BMS: second chance for Vanlev

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Siemens: AcuNav advances cardiac imaging

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AHP/Bayer: Baycol unlikely to mirror fen-phen

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Actelion: Tracleer approved for pulmonary hypertension

As the first approved oral medication for PAH, the new drug is likely to be popular among treating physicians and enjoy a rapid uptake. However, while Tracleer may improve patients' symptoms, it is a far cry from a cure for PAH, leaving an effective treatment for PAH a major unmet need in the cardiovascular therapeutics market.

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Abbott/Millennium: genomics partnership advances

Obesity is a serious public health concern, costing over $100 billion a year in the US alone, and MLN4760 will complement Abbott's metabolic disease program well. It is also the first fruit of a strategic alliance to develop drugs based on genomic research. Such alliances will become increasingly important in the industry over the next few years.

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Sanofi/Organon: Arixtra approved despite safety warning

There should be a strong market for Arixtra, which is approximately 50% more effective than the gold standard therapy, Lovenox, at preventing venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing lower-limb orthopedic surgery. However, Arixtra will have to carry a black box warning due to safety concerns. This is likely to hit its rate of uptake.

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BMS: needing more than Vanlev

The US giant, which last week issued a profit warning for next year, is basing its refiling for FDA approval on a new study. Even so, Vanlev is unlikely to reach blockbuster status in the near future: the earlier withdrawal has hit its physician credibility too hard. BMS needs another way to end its woes.

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Medtronic: tightening its grip on the cardiac rhythm market

Medtronic is already by far the leading player in the cardiac rhythm market, which is worth a total of $2.1 billion in the US and Europe and is growing strongly. The two latest events should help increase Medtronic's hold on the market still further, by enabling the company to become a provider of total solutions rather than just implantable devices.

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BMS: new Pravachol approval will have little effect

Pravachol is still one of the most successful statins, due to its wide indication range and low side effect profile. This approval comes at a time when the drug is facing increased competition from generic lovastatin and AstraZeneca's third generation statin, Crestor. However, the new dosage is unlikely to have much impact in combating these threats.

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Pharmacia: seeking to deCODE pharmacogenomics

Pharmacia has followed Roche's example in teaming up with deCODE, in a deal that confirms Pharmacia's developing focus on the potential of pharmacogenomics. The company's many alliances in the field should help it launch new genomics-derived drugs, as well as cutting development costs and improving patient targeting.

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