Ovation Pharmaceuticals' Sabril recommended by FDA panel despite reports of visual field defect

Ovation Pharmaceuticals has announced that an FDA advisory committee has voted unanimously to recommend Sabril (vigabatrin) for the treatment of two severe forms of epilepsy. If approved, Sabril will be the first FDA-approved monotherapy for infantile spasms. However, low historic uptake in the EU and concerns regarding visual field defects suggest that the drug's commercial prospects are limited.

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Plastic cards: Irish transaction value less than a tenth of Spain's

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Portas Pilot town tweeters silenced

UK towns participating in Mary Portas's TV series to showcase government investment in the regeneration of high streets have been asked to sign contracts ensuring social media silence over the period of filming. In contrast, in Ireland social media is playing a key role in community regeneration.

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Pub habits: giving the Irish something to celebrate

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Quinn Direct: forced market exit presents opportunities for competitors

Following concerns about its solvency raised by the Irish Financial Regulator, the High Court in Ireland has forced Quinn Insurance to stop writing new UK business. This will create potential growth areas for new or existing players, especially within the UK private and commercial motor insurance market, as well as the UK liability insurance market, where the Irish group has a strong foothold.

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Ryanair: fight back not pay back

The European Commission has ruled that some of the subsidies Ryanair [RYA.L] received from a Belgian airport are illegal. The decision could threaten low-cost airlines' deals with regional airports and affect Ryanair's own expansion plans. Furthermore, it could become a weapon in the hands of high fare airlines to obstruct competition in Europe.

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Ryanair: flying high profits

Ryanair made record profits last year by providing a cheaper alternative to the larger airlines, addressing the market for cheap flights to popular destinations. The record profits, in sharp contrast to BA's announcement of its largest losses since privatization, show that there is still money to be made in the airline business.

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Ryanair: soaring profits

Low cost airline Ryanair has announced record Q1 profits. The Ireland-based airline has been unaffected by the troubles which have afflicted many traditional flag carrying airlines and has, along with other low cost pioneers, helped to completely change the airline business model. However, in the long term, European railways may be the real losers.

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Schering-Plough/Centocor: wider Remicade indication

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Shell: Irish forecourt exit reflects wider European exodus

Intensifying competition in the Irish fuel retailing market has seemingly prompted Shell to announce its departure from the country, hot on the heels of its exit from several other European markets. With Shell apparently set to focus its future downstream operation on emerging Asian markets, a trend could yet emerge whereby the oil majors quit Europe's forecourts altogether.

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