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STAMFORD, Conn. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new dosage strength for a chronic pain patch made by Purdue Pharma, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Purdue announced the approval of the 15-microgram-per-hour strength of Butrans (buprenorphine). The drug is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for an extended period of time. The new strength is in addition to the 5-microgram, 10-microgram and 20-microgram strengths already on the market, and it will be launched next month.

GHENT, Belgium — Belgian drug maker Ablynx is licensing an experimental treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus to U.S. drug maker AbbVie in a deal worth up to $840 million, the companies said.

The two drug makers announced that AbbVie would license the drug ALX-0061 for an upfront payment of $175 million plus milestone payments worth up to $665 million, as well as royalties. The drug belongs to a class known as anti-interleukin-6R nanobodies, which work by targeting an immune-system protein pathway that plays a key role in the inflammation associated with RA.

NEW YORK — The global market for Type 2 diabetes will nearly double over the next six years, according to a new report.

GBI Research announced the release of a study Tuesday indicating that the market will grow from 2012's $20.4 billion to $38.8 billion by 2019, at an annual growth rate of 10.2%. The United States' market, meanwhile, will more than double, from $12.7 billion last year to $27.2 billion in 2019.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo Co. has hired a former Food and Drug Administration official for its regulatory department, the drug maker said Friday.

The Allegan, Mich.-based drug maker announced the appointment of Keith Webber as head of regulatory review, a position in which he will start on Oct. 21. Webber previously served as acting director of the FDA's Office of Pharmaceutical Science, part of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, which regulates prescription and OTC drugs. He also served as director of the Office of Generic Drugs.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi's vaccines division is targeting people who have not received vaccinations against flu this season in an effort to encourage them to do so.

Sanofi Pasteur announced Thursday the launch of its "The FLUgitives" campaign. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone ages 6 months and older, but according to the CDC, about 20% of the population gets the flu each year, while 226,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications.

The healthcare industry has been laser-focused on prevention since it became obvious that stemming the tide of disease in our country required an upstream solution. From tackling prediabetes in adults to preventing childhood disease with infant immunizations, health professionals are onboard — with most finding a way to incorporate disease prevention into everyday practice.   

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Management Association on Wednesday recognized three members of Congress — Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio; and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah — with the association’s Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award. 

The award honors public officials for their leadership and commitment to policies that promote the safe and efficient delivery of lifesaving medicines to patients nationwide.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a cancer drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Teva said Tuesday.

The Israeli drug maker announced the approval of a liquid formulation of Treanda (bendamustine hydrochloride), which it said would eliminate the need for reconstitution.

The drug is used to treat indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with Rituxan (rituximab), which is made by Genentech and Biogen Idec, and in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.