Production & Sales

Servier acquires lymphoma drug Pixuvri from CTI BioPharma

French pharma company Servier has acquired cancer drug Pixuvri (pixantrone) from US-based CTI BioPharma for an undisclosed price in a move to strengthen its oncology portfolio.

Celltrion to launch Temixys double combination once-daily tablet for HIV treatment in US

Celltrion announced that it is launching Temixy in the US, which were approved in November by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Amgen to buy Celgene’s psoriasis drug Otezla for £10.9bn

US-based Amgen has agreed to acquire Celgene’s psoriasis drug Otezla (apremilast) and certain related assets and liabilities for $13.4bn (£10.9bn) in cash.

Pfizer to invest £411m in new US gene therapy manufacturing facility

Pfizer is set to invest an additional $500m (£411m) to build an advanced gene therapy manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina, US.

Bayer to offload animal health business to Elanco for £6.27bn

German pharma giant Bayer has agreed to offload its animal health unit to Elanco Animal Health for $7.6bn (£6.27bn) in a stock-cum-cash deal, in a move to focus on its life sciences business.

Ontario provides access to Biktarvy for treatment of HIV

Gilead Sciences Canada announced that effective July 31, the Ontario Drug Benefit Program will provide eligible patients with access to Biktarvy (bictegravir 50 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) tablets, a once-daily single tablet and complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. Health Canada granted a Notice of Compliance for BIKTARVY in July 2018.

Alvogen, Lotus launch generic version of Navelbine Softgel capsule in Europe

Alvogen announced that its subsidiary Lotus Pharmaceuticals has launched Vinorelbine 20, 30 and 80mg soft capsules in Europe.

Pfizer announces closing of JV with GSK to create premier global consumer healthcare company

Pfizer announced the closing of its joint venture (JV) with GlaxoSmithKline to combine the parties’ respective consumer healthcare businesses to create the world’s largest over-the-counter (OTC) business with robust iconic brands.

Pfizer’s generic business unit Upjohn to merge with Mylan

Pfizer has agreed to merge its off-patent branded and generic established medicines business Upjohn with Mylan to establish a new global pharmaceutical company.