Novartis: GIST falls under Gleevec's spell

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Novartis: educating Americans on Exelon

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Novartis: continuing its infectious diseases drive

Novartis has bolstered its infectious disease pipeline with two acquisitions in as many days. The Swiss firm has signed a global agreement with US-based Human Genome Sciences for hepatitis C drug candidate Albuferon and made an offer for UK-based anti-infectives developer NeuTec Pharma.

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Novartis: building its antiviral arsenal

Novartis has announced a $507 million licensing deal with Human Genome Sciences for Albuferon, giving Novartis rights to co-promote the hepatitis C drug candidate in the US, with exclusive marketing and promotion rights outside the US. This is the Swiss firm's latest step in its strategy to build a versatile hepatitis C portfolio and become a leading player in this high-growth market.

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Novartis: bisphosphonate study should boost Zometa sales

A meta-analysis of bisphosphonate studies found that the drugs can lower skeletal morbidity in patients with metastatic disease. With Novartis' [NVS] Zometa recently gaining a sNDA for patients with bone metastases from advanced malignancies and this class of adjunct therapy becoming increasingly used, Zometa should be blockbuster by the end of 2003.

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Novartis: a small setback for Gleevec

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Novartis/Chiron: a promising cash injection

Novartis has finally satisfied Chiron's board after raising its takeover bid for the firm. This is good, if unsurprising, news for Novartis, as Chiron offers the Swiss drug maker growth opportunities in vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. Indeed, despite its recent woes, Chiron should be a good buy, enabling Novartis to become a key player in the increasingly important vaccine market.

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Novartis/Alnylam: racing against time in flu

Novartis and Alnylam have joined to advance pandemic flu therapeutics based on RNAi through initial clinical testing and eventually regulatory approval. This focus on RNAi R&D is driven by fears that current flu vaccines and antivirals might not be sufficient to protect against the H5N1 pandemic strain and only time will tell whether an approval is granted before the impending pandemic strikes.

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Novartis's novel bronchodilator paves way for potent COPD combinations

Novartis has unveiled promising Phase II data for its once-daily bronchodilator, indacaterol (QAB-149). With a long duration of action, rapid onset of action and clean side effects profile, the drug could provide a new standard for bronchodilator therapy in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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Novartis eyes Alcon to drive diversification strategy

Novartis has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in ophthalmology specialist Alcon for around $39 billion, revealing a clear intention to drive diversification from its core prescription pharmaceutical business. Although Alcon will not come cheap, the acquisition represents a positive, long-term strategy by Novartis which faces intensifying generic competition over the next five years.

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