Branded

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Valeant Pharmaceuticals said it would not move forward in its pursuit of Ista Pharmaceuticals due to lack of progress.

The drug maker said it withdrew the acquisition offer of Ista, valued at $7.50 per share in cash. Valeant previously said that the offer would remain open until Jan. 31.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Pfizer for treating advanced kidney cancer, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Inlyta (axitinib) for patients with advanced kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, who have not responded to another drug for the disease. The drug, a twice-daily pill, works by blocking certain proteins called kinases that are involved with tumor growth and disease progression.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is partnering with a division of Johnson & Johnson and a charity organization to launch an initiative to award funding to projects designed to improve the diagnostic identification and tracking of Alzheimer's disease.

PASADENA, Calif. — A human papillomavirus vaccine created by drug maker Merck does not cause autoimmune conditions after young women are inoculated, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a topical treatment made by Leo Pharma for a skin condition that can lead to cancer, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Leo announced the FDA approval of Picato (ingenol mebutate) gel in the 0.015%/0.05% strength for actinic keratosis, also known as AK, which is a precancerous condition resulting from cumulative sun exposure that has the potential to lead to squamous cell carcinoma.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new manufacturing plant that will be operated by drug maker Genzyme.

Genzyme said the plant, located in Framingham, Mass., will help the company continue the production of Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta), a Fabry disease treatment, so that patients can be return to the full dosing levels (1 mg/kg).

STAMFORD, Conn. — In an effort to help chronically ill Americans that rely on safety net clinics for their medical care, AstraZeneca has donated $3.8 million worth of prescription medicines to AmeriCares.

PALATINE, Ill. — A pain medication that utilizes Acura Pharmaceuticals' Aversion technology now is commercially available.

Acura said it was informed by Pfizer that Oxecta has hit the market in 5-mg and 7.5-mg strengths, which will be sold in 100-count bottles. Oxecta is indicated for the management of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate.