Branded

ATLANTA — This year's influenza virus is beginning its prominence in the South, as Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas reported high influenza-like illness activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. 

Oklahoma reported moderate ILI activity. 

For those who got a flu shot this year, so far they appear to be well protected. 

CDC has antigenically characterized 317 influenza viruses, including 265 2009 H1N1 viruses, 46 influenza A (H3N2) viruses and 6 influenza B viruses since Oct. 1. 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved revisions to the labeling of a leukemia drug made by Ariad Pharmaceuticals that allow the company to resume selling it, the company said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by United Therapeutics for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, the company said Monday.

The FDA approved Orenitram (treprostinil) extended-release tablets for treating certain PAH patients to improve exercise capacity. PAH is a disease in which abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs causes the right side of the heart to work harder than normal, according to the National Library of Medicine.

NEW YORK — Two experimental drugs under development by Biogen Idec are effective in reducing bleeding episodes in patients with two forms of hemophilia when administered as a preventive treatment, while also reducing the need for frequent injections, according to late-stage clinical trial data.

MALVERN, Pa. — Endo announced Thursday that regulatory waiting periods in the United States and Canada related to its plans to acquire a Montreal-based drug maker have been terminated.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat has become a distributor of a new cancer drug made by Genentech, Diplomat said Thursday.

The specialty pharmacy company said it had received a distribution contract for Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which received Food and Drug Administration approval on Nov. 1. CLL is a slowly advancing blood and bone marrow disease that, according to the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, will be diagnosed in 15,680 Americans this year and cause 4,580 deaths.

NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb is selling its diabetes business to AstraZeneca for up to $4.3 billion as part of an effort to focus more on specialty drugs, the company said Thursday.

BMS said AstraZeneca would pay $2.7 billion upfront, as well as up to $1.4 billion in milestone payments and up to $225 million on the condition of certain assets being sold. The companies have had a diabetes drug-development partnership since 2007.

DUBLIN — Perrigo has finalized its acquisition of Elan Corp., Perrigo said Wednesday.

The Michigan-based maker of branded and generic prescription and OTC drugs announced last week that the Irish High Court had approved its $8.6 billion deal to buy Ireland-based Elan, the last regulatory hurdle it had to clear before finalizing the deal, which it announced in July.