Specialty Pharmacy

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Genentech is seeking approval for a new drug to treat skin cancer, the company said Wednesday.

LAS VEGAS — The seventh annual Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit, convened at The Wynn resort and casino this week, attracted nearly 1,500 attendees — a rise of almost 50% over 2010 — and about 80 exhibiting companies.

BRUSSELS — Patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who respond to 12 weeks of treatment with a drug made by UCB are more likely to show improvement in their condition in the long run, according to results of a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration expects to approve an increasing number of drugs, according to published reports.

Reuters quoted FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director Janet Woodcock as saying the number of drugs approved gradually could increase, already having reached a “nadir.” The report noted that 12 drugs had won approval this year so far, and Woodcock speculated that the agency would approve more than the 21 it approved last year.

PARIS — French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis has shortened its name to Sanofi, the company said.

The company, which acquired Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech giant Genzyme for $20.1 billion earlier this year, had planned to vote at its shareholder meeting Friday.

According to published reports, the previous name was difficult to pronounce for people in many countries.

MADISON, Wis. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to a treatment made by Mithridion for a rare neurological disorder, Mithridion said Monday.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Novartis as the first treatment for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Novartis said Thursday.

Novartis announced the approval of Afinitor (everolimus), saying it marked the first approval of a drug for advanced pancreatic NET in nearly 30 years. The drug already is approved for treating cancers of the kidneys and brain.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — First quarter 2011 sales at specialty pharmacy provider BioScrip increased by 31.1% over first quarter 2010. The company also showed a profit, compared with losses during the same period last year, according to financial results released Tuesday.

The company had sales of $439.3 million, compared with $335.1 million in first quarter 2010, while profits were $2.9 million, compared with losses of $7.2 million a year ago.