Skin cancer: gene discovery raises cure hopes

Scientists have discovered a faulty gene that is present in 70% of skin tumors. The research has raised hopes that new therapies will soon become available. However, the complexity of tumor genetics and the drug development process mean that it will be some time before patients and pharma companies benefit from the discovery.

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Shire: merger paying off, despite pipeline problems

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Shell: wireless may bring more than just savings

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Servier: Protos shows dual action in osteoporosis

The trial results suggest that Protos may offer significant improvements over currently marketed osteoporosis therapies, rebuilding bone as well as preventing decline. If the five-year data backs this study up, the potential for Servier's drug will be strong. However, the competition from Lilly's Forteo and Evista will be fierce enough to hold Protos back outside France.

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Sepracor: Estorra won't keep rivals awake at night

Sepracor has filed a New Drug Application with the FDA for Estorra as a treatment for insomnia. However, the drug is likely to receive a low uptake because of a lack of marketing power. Instead, Sanofi-Synthelabo's Ambiem (zolpidem) and Neurocrine/Pfizer's upcoming drug indiplon look set to battle for US market supremacy.

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Scios: old trial results won't help Natrecor

The results are unlikely to have much effect on Natrecor sales. Scios' first marketed drug has met with a skeptical reaction following its US launch last year, and EU approval is far from guaranteed. Unless the company can produce data on hard endpoints and cost effectiveness, Natrecor is unlikely to supplant the generic therapies that currently dominate.

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Scios/GSK: more momentum for Natrecor

Scios and GSK's Natrecor has already been successful in the acute heart failure market, with sales of $90 million expected this year. The new studies, which highlight the overall cost savings the drug can create despite its high price, should encourage still more use of the drug in US hospitals. Its prospects of success in the EU, however, are less certain.

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Schering-Plough/Zonagen: a limp end for Vasomax

After a series of knockbacks from EU and US regulators, Schering-Plough has finally lost patience with Vasomax. Although the erectile dysfunction market looks attractive, the struggle to get Zonagen's drug to market proved too great. Schering-Plough is left with a gap in its pipeline, while Zonagen's chances of making any significant returns on Vasomax now look limited.

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Schering AG: harvesting the benefits

Schering AG's June sale of its Aventis CropScience stake has provided a E1.5 billion cashpile, which the company is investing in its pharma business. Two deals completed in the last week should boost the German firm's profile as an innovative biotech-focused pharma company, driving near-double-figure annual growth for the next five years.

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Sanofi: positive results for Avapro

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