New Drug Approvals Improve in 2009 as More Biologics Get the Green Light.
Podcast: January 11, 2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved 26 new drugs in 2009, besting 2008 by a hair, according to Washington Analysis, which provides research to institutional investors. The number of new approvals for small molecule drugs actually fell slightly, while the number of new biologics approved grew. We spoke to Ira Loss, senior health policy analyst with Washington Analysis, about the numbers, whether they reflect a push by Big Pharma into biologics, and whether the FDA under a new administration is faring any better. Read More Here

Making Strides
Pfizer expands portfolio with partnership with Indian generics company.
Pfizer is expanding its burgeoning generics business through a new partnership with India's Strides Arcolab, with which it will commercialize off-patent sterile injectable and oral products in the United States. The deal is part of a giant hedge for Pfizer, which kept the financial details to itself. Facing patent expirations on a number of its top revenue generators, the company launched its Established Products business unit less than 10 months ago to take advantage of growing global demand for low-cost medicines.   Read More Here

Worse than Walking in Heels
Running shoes may cause damage to knees, hips and ankles.
Running may provide cardiovascular and other health benefits, but a new study says it can increase stresses on the joints of the leg compared with running barefoot. In fact, the study foundrunning in modern running shoes puts more stress on joints than walking in high-heeled shoes.   Read More Here

Eyeing an Opportunity
Novartis pursues vision of owning Alcon.  
Novartis is pursuing plans to acquire the eye-care business Alcon from Nestle in a controversial near-$50 billion deal that could help it capture a substantial share of the global eye-care market. The Swiss drug maker, which already owns a quarter of Alcon, sees a chance to expand its ophthalmology franchise thus gaining a new revenue stream as patent-protection for some of its best-sellers nears expiration. But Alcon's minority shareholders are angry because Novartis is offering them just $153 per share while paying Nestle $180 per share for its 52 percent stake.   Read More Here

Rising Star
China emerges as leader in regenerative medicine despite world skepticism of stem cell therapies offered at clinics.  
While the international research community condemns the practice of Chinese clinics administering unproven stem cell therapies to domestic and foreign patients, the Chinese government’s investment in regenerative medicine research is turning the country into a force in the emerging field. Chinese researchers have become the world's fifth most prolific contributors to peer-reviewed scientific literature on regenerative medicine according to a study by the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health.   Read More Here

Anemia Drugs Raise Renewed Safety Concerns
The weekly round-up of failed trials, missed targets and other business mishaps.  
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it would review the anemia drugs sold by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson as a new clinical study renews safety concerns about their use in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study found high doses of one of the drugs might cause strokes. The FDA plans to have an outside advisory committee evaluate the use of the drugs and consider ways to control their dose. The drugs include Amgen’s Epogen and Aranesp and Johnson & Johnson’s Procrit.   Read More Here

Stepping Down
Biogen Idec CEO Mullen to call it quits.  
Biogen Idec CEO Jim Mullen will retire in June, after 20 eventful years spanning the 2003 merger of its namesakes, a remarkable rescue of the company's blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, and countless battles with billionaire investor Carl Icahn. The Cambridge biotechnology company has already begun a search for his successor.   Read More Here