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WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck is looking to boost its eye care portfolio by acquiring a company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products. The deal carries a cash value of about $430 million.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Daiichi Sankyo's SVP commercial operations has taken on a new role at the company.

The drug maker said that John Gargiulo would become president and CEO, effective Monday, following the retirement of current leader Joseph Pieroni.

Gargiulo has been with Daiichi Sankyo since its inception in 1996. In addition to his role at the company, he currently serves on the board of directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, as well as the National Pharmaceutical Council.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Pfizer will sell its Capsugel business to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. for nearly $2.4 billion, the drug maker said Monday.

Capsugel, which develops hard capsules and drug-delivery systems, generated about $750 million in sales last year. The company will maintain its New Jersey headquarters after the sale is complete.

NEW YORK — French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis may get a name change soon, according to a published report.

Bloomberg reported that the drug maker had scheduled a vote at its May 6 stockholders meeting to shorten the name to “Sanofi.” The article paraphrased a spokesman as saying that the current name is difficult for people in some countries to pronounce.

The Sanofi-Aventis name came into being following the 2004 acquisition of Aventis by Sanofi-Synthelabo.

INDIANAPOLIS — A topical medication for treating low testosterone in men now is available, drug maker Eli Lilly said.

Lilly announced the availability of Axiron (testosterone), a topical solution designed for application under the arm.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Axiron in November, making it the only testosterone replacement therapy applied to the underarm.

PARIS — Sanofi-Aventis said it completed its exchange offer for drug maker Genzyme, which expired just before midnight April 1.

All 224,528,469 shares of Genzyme common stock were validly tendered, which is represented by 84.6% of common stock and 77% of shares on a diluted basis.

Last month, the board of directors of Genzyme unanimously recommended that shareholders accept French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis’ $74-per-share buyout offer.

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — A drug used to treat pain in cancer patients now is available in the United States.

ProStrakan Group announced Monday the launch of Abstral (fentanyl) sublingual tablets. The tablets, which disintegrate rapidly and are placed under the tongue, treat breakthrough pain, common in one-half to two-thirds of people with cancer-related pain.

The drug, an opioid and controlled substance, only is available through a Food and Drug Administration-mandated REMS program. The FDA approved the drug in January.

CLEVELAND — A drug used to treat diabetes also may prevent it, according to a new study published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University took specially bred obese, prediabetic rats and gave them either Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin), placebo or glyburide, an older diabetes drug. Both of the diabetes drugs lowered blood-glucose levels after the rats had eaten, but only Junuvia raised the total output of insulin by the pancreas while lowering levels of glucagon.