth rate of about 13% through 2010.

For once, casting originators against generic players might end up strengthening the industry across the board.

Contract service providers should be concerned about the market perceptions of their performance.

The principal objective of the annual PharmSource–Pharmaceutical Technology outsourcing survey is to gauge overall business trends in the contract manufacturing and research businesses. This year's edition documents an industry that is in good health but facing a new set of dynamics.

Pharmaceutical Technology provides perspective on pharmaceutical manufacturing activity, assessing the product portfolios, prescription volumes, revenues, and capital spending plans of more than 500 drug-makers. Novartis leads in diversity, with 889 products; Pfizer leads in number of scrips (352 million) and revenue ($44 billion). And generics companies are coming up on the inside.

The laboratory supplier landscape is undergoing a radical makeover.

Cambrex Reports Loss; Advances Biosciences Business

The big question for pharmaceutical services providers coming into 2006 is: will the good times continue to roll?