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WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec is looking to address the advantages and challenges female clinicians experience in treating patients living with multiple sclerosis through a new educational initiative.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A drug made by Daiichi-Sankyo was safe and effective in maintaining reductions in blood pressure in older patients, according to a new study presented at the American Society of Hypertension’s 26th annual meeting in New York.

The “TRINITY” study of Tribenzor (olmesartan medoxomil, amlodipine besylate and hydrochlorothiazide) showed the drug was well-tolerated and effective in patients ranging in age from younger than 65 years to older than 65 years, after a year.

NEW YORK — Several states are cutting funding to programs that provide HIV medications to people who can’t afford them in an effort to reduce spending, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported that more than 8,300 people are on waiting lists to obtain antiretrovirals and other drugs that treat HIV, AIDS and related conditions. The Post article highlighted particularly large program cuts in Illinois and Georgia, as well as one proposed for Florida.

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly is partnering with two private investor groups to form a new biotech company based in central Indiana, the company said Monday.

Lilly signed a deal with Care Capital and NovaQuest Capital to establish BioCritica, a privately held biotechnology company that will focus on continued U.S. development and commercialization of the severe sepsis treatment Xigris (drotrecogin alfa [activated]). The new company also will expand its portfolio of critical care medicines for hospitals.

SUPPLIER NEWS — The FDA has approved a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the agency said. The FDA announced the approval of Tradjenta (linagliptin) made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim.


NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Pfizer drug for treating pancreatic tumors.

Pfizer announced Friday the approval of Sutent (sunitinib malate) for the treatment of progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with locally advanced disease that can’t be removed through surgery. Pancreatic NET is a rare cancer reported in 2 million to 4 million people worldwide every year.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for hepatitis C made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the agency said Monday.

The FDA approved Incivek (telaprevir) to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C infection, particularly those who either have not received interferon-based drug therapy or who have not responded to prior therapies. The drug is approved for use with therapies that include ribavirin and peginterferon alfa.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new antiretroviral treatment for HIV made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Friday.

The FDA approved J&J subsidiary Tibotec Therapeutics’ Edurant (rilpivirine) as a treatment for use in combination with other HIV drugs in adults who have not been treated before.