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WASHINGTON — A major depressive disorder treatment made by Pfizer significantly reduced the number and severity of moderate-to-severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women, compared with placebo, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Novartis is making big investments in biosimilars, CEO Joe Jimenez said in an interview with Fortune magazine.

Jimenez told Fortune that the Swiss drug maker — which markets generics and biosimilars through its Sandoz division — was investing heavily in biosimilars and difficult-to-make generics for such conditions as cancer and respiratory disorders.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment made by Abbott for low testosterone in men, the drug maker said Friday.

Abbott announced the approval of AndroGel (testosterone gel) in the 1.62% strength, a clear, odorless topical gel for men with hypogonadism. The company already markets AndroGel in the 1% strength.

The new gel contains 40.5 mg of testosterone in two pump presses, while AndroGel 1% contains 50 mg in four pump presses, but the company said the two were not interchangeable.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Tradjenta (linagliptin), made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim.

“This approval provides another treatment option for the millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes,” FDA Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products director Mary Parks said. “It is effective when used alone or when added to existing treatment regimens.”

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a low-dose chewable contraceptive, the company said Monday.

Watson announced the U.S. commercial launch of Generess Fe (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol chewable tablets, and ferrous fumarate chewable tablets) in the 0.8-mg/25-mcg strength.

JERUSALEM — Cephalon has another suitor in the form of the world’s largest generic drug company.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said Monday that it would buy Frazer, Pa.-based Cephalon for $6.8 billion, undercutting efforts by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which had offered $5.7 billion in March.

The boards of both companies have agreed to the acquisition, equal to $81.50 per share. Cephalon previously had turned down Valeant’s offer, prompting the Mississauga, Ontario-based company to take its case directly to Cephalon’s shareholders.

HORSHAM, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for prostate cancer made by Johnson & Johnson.

Centocor Ortho Biotech, J&J’s biotech subsidiary, announced Thursday the approval of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), a daily pill for use in combination with the corticosteroid prednisone for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in men who have received prior chemotherapy with Sanofi-Aventis’ Taxotere (docetaxel).

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck has cleared a hurdle in its effort to buy eye care company Inspire Pharmaceuticals for $430 million, the company said Thursday.

The expiration of the waiting period mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 brings Merck one step closer to acquiring Inspire.

Merck announced its intention to buy Raleigh, N.C.-based Inspire for $5 per share on April 15.