Schering-Plough/Centocor: wider Remicade indication

Published By Datamonitor

Arthritis: sales will hit $24 billion in 2007

Published By Datamonitor

Altana considers divesting pharma business

Following disappointing trial results in its respiratory pipeline, a failure to secure the US approval of Alvesco, and the breakdown of its collaboration with Pfizer over Daxas, all eyes are on Altana as rumors suggest it is considering selling its drugs unit. As yet, Altana has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, which follow a disappointing year for the company's pharmaceutical unit.

Published By Datamonitor

TeGenero Mab causes shock side-effects in UK trial

A phase I UK clinical trial of TeGenero's TGN1412 has stirred up a storm of controversy after trial participants suffered serious adverse events soon after taking the drug. While this event could have a number of implications for drug developers, it needs to be weighed against the need for new medicines, especially in chronic disorders.

Published By Datamonitor

Altana: putting the feelers out for a suitable partner

German pharmaceutical firm Altana has reiterated that it will seek a suitable strategic partner for its pharma business following the separation from the chemical business later this year. This comes less than a month after German pharma giant Bayer announced its acquisition of second-place domestic pharma Schering AG, and could stir up further excitement among German bidders.

Published By Datamonitor

TeGenero: bankruptcy beckons

German biotech firm TeGenero has filed for bankruptcy just four months after a catastrophic safety trial with its immunomodulatory drug candidate TGN1412 left six healthy volunteers fighting for their lives. However, this does not necessarily signal the end for TGN1412, which may still have a future if anyone is brave enough to take it on for further research.

Published By Datamonitor

Nycomed/Merck: Daxas deal will have limited financial impact

Nycomed and Merck & Co. have agreed to co-promote the novel COPD therapy Daxas, which recently gained a positive recommendation in the EU. While this collaboration boosts Daxas' commercial prospects in several European countries, as well as Canada, the drug is limited by its restricted patient potential.

Published By Datamonitor