Generics

It has been called “the blockbuster drug of the century,” the holy grail of health care and the next great frontier in the search for a more responsive and cost-effective healthcare system. But is it a truly achievable goal, and will it really transform the way health care is delivered in the United States?

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Drug maker Perrigo has filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic topical ointment for treating acne in adolescents and adults, the company said Wednesday.

Perrigo said it filed for approval of clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide gel in the 1.2%/2.5% strengths. The drug is used to treat acne in patients 12 years and older.

YORK, Pa. — Unilife Corp. has entered a deal with Hikma to launch 20 generic injectable drugs using Unilife's pre-filled syringe technology, the two companies said Wednesday.

Under the 15-year agreement, Unilife will supply Hikma with its platform, including the Unifill syringe and the Unifill Nexus. Hikma has selected an initial list of 20 generic injectable products that it will include in the deal.

Under the deal, Hikma will pay Unilife $40 million, including $5 million upfront, $15 million in 2014 and $20 million in 2015.

GURGAON, India — Ranbaxy Labs is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its operations in Ukraine, the Indian generic drug maker said Wednesday.

The drug maker established a base in the eastern European country in 1993 and has since become the largest drug company in the market, whose value is estimated at $3.7 billion, according to the company. Ranbaxy's products in Ukraine include branded and generic drugs.

NEW YORK — Global spending on drugs will pass the $1 trillion mark next year, according to a new study by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, a division of healthcare market analysis firm IMS Health.

DUBLIN — Drug maker Actavis hopes to become the first to market with a generic version of a topical testosterone replacement drug marketed by Eli Lilly, Actavis said.

The generic drug maker it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of testosterone topical solution in the 30-mg-per-1.5 mL strength, a generic version of Lilly's Axiron. The drug is used as a replacement therapy for deficient or absent testosterone.

DALLAS — The global market for biosimilars is expected to be worth nearly $2 billion before the end of the decade, according to a new study.

MarketsandMarkets, a Dallas-based research company, looked at the global market for biosimilars - knock-off versions of biotech drugs - including monoclonal antibodies, erythropoietins, recombinant proteins and peptides, forecasting $1.954 billion in market value by 2018.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has launched its version of a drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Monday.

Mylan announced the launch of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules in the 30-mg strength, a generic version of Novartis' Focalin XR. As the first company to win approval for a generic version of the drug, Mylan has 180 days in which to compete exclusively against Novartis' product.