Care regulator chief steps down
February 24, 2012Sales and Marketing CQC, Cynthia Bower, Mid Staffs, reforms
The head of the Care Quality Commission Cynthia Bower has resigned from her post, amid growing pressure from the government. …
Genzyme to close UK site
February 24, 2012Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Genzyme, Sanofi, UK, job cuts
Genzyme will close its Cambridge R&D site by the end of the year, with a loss of around 60 jobs. …
The NHS, a postcard from the frontline
February 24, 2012Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Brighton, NHS, Sussex, reforms
It is January 2012, and the NHS in England is under huge strain. This is because it is being asked …
Astellas hires senior vice president for new Global Medical Affairs organisation
February 24, 2012Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing
Astellas has announced that Charlotte Kremer has joined the company as the head of one of the Company’s newest organisations …
Changes to patient information in Europe
February 23, 2012Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing Commission, EC, ED, parliament
European authorities have made new proposals to allow pharma to communicate with patients and the public – but a ban …
Packer Forbes boosts team with two recruits
February 23, 2012Medical Communications Packer Forbes
Specialist healthcare consultancy Packer Forbes Communications has announced two new appointments. Two graduate recruits have been brought on board to …
Obesity drug supported by FDA panel
February 23, 2012Sales and Marketing FDA, Qnexa, Vivus, Xenical, obesity
Vivus’ obesity drug Qnexa has been supported by an FDA panel, two years after it was knocked back by the …
GPs to ‘prescribe’ apps for patients
February 22, 2012Medical Communications GPs, Lansley, NHS, apps
Family doctors in England could soon be asked to ‘prescribe’ apps to patients to help them manage their medical conditions. …
EMA to open up drug evaluation process
February 22, 2012Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing CHMP, EMA, FDA
The European Medicines Agency will publish ongoing drug evaluations in an effort to make its processes more transparent. The Agency …
CCGs already helping patients, says Lansley
February 22, 2012CCGs, Lansley, NHS, NHS reform
The government has set out a number of ways in which its controversial health reforms are already benefiting patients. The …
Alex Gorsky named new chief executive of J&J
February 22, 2012Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Alex Gorsky, J&J, JJ, Janssen, Weldon
Johnson & Johnson has named Alex Gorsky as its new chief executive, effective from 26 April. Gorsky was also nominated …
Takeda’s ulcerative colitis drug gets Phase III boost
February 22, 2012Research and Development
Takeda’s ulcerative colitis drug vedolizumab has succeeded in a late-stage trial. The Phase III trial studied vedolizumab in 895 patients …
Publicis buys Chinese med comms firm
February 22, 2012Medical Communications Publicis Life Brands Watermelon, UBS, publicis
Publicis has acquired Chinese healthcare communications firm U-Link Business Solutions (UBS), adding to its portfolio in Asia.UBS will become part …
Caprelsa approved in Europe for thyroid cancer
February 21, 2012Sales and Marketing AstraZeneca, Caprelsa, FDA, RET, thyroid cancer
The European Commission has approved AstraZeneca’s thyroid cancer pill Caprelsa. Caprelsa (vandetanib) is now available in Europe for the treatment …
Zytiga approved in Wales – for now
February 21, 2012Sales and Marketing AWMSG, CDF, Janssen, NICE, Wales, Zytiga
Janssen’s cancer treatment Zytiga has been approved in Wales, in contrast to its rejection by NICE. The All Wales Medicines …
Working Life: Georg Toufar, director, Mundipharma
February 21, 2012Business Services, Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Georg Toufar, Mundipharma, Working Life
Georg Toufar is director of European marketing and sales and member of the executive committee at Mundipharma International Limited (MINT). …
Bayer eye drug succeeds in long-term study
February 21, 2012Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Bayer, Lucentis, aflibercept, wet AMD
Bayer’s eye drug aflibercept has succeeded in a long-term study in patients with a common eye condition. The Phase III …
MHRA suspends Teva licence for levothyroxine generic
February 21, 2012Manufacturing and Production MHRA, Numark, Teva, levothyroxine
The UK medicine regulatory authority has suspended the licence for a levothyroxine product sold by Teva on the grounds that …
Contract research news in brief
February 21, 2012Research and Development Almac, GVK Biosciences and PreClinOmics/AIT, PPD, Quintiles
Our round-up of news from the contract research sector includes PPD’s sales to a private equity consortium, new clinical supply …
Asymchem plans additional investment in Dunhua facility
February 21, 2012Manufacturing and Production Asymchem, China, Dunhua, manufacturing
China’s Asymchem Laboratories says it plans to invest another $12 million in its recently-opened manufacturing facility in Dunhua, Jilin province, …
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