Merck Investors OK $41B Schering Deal Nov 17, 2009
Jes a change-of-control provision in its contract with Schering-Plough allows it to take all revenue from the drugs Remicade and newly approved successor Simponi and has started arbitration proceedings to press its suit. Merck has removed what looked to be the only other significant hurdle to closing the deal, announcing plans last Thursday to sell its half-interest in the Merial animal health business to partner Sanofi-Aventis SA for $4 billion. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Merck/Schering-Plough merger complete Nov 4, 2009
Still unresolved following the merger is Merck s rights to sales of Centocor s arthritis medicine Remicade outside of the United States. Schering-Plough acquired those rights from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), which owns Centocor Ortho Biotech of Horsham, Pa. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Arthritis Treatments Oct 30, 2009
said that common treatments include drugs such as Celebrex, Enbrel, methotrexate and Remicade. Others try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Doesn't Promote Cancer Oct 30, 2009
Swedish researchers analyzed data from 6,366 rheumatoid arthritis patients who started anti-TNF therapy with infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira) or etanercept (Enbrel) between January 1999 and July 2006. The study participants were compared with other groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients, including 61,160 not taking medications, 4,015 taking methotrexate (the gold standard of treatment) and 4,105 taking combinations of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (other than TNF blockers). (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment does not increase cancer Risk in RA patients Oct 29, 2009
TNF inhibitors (or TNF blockers) are a class of therapies used to reduce inflammation in chronic inflammation such as RA. The common immunosuppressant drugs and those included in the study are Remicade, HumiraTM, and Enbrel. As these therapies are used to treat chronic inflammatory illnesses, the long-term inhibition of TNF raises concerns for increased risk of infections and cancer. (EurekAlert!)
How Drug Industry Lobbyists Got Their Way on Health Care Oct 22, 2009
Biologics average more than 20 times the cost of traditional drugs: treating breast cancer with a year's worth of the biologic Herceptin can cost $48,000; Remicade, for rheumatoid arthritis, can cost $20,000 annually. For other, rarer diseases, the price of biologic treatments can be as high as $200,000 a year. (Time.com)
J&J ekes out profit rise despite sales drop Oct 15, 2009
Only a few drugs showed sales growth, including Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis and other immune disorders, up 6 percent to $1 billion. The smallest division, consumer products, posted a 2. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
J&J quarterly sales miss estimates, shares fall Oct 14, 2009
Anemia medicine Procrit, arthritis treatment Remicade and attention deficit disorder drug Concerta all fell short of analyst targets for the quarter ... Sales of arthritis drug Remicade rose almost 6 percent to 1 ... Even so, Remicade growth was far from the 24 percent seen in the second quarter. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
J&J Boosts 2009 Outlook; Reports Q3 Net Up 1.1% Oct 14, 2009
On the positive side, sales of arthritis drug Remicade rose 6% to $1. 04 billion. (SmartMoney)
J&J wheels and deals, awaits new product approvals Oct 10, 2009
Earlier this month, the European Union approved Simponi, a successor drug to the blockbuster biotech treatment Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis and other immune disorders ... Meanwhile, the FDA in August required stronger warnings on Remicade, Simponi and some similar drugs, stating they can increase risk of cancer in children and adolescents. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Drug May Help Colitis Patients Avoid Surgery Oct 6, 2009
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with the drug infliximab (Remicade) reduced the need for surgery in ulcerative colitis patients by almost half, a new study found. Ulcerative colitis causes chronic inflammation of the colon and often leads to surgical removal of the colon (colectomy). (MEDLINEplus)
Skin-disease Patients Show Brain Immunity To Faces Of Disgust Aug 28, 2009
14, 2005) An international team led by a dermatologist at The University of Manchester has found that treatment with the emerging drug infliximab, marketed as Remicade, can quickly and significantly improve. (Mar. (Science Daily)
Scientists Make "Sugar Bug" Drug for Bowel Disease Aug 25, 2009
Current therapies include a group of injectable drugs that block an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), such as Johnson on's Remicade, Abbott's Humira and UCB's Cimzia. Carding and colleagues reported in the journal Gut that the treatment was effective in mice with colitis, reducing bleeding and accelerating healing, and he said he is confident it should also work in other bowel disorders. (MEDLINEplus)
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers May Help Some with Rheumatoid Arthritis Aug 8, 2009
After three to four months, the 258 patients with an inadequate response to methotrexate were randomly assigned to receive either the TNF blocker infliximib (Remicade) or the conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. After 12 months, 39 percent of patients given infliximib achieved a good response, compared with 25 percent of patients given sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. (MEDLINEplus)
Merck shareholders OK Schering-Plough deal Aug 8, 2009
J&J argues a change-of-control provision in its contract with Schering-Plough allows it to take all revenue from the drugs Remicade and newly approved successor Simponi and has started arbitration proceedings to press its suit. Merck has removed what looked to be the only other significant hurdle to closing the deal, announcing plans last Thursday to sell its half-interest in the Merial animal health business to partner Sanofi-Aventis SA for $4 billion. (MSNBC -- Business)
Warnings strengthened on arthritis drugs Aug 6, 2009
The FDA will bolster the "black box" warning on the five drugs sold in the United States, including Abbott Laboratories' Humira, Johnson on's Remicade and Simponi, and Enbrel, which is co-marketed by Amgen Inc. and Wyeth. All the products are multibillion-dollar sellers. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Certain Arthritis, Crohn's Drugs May Raise Kids' Cancer Risk Aug 6, 2009
Agency strengthens 'black box' warning on medicines such as Enbrel, Remicade ... They include Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) and Simponi (golimumab). (MEDLINEplus)
Newsweek: The next blockbuster drugs Jul 23, 2009
Popular competing drugs are Johnson & Johnson's Remicade, with expected sales of about $4. 3 billion this year, and Amgen Inc. and Wyeth's Enbrel, with expected sales of about $3. (MSNBC -- Health)
J&J posts lower 2Q profit, but still beats view Jul 16, 2009
The few bright spots included attention deficit drug Concerta and Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis. Sales of consumer products were down 4. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Abbott's profit dips in second quarter Jul 16, 2009
But sales of Humira, a newer injectable drug that has made inroads against Johnson on's Remicade and Wyeth's Enbrel, rose 20 percent to $1. 31 billion. (Crain's Chicago Business)
Stocks Extend Gains In Lighter Trade Jul 16, 2009
The jury ruled that Abbott Labs' (ABT) best-selling drug, Humira, violated rights tied to J&J's Remicade. The two biologic drugs each treat. (Investors Business Daily)
J&J profit falls but beats forecasts Jul 15, 2009
Revenue took a hit from patent expirations on its drugs for schizophrenia and epilepsy, but sales of its blockbuster arthritis drug Remicade were better than expected ... Caruso cited demand for Remicade, sales of which jumped 24 percent to 1. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Earnings Preview: J&J Sales Seen Down for 3rd Time Jul 11, 2009
Also in April, JFDA approval for U.S. sales of Simponi, a successor drug to the blockbuster biotech treatment Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis and other immune disorders. Partner Schering-Plough Corp. has rights to most foreign sales of the two products, but is being acquired by Merck p. (ABC News -- Wire)
Abbott shares slip on $1.7B jury verdict Jul 1, 2009
A Texas jury agreed with Johnson ons claim that Abbotts drug is based on technology developed by New York University and licensed to Jch uses it to make rival drug Remicade. Jnot ask the court to stop Abbott from selling its blockbuster drug. (Crain's Chicago Business)
Jury awards Centocor $1.7B in patent case against Abbott Jul 1, 2009
-based Centocor, a division of (NYSE:JNJ), makes the blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis treatment Remicade, and had sued Abbott over Abbott s arthritis drug, Humira ... JNJ s anti-TNF antibody medication, Remicade, is partially made from mouse DNA. JNJ did not launch a fully-human product until April 2009. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Jury Returns $1.67 Billion Drug Verdict Against Abbott Jun 30, 2009
The case involves Humira, Abbott's newer blockbuster drug that blocks tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, and which competes with Johnson on's older blockbuster medication Remicade. The company said in a statement it was pleased with the ruling, which showed its patent was "both valid and infringed." Remicade sales were $1 ... Remicade, on the other hand, is partly made from mouse DNA.. (ABC News -- Wire)
St. Michael's Hospital Avera Jun 17, 2009
Many medications can be given as outpatient infusions including chemotherapy for cancer patients, remicade for rheumatoid arthritis and crohn's disease, intraveous immune globulin (IVIG) for autoimmune disorder, anti-infectives for various types of infections and intravenous meds for osteoporosis when patients don't tolerate the oral form of medication. All patients receiving this service will need referrals from their phyicians. (Tyndall Tribune & Register, SD)
J&J Wants to Prevent, Cure Cancer in Five Years Jun 6, 2009
Funtleyder said Jed promising data for some drugs awaiting approval or in late testing, including Stelara for psoriasis and Simponi, a successor to blockbuster Remicade, which treats rheumatoid arthritis and a host of other immunological disorders. J is testing a drug that is in a promising new class of diabetes treatments called SGLT2 drugs, he noted, but getting approval from the Food and Drug Administration has not been easy of late. (Newsmax)
Two Drugs Better Than One for Crohn's Patients Jun 5, 2009
WEDNESDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Crohn's disease patients who received a combination of the drugs infliximab (Remicade) and azathioprine (Azasan) were more likely to have the disease go into steroid-free remission than those who received only one of the drugs, researchers say. The study was presented Tuesday at Digestive Disease Week 2009 in Chicago. (MEDLINEplus)
Johnson & Johnson files to end Schering-Plough relationship May 29, 2009
The agreement gives Schering-Plough foreign distribution rights for Centocor s Remicade and Simponi drugs, both approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Remicade generated sales of $2 ... Schering-Plough, of Kenilworth, N.J., posted revenue of more than $2 billion from Remicade sales last year. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Centocor exploring end to Remicade deal May 22, 2009
Centocor exploring end to Remicade distribution deal with Schering-Plough - Philadelphia Business Journal ... Centocor exploring end to Remicade distribution deal with Schering-Plough ... The distribution agreement covers sales in foreign markets of Centocor s Remicade rheumatoid arthritis therapy and its recently approved arthritis drug Simponi. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
J&J Seeks to Arbitrate Schering Remicade Deal May 21, 2009
Js to Arbitrate Schering Remicade Deal - ABC News ... Js to Arbitrate Schering Remicade Deal ... Jtrating to pull out of valuable Remicade partnership as Merck buys Schering-Plough. (ABC News -- Wire)
FDA approves UCB drug for rheumatoid arthritis May 14, 2009
Cimzia is the fourth in a class of drugs known as tumor necrosis factor blockers approved in the U.S. The three other products are each multibillion-dollar blockbusters: Abbott Laboratories' Humira, Johnson & Johnson's Remicade and Wyeth and Amgen's Enbrel ... Despite its relative advantage over those medicines, Cimzia will also have to compete with a new drug from J&J called Simponi, the follow-up to Remicade, which is injected monthly. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Centocor Ortho gets OK for Simponi Apr 28, 2009
Simponi, developed under the name golimumab, is a follow-up to Centocor s blockbuster drug Remicade, which is already approved for the same conditions as well as a dozen other indications ... Centocor Ortho Biotech and Schering-Plough which is in the process of merging with (NYSE:MRK) have a similar co-marketing deal for Remicade. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Analysts Look for News on Merck Tie-up, Key Drugs Apr 18, 2009
A question still hanging over the deal is what rival Johnson on will do under the change-of-control provisions in its lucrative partnership with Schering-Plough for rheumatoid arthritis treatment Remicade and a successor drug. If Jlenges the deal, Schering-Plough could possibly lose its roughly $2 billion a year in Remicade revenues. (ABC News -- Wire)
Abbotts growth engine sputters Apr 16, 2009
Competitors include Johnson ons Remicade and Amgens Enbrel. The slowdown also comes just as Abbott faces a fresh competitive threat from Johnson ons new rheumatoid arthritis drug, golimumab, which is expected to get FDA approval sometime in the third quarter. (Crain's Chicago Business)
* [Science] House dust yields clue to asthma: roaches Apr 9, 2009
Using the same mouse model, Remick is now studying the effects of various asthma treatments, including the anti-inflammatory drugs called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, like Remicade and Enbrel. The drugs, already used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, appear to derail a crucial immunologic compound that attracts eosinophils. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Chugai Defends Actemra Arthritis Drug After Stock Falls on Reported Death Mar 18, 2009
Other arthritis medicines include s Enbrel, s Remicade and s Humira, known as TNF inhibitors. They act by blocking an immune-system protein called tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a different mechanism than Actemra. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Battle Signs: Merck And J&J? Mar 11, 2009
Schering sells Jeumatoid arthritis blockbuster, Remicade, overseas ... Schering also has overseas rights to golimumab, a promising but still experimental follow-up to Remicade ... First, rights to Remicade and golimumab might just revert to JMerck and Schering would not have those sales. (Forbes -- Business)
Drugmakers in US$41b merger Mar 10, 2009
He noted that Schering-Ploughs overseas rights to arthritis drugs Remicade and Golimumab were worth that much. Reuters. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Merck's manoeuvres Mar 10, 2009
One difficulty for Merck is that the deal might jeopardise Schering-Plough s co-marketing agreement with Johnson & Johnson for Remicade, a money-spinning anti-inflammatory drug. But Mr Clark is confident the structure of the deal should guard against this. (The Economist)
Merck agrees to acquire Schering-Plough for $41 billion Mar 10, 2009
Shares of Schering-Plough rose more than 8 percent Friday amid speculation that the company was being pursued by either Merck or Johnson & Johnson, with which it operates a joint venture to market the arthritis drug Remicade outside the United States, a deal worth billions of dollars a year. Clark said in a conference call with analysts and journalists that the companies had discussed the Remicade deal with Johnson & Johnson, and that they expected to be able to continue the arrangement ... But... (International Herald Tribune)
Roche, Genentech in talks on $47 billion deal Mar 10, 2009
A big question is whether Merck will inherit Schering-Plough's overseas rights to nearly 2 billion-a-year Remicade and newer arthritis drug golimumab. Analysts expressed surprise at Merck's confidence it will not have to hand back the arthritis drug rights to Johnson on under a change of control clause. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Tech shares lead Wall Street lower Mar 10, 2009
The deal, however, could face a possible rival bid from Johnson & Johnson, which co-markets Remicade with Schering. Beaten-down shares of major banks rose, with Bank of America and Wells Fargo rising 18 percent after a week of trading that dragged banking stocks sharply lower, and sent shares of Citigroup tumbling to just above $1 a share. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
WHAT THEY SAY: Read the press release Mar 10, 2009
" Strategic Benefits of the Transaction -- Complementary Product Portfolios and Pipelines Focused on Key Therapeutic Areas: The combination significantly broadens Merck's portfolio of medicines - an engine for consistent, sustainable growth - driven in part by the addition of valuable products with long periods of exclusivity. By leveraging the combined company's expanded product offerings, Merck expects to benefit from additional revenue growth opportunities. For example, the combined company... (USA Today -- Money)
Drugs That Increase Health Insuranc... Mar 3, 2009
Remicade (arthritis, ulcerative colitis) ; $27,800 to $35,000 per patient ... Remicade and Enbrel are the highest costing drugs, experiencing higher usage from older age groups. (Suite101.com)
Obama's Health Plan Would Mean Higher Taxes for Nation's Highest Earners Feb 26, 2009
The list of drugs that could be replaced by cheaper generics include some of biggest sellers for pharmaceutical companies, such as Remicade, which generated $3. 75 billion last year; Aranesp, with $3. (Bloomberg -- US)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Raise Shingles Risk Feb 19, 2009
In September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel and Remicade to bolster safety warnings on the risk of developing opportunistic fungal infections ... In the latest study, researchers from the German Rheumatism Research Centre in Berlin looked at 5,040 people taking the TNF blockers infliximab (Remicade) or adalimumab (Humira), the fusion protein etanercept (Enbrel) or the monotherapeutic drug anakinra (Kineret) ... Although generally... (MEDLINEplus)
Schering-Plough and Merck beat expectations Feb 8, 2009
Merck reported a 16 percent decline in sales of its Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine, and cut its expectation for the product's sales this year, while sales of Schering-Plough's Remicade arthritis drug missed analyst forecasts. Some analysts say they believe Schering could be the next large pharmaceutical takeover target on the heels of Pfizer's $68 billion deal to acquire Wyeth because of its relatively digestible size and because none of its big products face generic competition any time soon. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
TNF-Blocker Therapy for RA May Trigger Psoriasis Feb 7, 2009
The incidence was significantly higher in patients treated with Humira (also known as adalimumab) than in those who received Enbrel (etanercept) or Remicade (infliximab). "These findings present an interesting paradox," Hyrich pointed out, "as anti-TNF therapies are very effective in the treatment of severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The explanation behind these reported cases remains largely unknown.". (MEDLINEplus)
