Branded

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Chain Drug Consortium on Thursday dispensed a formal letter to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission expressing its opposition to the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit management companies Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

LONDON — Drug makers GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort are seeking expanded approval for their restless legs syndrome treatment.

The drug makers this week announced the submission of a supplemental new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration, requesting approval for Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) extended-release tablets as a treatment for postherpetic neuralgia, a nerve pain that commonly is seen in patients with shingles. GSK submitted the sNDA on behalf of the two companies.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new single-pill treatment for HIV made by Gilead Sciences and Johnson & Johnson, Gilead said.

Gilead announced the approval of Complera (emtricitabine, rilpivirine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). The drug combines Gilead's Truvada with J&J's Edurant.

NEW YORK — Pfizer will invest up to $50 million over the next five years in drug discovery and development under a collaboration with the University of California San Diego Health Sciences, the drug maker said.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged the resubmission of an investigational Type 2 diabetes drug made by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Alkermes.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Drug maker Avanir Pharmaceuticals has filed suit against two generic drug makers seeking to launch versions of a drug used to treat pseudobulbar affect, which causes sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing and crying, and occurs secondary to numerous other neurological conditions.

Avanir filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Par and Actavis, which had filed for regulatory approval of Nuedexta (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate).

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — Profits for Endo Pharmaceutical Holdings rose to $54.6 million during second quarter 2011, up 6% from $51.5 million in second quarter 2010, the drug maker said.

Sales for the quarter were $607.5 million, compared with $396.5 million in second quarter 2010. Sales of branded drugs were $398.3 million, an 8% increase over last year, which the company attributed to better sales of the pain drug Opana ER and the joint pain drug Voltaren Gel.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Prescription savings program Together Rx Access announced that it has appointed a Pfizer executive to serve as its board of managers chairman.