PharmAsia News

Merck Serono/Takeda Matuzumab Development In Question After Phase II Study

Merck Serono is reconsidering development of its monoclonal antibody matuzumab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer after a Phase II study failed to meet its efficacy endpoint, the company announced Aug. 29.

China Defends Food Safety Record

EDITOR’S PICK – China’s Ministry of Health has sent a voluntary eight-page notice to the World Health Organization outlining steps the country has taken recently to improve food safety, according to an Aug. 29 report by the Associated Press.

Nexavar Survival Study In Asia-Pacific Patients With Liver Cancer Halted Early

Bayer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals announced Aug. 27 that a trial evaluating Nexavar (sorafenib) in Asia-Pacific patients with hepatocellular carcinoma will be stopped early to allow all patients to receive the drug based on positive study results and the recommendation of an independent data monitoring committee.

Weekly Roundup: August 27, 2007

• McKinsey Sees Indian Drug Industry at US$20bn By 2015 (India)
• Analysis: Four Major Drugmakers Likely to Top FY07 Earnings Forecasts (Japan)
• Novartis to Move Indian R&D (India)
• New Zealand Bans Larger Doses of Arthritis Drug Prexige, Cites Liver Damage Risk (New Zealand)
• Bayer Anticipates High-speed Growth After Merger (China)
• Ajanta Out-Licenses Product to Taiwan Firm (India)
• Eisai Pushes For Development Of Cancer Drugs (Japan)
• Ranbaxy Labs Mulls Testing Unit Spin-off (India)
• Reforms in Pharma on Snail Pace (India)
• Drug Regulator to Monitor Side Effects (India)
• WHO To Help Fast-Track Improvements In China Products Regulation (China)
• Cadila Pharma Looks for Acquisitions in Europe, US (India)
• World Courier Launches China Cold Chain Network (China)

China Forbids Leasing Of Drug Store Shelves

SHANGHAI – Chinese drug stores are no longer allowed to rent shelf space to drug suppliers, previously a common marketing practice, or to put OTC and prescription drug products and non-drug products next to each other on store shelves. Sale of prescription drugs off the open shelf is also prohibited under a rule issued Aug. 13 by the State Food and Drug Administration.

Ex-FDA Commissioner Crawford Calls For New Global Harmonization Effort

CAMBRIDGE, MA-A new global organization should be established to promote the harmonization of regulatory requirements between countries, Lester Crawford proposed Aug. 22 at the FDA Regulatory and Compliance Symposium.

Trade Secret Status Triggers Marketing Exclusivity For Chinese Drug Manufacturer

SHANGHAI – A traditional medicine used to treat osteoporosis has been declared a technological secret by the Chinese government, providing the Tongjitang Chinese Medicine Company with five years of marketing exclusivity under State Food and Drug Administration rules.

Merck Opens Asia Pacific Headquarters In Singapore

Merck has opened an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, the firm announced Aug. 21.

Forest, Daiichi Partner To Promote Hypertension Combo Azor Upon Approval

Forest Laboratories and Daiichi Sankyo are building upon an ongoing collaboration for Benicar and Benicar HCT with the signing of a new deal to co-promote the fixed-dose antihypertensive Azor, whose approval is anticipated in September. The companies announced the signing of a letter of intent to enter into a collaboration Aug. 21.

Chi-Med Signs Collaboration With Lilly For Oncology, Inflammation Candidates

Chi-Med's wholly owned research and development subsidiary Hutchison MediPharma will collaborate with Eli Lilly on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical targets in oncology and inflammation, Chi-Med announced Aug. 20.