Branded

SAN DIEGO — Two drug makers have finalized the design of a late-stage clinical trial for a vaccine against a common virus that can cause complications later in life.

Vical and Astellas Pharma announced Monday that they had finalized the general design of a phase-3 trial of TransVax, a vaccine against cytomegalovirus, or CMV, for transplant recipients.

WASHINGTON — The controversial merger between Express Scripts and Medco was completed Monday morning, according to a press release issued by both Express Scripts and the Federal Trade Commission.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals said they signed a research and licensing agreement to develop treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The drugs would work by reviving beta cells, the decline of which contributes to the disease.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched an authorized generic version of Cephalon's Provigil, used for conditions like shift work sleep disorder and narcolepsy, the company said Friday.

Teva acquired Cephalon for $6.8 billion in October 2011. An authorized generic is the branded drug marketed under its generic name at a reduced price.

Provigil had annual sales of about $1.1 billion, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK — Regulators will take a few months longer to review the approval application for a new drug for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the drug's developers said Thursday.

Forest Labs and Almirall said the Food and Drug Administration would require a three-month extension to complete its review of their application for aclidinium bromide, a maintenance drug for COPD. The FDA plans to complete its review and decide whether or not to approve the drug in July.

WASHINGTON — A nonprofit organization focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will take over a COPD awareness campaign from the drug company that started it.

The COPD Foundation said it would lead the Drive4COPD campaign — originally started by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in 2010 to screen people for the disease with the assumption that 24 million Americans may have it but are not aware. BI will continue to provide funding for the program.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant-Carlisle will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to sponsor several medication take-back events next month, the company said.

The chain, owned by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold and officially known as Giant Food Stores, will work with the DEA and local law enforcement agencies as part of the national drug take-back initiative on April 28, collecting unwanted medications at several of its stores.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Hyperion Therapeutics has purchased rights to a drug for treating genetic metabolic disorders, the company said.

Hyperion announced the purchase of Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate) from Ucyclyd Pharma, a subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical.