Recordati to acquire Spanish pharmaceutical company Laboratorios Casen Fleet

Recordati will acquire 100% of the share capital of Laboratorios Casen Fleet S.L.U., a Spanish pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Madrid and production facilities in Utebo, Zaragoza. The value of the transaction (enterprise value) is of € 93 million and will be funded from existing liquidity. The transaction values Laboratorios Casen Fleet at 2 times sales. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the following weeks.

Endo acquires Specialty Generics Company Boca Pharmacal

Endo announced the acquisition of Boca Pharmacal, a specialty generics company that focuses on commercializing and developing products that include tablets and capsules, semisolids, solutions and suspensions. Endo will pay $225m in cash for Boca. 

Axxess Pharma Inc to Acquire Canadian OTC Healthcare Company

Axxess Pharma Inc a specialty pharmaceutical and nutritional supplements company, today announced an Agreement in Principle to acquire a leading Canadian OTC healthcare company. Upon completion of the acquisition, the company will bring current sales and a valuable IP portfolio to Axxess Pharma. 

Meda to acquire a respiratory company in the US

Meda is to acquire the US development company Acton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Acton”) for upto $200m.  Meda will pay $135m upfront, while the rest would be contingent on milestones (sales and regulatory). The primary product in Acton portfolio is Aerospan, which is an inhaler for the treatment of asthma that contains the active substance Flunisolide. The product is approved by the FDA and has shown in clinical studies to have a high deposition of active drug in the airways as a result of a built-in inhalation chamber (called a “spacer”).  Aerospan is intended to be launched in the US in 2014, while launch in other major markets will be done subsequently.

MedImmune acquires Amplimmune - US based biologics company focused on developing novel therapeutics in cancer immunology

AstraZeneca today announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Amplimmune, a privately-held, Maryland, US-based biologics company focused on developing novel therapeutics in cancer immunology.

Kemwell Biopharma acquires Cirrus Pharmaceuticals

Kemwell Biopharma, a leading global bio/pharmaceutical contract services company headquartered in Bangalore, India announced today that it has acquired Cirrus Pharmaceuticals Inc., a contract development services company based in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.

Cirrus is a highly reputed contract product development organization. Cirrus has been serving the needs of the global pharmaceutical industry for over 15 years. Since its inception in 1997, Cirrus has established a strong reputation for its development expertise in inhalation, parenteral, transdermal, topical and liquid dosage forms. It also offers stand-alone analytical services including stability studies.

"Kemwell’s corporate objective is to build a leading global bio/pharmaceutical contract services company," said Anurag Bagaria, Chairman and MD of Kemwell. "Cirrus will complement the existing contract services offered by Kemwell with early stage innovative product development. Kemwell will now provide customers with a complete solution from early development in the US to commercial manufacturing in Kemwell’s EMA, FDA and PMDA approved facilities in India and Sweden.”

Dr. Ninad Deshpanday, President R&D at Kemwell said, “With Cirrus’ development capabilities and Kemwell’s manufacturing expertise, we will be able to develop products with faster time-to-clinic and significant cost savings for our customers.”

Cirrus’ President, Dr. Anthony Hickey added, "This acquisition is a testament to the tremendous value our talented employees have created for Cirrus over the past several years. The acquisition will transform Cirrus into a global player in R&D services by significantly strengthening our capabilities in inhalation R&D and increasing offerings in other areas such as oral solids dosage forms. The Cirrus team looks forward to joining the Kemwell family and continuing to provide the high customer satisfaction it always has.”

About Kemwell
Kemwell Biopharma Pvt Ltd with its head office in Bangalore, India is a pure play contract development and manufacturing company. The company develops and manufactures bio/pharmaceuticals for some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, including Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck KGaA, Novartis and Pfizer. Kemwell is one of India’s largest CDMO of bio/ pharmaceuticals with over 30 years’ experience. The company employs more than 1200 employees worldwide and has seven production facilities and state-of-the art research and development laboratories in India and Sweden. Kemwell is an approved bio/pharmaceutical manufacturer in over 80 countries including the American, European, Japanese and Indian markets.

About Cirrus
Cirrus Pharmaceuticals is a contract research and product development company located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. Cirrus can assist or manage projects as needed by providing a broad array of R&D services including physical and chemical characterization, formulation development, stability testing, container/closure selection, process development, scale-up and technical transfer for inhaled, nasal, oral, parenteral, topical and transdermal products. Services can include submission-ready regulatory documentation and assistance with regulatory submission questions.

Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Cubist does a double whammy - Acquires Optimer and Trius

Earlier this week, Cubist announced that it would be buying two other antibiotics developers, Trius Therapeutics and Optimer Pharmaceuticals. Cubist is paying an initial $707mm in cash for Trius, with an additional $111mm in contingent value rights (CVRs) - approximately $2.00 per share more - payable in the event that Trius's lead drug candidate, tedizolid phosphate, generates over $135mm in sales in 2016. For Optimer, Cubist is paying an initial $535mm in cash, with additional CVRs amounting to $266mm payable if Optimer's main marketed product, fidaxomicin, generates over $300mm in cumulative net sales between end-July 2013 and end-2015.












Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Vivimed Acquires A US FDA Approved Formulation Manufacturing Facility

Vivimed Labs Ltd., manufacturer of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals, announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Actavis Pharma Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd.'s solid oral dosage facility in Alathur in Tamil Nadu for an aggregate consideration of Rs.122 crore.

Merz acquires cosmetics and over the counter and prescription skin care business of switzerland based dermatology company Neocutis

Merz Pharma Group has acquired the cosmetics, over the counter and Rx skin care businesses of Swiss dermatology company Neocutis. Germany-based Merz, which operates its North American headquarters in Greensboro, said that the acquisitions will strengthen Merz’s position in the field of aesthetic products and reflects Merz’s strategy to position itself as a global leader in medical and aesthetic dermatology.

Perrigo to acquire Elan for $8.6 billion

Yesterday Perrigo announced that they would be acquiring Elan for $8.6 billion. The deal brings to Perrigo an escalating Tysabri Royalty stream,  tax synergies, ELNF005 (a Phase 2 CNS asset) and $1.9b in net cash.

FMC Corporation Acquires Leading High-Purity Omega-3 Concentrates Producer Epax AS

FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) today announced that it has acquired all of the shares of Epax Nutra Holding III AS (Norway) and Epax UK Holding III AS (United Kingdom) (together, "Epax"), a leading manufacturer of high purity, premium grade Omega-3 fatty acid concentrates that are used in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and food. Epax was part of Trygg Pharma Group AS ("Trygg Pharma"), an Omega-3 pharmaceutical company. This acquisition strengthens and expands FMC's presence in the high growth nutraceutical market. 

Mitsubishi Tanabe acquires Vaccine maker Medicago

Mitsubishi Tanabe together with Philip Morris Investments BV limited will acquire vaccine maker Medicago for CAD 1.16 per share or CAD179 million.  Post acquisition Medicago will become a joint venture  company of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and Philip Morris Investments. Mitsubishi Tanabe will own 60%, while Philip Morris Investments will own 40%.

Shanghai RAAS to acquire Banghe Pharma

With the Chinese government no longer issuing new blood products business license, the Chinese blood product industry is entering into a phase of rapid consolidation. Shanghai RAAS Blood Products has announced that it will acquire 100% stake in Banghe pharmaceuitcal company. for $290m or RMB 1.8 billion.  Both companies are involved in biologic plasma-derived products. In order to fund the transaction, RAAS will raise RMB 500million ($80m) by issuing fresh equity to RAAS China limited.

Shanghai Pharma to acquire 79% stake in Big Global, subsidiary of Dong Ying Pharma

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals will pay 615 million RMB ($100 million) to purchase a 79% stake in Big Global Limited (Hong Kong), which is owned by Dong Ying (Jiangsu) Pharmaceuticals Co. Dong Ying (Jiangsu) Pharmaceuticals specializes in muscle relaxant and cardiovascular drugs through its SFDA GMP-certified production facilities and established distribution network throughout China.

Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Roche Diagnostics has acquired Constitution Medical Inc.

Roche has acquired Constitution Medical Investors, Inc. (CMI), based in Boston Massachusetts (USA).  CMI is the developer of a highly innovative hematology testing system, which is designed to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis of blood-related diseases, thereby improving  patient care. 

Transaction Valuation

CMI was created and funded by the private equity firm Warburg Pincus and members of CMI’s management team.  Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will pay CMI shareholders USD 220 million upfront, as well as further contingent payments depending on the achievement of certain milestones. CMI will serve as a center of excellence in the field of hematology within Roche Diagnostics. 

Transaction Rationale

“With this acquisition, we will further strengthen our commitment to hematology and drive towards integrated laboratory solutions with innovative products which deliver medical value to our customers and patients.  Patients will benefit from faster and more accurate diagnosis of blood diseases such as anemia and leukemia”,  says Roland Diggelmann, COO of Roche’s Diagnostics. “We are happy to welcome CMI’s employees,  a very talented group of people with strong expertise and domain knowledge in the field of hematology, to the Roche Group”,  he adds.
The BloodhoundTM  technology is the core of a fully-automated system in development with the capability to increase efficiency and save laboratory space by replacing several workstations with a single, compact unit. 

“We are very excited about the prospect of continuing our successful development as part of the Roche Group and bringing our technology to medical laboratories in the service of patients on a global scale”, said Patrick Sullivan, Chairman and CEO of CMI. 

The new hematology capabilities will support Roche’s growth and strengthen its competitive position in the laboratory hematology testing business, which has an estimated global market size of more than USD 2.0 billion (2011). 

About CMIConstitution Medical Investors, Inc. (CMI), founded by former Cytyc Corporation executives Patrick Sullivan and Daniel Levangie, a Boston, Massachusetts (USA)-based developer of innovative laboratory products.  The senior management team of CMI brings with them a wealth of experience in the development of innovative new technologies. CMI is funded by Warburg Pincus and members of management
About RocheHeadquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, infectious diseases, inflammation, metabolism and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2012 Roche had over 82,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.



Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Elder Pharma acquires OTC business in the United Kingdom

The UK arm of Elder Pharmaceuticals - NutraHealth Ltd has acquired West Yorkshire-based firm Max Healthcare Ltd. The objective of the acquisition is in to re-enter over-the-counter  pharmaceutical business in the UK. Max Healthcare is an OTC business, which owns a range of marketing authorisations and provides own label and branded OTC medicines and products to a broad range of customers.

The acquisition will help in extending and enhancing the company's OTC product range, it added.

Max Healthcare is predominantly an outsourced operation with most of its manufacturing taking place in India

Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Intezyne acquires Niki Pharma

Intezyne Technologies has acquired Niiki Pharma. The acquisition gives Intezyne a Phase 2 asset being developed for non-pancreatic endocrine tumor. Niiki Pharma's GRP78 suppressor (NKP-1339), which has recently entered Phase 2 has the potential to enhance the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and other tumor types. Currently there are no anti-tumor therapies that are approved for this specific type of cancer.

Belrose Pharma Acquires Enzon's Advanced Drug Formulation Technology and Associated Clinical Assets

Belrose Pharma has acquired Enzon's Advanced Drug Formulation Technology (Peglyation Linker Technology) and the associated product pipeline. Acquisition of this technology will enable Belrose Pharma to accelerate creation of improved biologic and small molecule therapies with better treatment outcomes for patients with life-threatening diseases such as breast cancer and pediatric neuroblastoma, and orphan drug diseases such as hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Teva looking to build its drug delivery capabilities, acquires Microdose therapeutx for $165 million

Founded in 1998, MicroDose Therapeutx is a private pharmaceutical company successfully pioneering the creation of next-generation products utilizing its proprietary drug delivery technologies. In the pipeline, its Dry Powder Inhaler, Dry Powder Nebulizer, PolyCap™ systems, and Needlefree technologies promise to dramatically improve efficacy and compliance. Using these novel drug delivery techneques, MicroDose’s is targeting to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from debilitating diseases including asthma, COPD, RSV, IBS-C, and constipation.

Johnson & Johnson Acquires Aragon Pharmaceuticals

Johnson &Johnson will acquire Aragon Pharmaceuticals (Private), a company developing ARN-509. ARN-509 is an androgen receptor antagonist similar to XTANDI™ (enzalutamide), and was designed by the same medicinal chemists who created Medivation's drug. 

Transaction Rationale

We believe this transaction basically an acceptance by JNJ that Medivation compound Xtandi is likely to emerge superior compared to its own prostate cancer drug Zytiga (abiraterone acetate).

Transaction Valuation

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will make an upfront cash payment of $650mm, plus additional contingent payments of up to $350mm based on reaching predetermined milestones