Akzo Nobel

SPOTLIGHT: FDA rejects Glaxo depression drug

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:53 -0500

The FDA has turned thumbs down on GlaxoSmithKline's gepirone ER for major depression. Glaxo had licensed the drug from Fabre-Kramer after Akzo Nobel had bowed out of an earlier partnership. Analysts gave the drug some significant earnings potential, but have been wary of the drug's earlier problems with the FDA. Release

Schering-Plough buoyed by asenapine data

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Researchers say that Organon's asenapine was just as effective in controlling episodes of acute mania in two late-stage trials as Eli Lilly's Zyprexa--a drug widely considered the gold standard for this indication. Organon is a subsidiary of Akzo Nobel which is being acquired by a resurgent Schering-Plough. Asenapine is widely viewed as one of Organon's brightest drug prospects and a key reason why Schering-Plough agreed to pay $15.6 billion for the company. The data from the two Phase III clinical studies were presented this week at the 20th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress. Questions have been raised about asenapine's potential ever since Pfizer bailed out of a collaboration on the therapy after a trial failed to establish its superiority to approved therapeutics.

"The complex nature of bipolar disorders suggests that we should have many treatment options available to physicians and patients," said Roger S. McIntyre, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto. "As such, a new therapy that provides efficacy while also providing improved tolerability is critical in helping fill this unmet need."

- here's the release on the Phase III data

Related Articles:
Schering-Plough: A good company to work for. Report
Schering-Plough pays $14.4B for Organon. Report
Organon to split from Akzo Nobel. Report

Read more on: Schering-Plough | Zyprexa

The Top 5 Buyouts of 2007

Maureen Martino — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 08:05:47 -0400

As the industry's biggest players wrestle for the upper hand in the competitive drug development world, companies are snapping up small biotechs to fill their pipelines. Check out the top five biggest buyouts of the first half of 2007.

1. AstraZeneca buys MedImmune for $15.6B

Finally bowing to the demands of investors, in April Maryland-based vaccine giant MedImmune put itself on the auction block. Just two weeks later, AstraZeneca swooped in and paid a hefty for $15.6 billion in cash for the company. At $58 a share, AstraZeneca paid a 21 percent premium to shareholders--53 percent over what MedImmune was trading for when the $9 billion company announced that it was for sale. With the purchase of MedImmune, AstraZeneca--which has been struggling to fill its pipeline after several late-stage failures--gained FluMist and Synagis along with 45 pipeline programs.

2. Schering-Plough pays $14.4B for Organon.Back in August of 2006, Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel announced would ask shareholders to approve a plan to split the company into two. Akzo Nobel was to focus on coatings and chemicals and Organon BioSciences would work on developing the pharmaceutical product pipeline, with plans to go public early this year. But Akzo Nobel abandoned plans to take Organon public and snatched up a 37 percent premium for the operation in a deal to sell the company to Schering-Plough for $14.4 billion.

The deal gave Schering-Plough the world's third-largest maker of birth control pills and an overnight boost of 50 percent to its revenue line. The company also gained experimental drugs for women's health and the central nervous system. The buyout was one of a string of new drug purchases by Schering-Plough CEO Fred Hassan, who has earned kudos as he engineers a company restructuring.

3. Mylan inks $6.6B deal for Merck KgAA generic drug biz

After a long bidding war, Mylan finally beat out Ranbaxy, Cipla, Teva, Actavis and others for the rights to buy Merck KgAA’s generic drug business for $6.6 billion dollars. Merck decided to sell the unit in part to help finance its $13.3 acquisition of Serono. In addition, the company will be beefing up its pipeline with the acquisition of late-stage drugs and in increased focus on vaccines.

For its part, Mylan is aiming to become a worldwide leader in the generics market. Last year the drugmaker acquired Matrix Laboratories, giving it access to markets in India, China and Africa as well as a distribution network in Europe. According to Robert J. Coury, Mylan's CEO, the purchase of Merck KgAA’s generic unit was a perfect compliment to the Matrix acquisition.

4. Shire snares New River Pharma in $2.6B buyout

In February, Shire agreed to pay $2.6 billion for New River Pharmaceuticals. The deal gave Shire the ADHD drug Vyvanse, which received FDA approval just one week after the buyout. For Shire, the buyout provides a new product to take the place of Adderall, its blockbuster ADD drug which will lose patent protection in 2009. Shire and New River struck a collaboration pact on Vyvanse two years ago.

5. Digene agrees to $1.6B takeover by Qiagen

Gaithersburg, MD-based Digene was purchased by Netherlands-based Qiagen for $1.6 billion in a marriage of diagnostics outfits. Prior to the takeover, the two companies had an aggreement for Qiagen to manufacture Digene's Rapid Capture System, which labs need for three of Digene's diagnostic tests. The agreement led to merger talks between the two companies. Analysts say the acquisition will give Qiagen a leg up in the expanding market for HPV testing.

Press Release: Organon Announces Acquisition of Kadmus Pharmaceuticals' FAAH Inhibitor Technology

Maureen Martino — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:45:33 -0400

Organon Announces Acquisition of Kadmus Pharmaceuticals' FAAH Inhibitor Technology

OSS, the Netherlands and IRVINE Calif., June 26, 2007 – N.V. Organon, the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel, today announced an asset purchase of the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) technology from Kadmus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Irvine CA (USA).

Under the asset purchase agreement, Organon has acquired world-wide rights and control of all assets relating to FAAH owned or controlled by Kadmus Pharmaceuticals. These assets include KDS-4103, a phase 1-ready compound under exclusive license from the University of California at Irvine; several patent families owned by Kadmus; and the Kadmus compound library including novel second generation FAAH inhibitors. In addition, Organon has agreed to employ a majority of Kadmus staff to ensure appropriate transfer of the technology and has maintained Kadmus Pharmaceuticals’ relationship with one of the founders, Dr. Daniele Piomelli. The transaction includes an upfront payment to Kadmus and future success-based milestone payments for the lead compound and any back-up and/or follow-on compounds developed and commercialized.

David Nicholson, executive vice president Research and Development at Organon added: "We are excited to bring this technology in house which complements our cannabinoid programs. Kadmus has done a great job of advancing the technology to this point. With this acquisition Organon gains a competitive program and know-how in this novel target with potentially broad therapeutic applicability."

"We spent several years developing this exciting FAAH inhibitor technology and recently performed a comprehensive search for the appropriate partner to take it to the next level. We are pleased to announce that Organon will continue to move the FAAH inhibitor program into clinical and commercial development. The Organon team worked diligently to ensure a successful transaction and we look forward to the continued success of the FAAH program under their business and scientific leadership", commented Patrick Walsh, CEO of Kadmus Pharmaceuticals.

About FAAH

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a mammalian integral membrane enzyme that has been shown to catalyze the degradation of the fatty acid ethanolamide (FAE) family of endogenous signaling lipids, including the endogenous cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonist anandamide, thus terminating their effects.

Kloosterstraat 6, NL-5349 AB Oss Molenstraat 110, NL-5342 CC Oss 16021731 Bank ABN AMRO 45.30.63.837 www.organon.com Date June 26, 2007 Page 2 of 2

Inhibitors of FAAH are being developed as promising new pharmacological agents that selectively augment endogenous cannabinoid ("endocannabinoid") activity without the side effects associated with global CB receptor activation. This class of agents shows considerable promise for treating several types of pain, anxiety, depression and other potential spin-off indications. The acquired compounds are very potent, highly selective and orally active. It is believed that these characteristics, along with a novel mechanism of action make this class of compounds an excellent opportunity in new drug development.

About Organon Organon creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of innovation and business partnerships, Organon seeks to leverage its position as a leading biopharmaceutical company in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology and selected areas of anesthesia. It has extensive expertise in neuroscience and a rich and focused R&D program. Research areas also include immunology and specific areas of oncology. Organon products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, of which more than 50 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human healthcare business unit of Akzo Nobel.

About Kadmus

Kadmus is a privately-held, venture-capital backed biotechnology company created to exploit opportunities in the endocannabinoid field. With the successful asset sale of its key technology, Kadmus has sub-licensed its laboratory and corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA to Organon. The Kadmus board of directors include Dr. Robert McNeil of Sanderling Ventures, Jeff Courtney of VenGrowth Venture Partners, Annette Bianchi of VantagePoint Venture Partners, Dr. Mark Cochran of NeuroVentures Fund, and CEO Patrick Walsh.

For more information:

Organon Kadmus

Elina Daamen Patrick Walsh, CEO Kadmus Pharmaceuticals Inc

Media Relations 101 Theory, Suite 100

Tel: +31 (0)412-663685 Irvine, CA 92617, USA

E-mail:elina.daamen@organon.com Tel: (949)725-3700 ext.11

www.organon.com Email: pwalsh@kadmuspharma.com

Safe Harbor Statement Organon*

This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel’s growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company’s corporate website www.akzonobel.com. The 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available in the second quarter of 2007.

Merck KGaA confirms possible sale of generics unit

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:01:34 -0500

Germany's Merck KGaA has confirmed yesterday's rumor that it is considering the sale of its generics drug business. A sale would net billions of dollars for the drug company, which also announced that it had completed the acquisition of Switzerland's Serono and is focusing on new drug development. Israel's Teva, Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis have been named as potential suitors. The global generics business has seen a wave of buyouts over the past year as the industry consolidates around a short list of key players.

- see this release for more
- here's the AFX report on the confirmation
- here's the report from Globes on possible suitors
- more on suitors from this AFX report

ALSO: A Dutch newspaper claims that Akzo Nobel is in talks to sell its Organon drug subsidiary. Report

Pfizer bails out on collaboration with Organon

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:01:38 -0500

Pfizer has decided to drop out of its collaboration with Organon to develop asenapine for schizophrenia and bipolar disease after completing a review of the compound and its place in the pharma giant's "overall portfolio." Last October researchers issued interim Phase III data that suggested they may not have enough evidence to back an NDA. Organon says it will push ahead on its own for now, and may look for another partner to complete work on the drug. In the meantime, Organon parent company Akzo Nobel says the move by Pfizer to drop out of the program will not alter a planned stock flotation for Organon. Pfizer is returning all intellectual property rights and data to Organon as part of an "orderly" transfer on asenapine.

- check out Pfizer's brief release on the split
- see Organon's press release
- here's the AFX report on Pfizer's move

Related Articles:
Organon, Schering end male contraceptive deal. Report
Organon to split from Akzo Nobel. Report
Akzo shares slide on mixed asenapine results. Report

Press Release: Organon continues with the development of asenapine

Maureen Martino — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:25:08 -0500

Organon continues with the development of asenapine

Tuesday, November 28, 2006 (Arnhem, The Netherlands)

Organon has decided to continue with the development of asenapine. This follows on from the decision taken by Organon and Pfizer to discontinue their collaboration in the further development of asenapine, a new drug candidate for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania associated with Bipolar I Disorder.

The results of the final Phase III clinical trial with respect to schizophrenia, which were recently received, were positive. This is in addition to the previous positive data on safety and tolerability for this indication. Organon will now assess if further clinical trials are necessary. Organon has data on efficacy, safety and tolerability for the treatment of Bipolar I Disorder and the positive data on the treatment of schizophrenia.

Pfizer’s decision to discontinue its participation in the asenapine development program is an outcome of a commercial analysis of the compound as a part of its overall portfolio.

The interim assessment of the Phase III trial results made available in October led to the caution that the results might not be sufficiently conclusive to warrant an NDA filing with the FDA in 2007. This has not changed.

Toon Wilderbeek, the Akzo Nobel Board member responsible for Pharma, who is also President of Organon, said today: “The satisfactory results of the final Phase III clinical trial – in the context of the complete Phase III clinical trial data set for asenapine – is an important milestone in the development of asenapine. We have now completed a crucial phase of the program and we will assess if further trials might still be required in order to be able to submit a strong NDA file.“

He continued: “We are pleased to now have the opportunity to pursue a go-to-market strategy for asenapine which is more closely aligned with our planning and positioning for this product candidate. We will evaluate whether we need a partner to commercialize asenapine in selected geographic areas in due course. Although Organon is disappointed with the withdrawal, the company appreciates the positive contribution Pfizer has made to the development of asenapine.”

Willem de Laat, Organon’s Executive Vice-President Medical Affairs, added: “Patients treated for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are frequently faced with significant unmet needs. Compliance remains an issue for the majority and many switch to other medication for a variety of reasons – including tolerability, side effects and administration forms. Therefore it is important to offer other options that address a patient’s real-life needs and that will bring relief to those seeking alternative treatment.”

The Phase III trial program for the initial NDA submission consisted of schizophrenia and bipolar mania trials involving more than 2,000 and 950 patients, respectively. Asenapine, a fast-dissolving, novel psychopharmacologic agent with a unique human receptor signature, was shown to be effective in two out of four short-term schizophrenia studies, two short-term bipolar mania studies with a nine- week extension. One schizophrenia study failed (both asenapine and the active comparator did not differentiate from placebo) and one study was negative for asenapine on its primary endpoint (asenapine did not discriminate at end point from placebo, while the active comparator did).

The safety profile of asenapine, derived from a long-term 1,200 patient safety study and efficacy studies, is in line with the profile as found in phase II studies, i.e. minimal effects on weight gain, QTc, metabolic parameters and liver parameters, and is considered to be adequate for the treatment of schizophrenic and bipolar patients. Details of the efficacy and safety results will be communicated during scientific meetings in due course.

Pfizer will return all product rights, intellectual property and data to Organon and make orderly transitions during 2007.

Akzo shares slide on mixed trial results

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 20:01:34 -0400

Shares of Akzo Nobel slid after the drug developer announced mixed results in a Phase III trial of asenapine for schizophrenia. The drug's performance in another half of the study devoted to acute mania associated with bipolar disorder was positive. But analysts quickly seized on the uncertain results for the drug in schizophrenia, noting that Akzo needs to clearly distinguish the drug from others in the field.

- read the report on Akzo from MarketWatch

Related Article:
Organon to split from Akzo Nobel. Report

Organon, Schering end male contraceptive deal

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Akzo Nobel's NV arm Organon and Schering have announced that they will discontinue their collaboration on the development of a male hormonal contraceptive. In a press release, Organon and Schering noted that while their work together was constructive, they "came to the conclusion that the administration route investigated in the trial, which combined an annual implant with three-monthly injections, would unlikely result in a product that would be acceptable for widespread everyday use." Their collaboration began in 2002 and the companies said that they'll part ways when a current Phase II trial is completed.

- check out the press release for more on the break-up

Organon to split from Akzo Nobel

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 20:01:39 -0400

Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel announced that on September 7, it will ask shareholders to approve a plan to split the company into two. Akzo Nobel will focus on coatings and chemicals and Organon BioSciences will work on developing the pharmaceutical product pipeline. The company had already planned to spin off Organon and hopes the company will go public early next year. A lot of the new company's success will rest on the result of Organon's Asenapine, an anti-depressant drug currently in Phase III testing. However, it seems that Akzo Nobel will go ahead with the split regardless of the outcome of the trial. "The strategic decision has been taken to separate the company into a chemicals and coatings unit, and a pharmaceuticals unit, and this process will continue," stated Keith Nichols, Akzo Nobel's senior vice president of finance.

- for more, read this AP report

ALSO NOTED: Serologicals inks deal with Novozymes; Bayer acquires Metrika; and much more...

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> Serologicals and Novozymes have inked a deal to market an animal-free recombinant human albumin for use in biotech drug development. Report

> Bayer Diabetes Care has acquired Metrika, a company that makes a diabetes monitoring system. Report

> Javelin Pharmaceuticals has received a $750,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant to push the development of PMI-150 for pain control. Report

> Stork NV says it plans to buy the Technical Services unit of Akzo Nobel in the Netherlands. Report

> The FDA has approved ZARS Pharma's topical local anesthetic peel developed under the name of S-Caine Peel. Release

> Amarillo Biosciences has submitted an INDA to begin a study of orally delivered interferon alpha in 60 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Release

> An independent monitoring board has recommended continuation of Theratechnologies' Phase III trial of the experimental HIV therapy TH9507. Release

And Finally… New research indicates that drinking does considerably more neurological damage to teens than adults. Article

Cypress halts trial for sleep apnea therapy

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:01:35 -0400

Cypress Bioscience has pulled the plug on its development program for a combination therapy including mirtazapine for sleep apnea. Phase IIa results don't warrant further investigation, researchers say. Cypress and Organon--a division of Akzo Nobel--each conducted independent studies and are now looking at alternatives to continue their collaboration.

- here's the report on Cypress from StreetInsider.com

ALSO NOTED: DrugAbuse Science to raise $25.2M in an IPO; Covance inks a $187M contract; and much more...

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> France's DrugAbuse Science plans to raise $25.2 million in an IPO. Much of that money will be used to mount late-stage trials of Naltrexone Depot. The market for drug and alcohol abuse therapies has been growing steadily. Report

> Powerful U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he plans to confront the Department of Health and Human Services over information about the controversial antibiotic Ketek that he says was never disclosed by the FDA. Report (WSJ sub. req.)

> Akzo Nobel's Nobilon International business, active in the field of human vaccines, is to work together with the Dutch Erasmus Medical Center's spin-off CoroNovative BV to expand and accelerate CoroNovative's virus discovery program. Release

> Shares of Covance were on the rise after it announced a $187 million contract. Report

> First Horizon Pharmaceutical has gained orphan status for an experimental therapy that prevents drooling in children with neurological conditions. Report

> Advanced Magnetics stock surged on the news that an independent committee found no safety concerns involved in a late-stage study of a new product--ferumoxytol iron replacement therapy. Report

And Finally... An advocacy group has sued Kentucky Fried Chicken in an effort to force the company to stop using partially hydrogenated oils in the Colonel's secret recipe. Article

ALSO NOTED: BioMarin gets Orapred approval; FDA rejects Organon app; and much more...

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> The FDA has approved BioMarin Pharmaceutical's disintegrating tablet form of Orapred for pediatric acute asthma. Report

> The FDA has rejected a bid by Akzo Nobel's Organon to market tibolone to women with menopausal symptoms. Report

> India's national strategy for biotechnology has, so far, failed to get past a draft version. Report

> Genentech says that a Phase IIIb trial of Lucentis met its primary endpoint of preventing vision loss. Report

> Generex Biotechnology has raised $13.5 million in a private placement. Release

> OSI Pharmaceuticals announced yesterday that data from a mid-stage trial showed that Macugen prevented a type of vision loss better than a placebo. Report

> The FDA has approved Ranbaxy's application to produce a generic version of Bioglan's Adoxa. Report

> The FDA has given final approval to Watson Pharmaceuticals' generic version of the birth control medicine Levlite. Report

And Finally… Japan's birth rate continues to decline, presenting a series of challenges as the population shrinks. Article

ALSO NOTED: Sanofi-Aventis takes stake in Zentiva; Keryx sells shares; and much more...

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Sanofi-Aventis has spent $518 million to acquire a 25 percent stake in the Czech generics drug business Zentiva, with plans to expand into Russia and eastern Europe. Release

> Keryx Biopharmaceuticals plans to sell $82 million in shares to institutional investors. Report

> The FDA has approved extended dosing of Amgen's Aranesp for chemo-induced anemia. Report

> Santarus shares were boosted on the news that the FDA has approved its immediate-release heartburn treatment Zegerid. Santarus, though, said it does not expect to begin marketing the therapy this year. Report

> Idera Pharmaceuticals has raised $19.5 million in new funding. The company expects to use the money to develop Idera's pipeline of Toll-like receptor-based drug candidates--including funding its Phase II trial of IMO-2055 in renal cell cancer and its ongoing Phase I/II trial of IMO-2055 in combination with chemotherapy in solid tumors, as well as the pre-clinical development of a lead compound for infectious diseases, IMO-2125. Release

> Colorado's biotech industry is pushing new legislation that would provide $15.5 million in support. Report

> The Boston Globe profiles the work Cubist Pharmaceuticals has done on Cubicin, which researchers believe can fight staph aureus in the bloodstream. Article

> The FDA has issued an approvable letter for a supplemental NDA for Cubicin. Release

> Akzo Nobel hopes to reveal some Phase III data for the antipsychotic drug asenapine prior to the IPO of its pharma unit. Report

> One of the two men left in critical condition when a drug trial of TGN1412 in the U.K. took a disastrous turn has shown signs of significant improvement. Report

And Finally… University researchers say genetically engineered pigs may soon offer up bacon and chops rich in the kind of omega-3 fatty acids that improve our health. Article

DEALS: Caliper to buy Xenogen in $80M deal

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:01:32 -0500

Caliper to buy Xenogen in $80M deal

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
Caliper Life Sciences	Xenogen	$80M buyout	Xenogen makes cells, microorganisms and mice for research work.
GlaxoSmithKline	Pliva	$50 million R&D buyout	GSK acquires the R&D unit of Croatia's Pliva, which has specialized in developing antibiotics.
Pliva	Uso Racional	Acquisition	Pliva's buyout of Novartis' Spanish subsidiary fits into plan to focus on generics.
Genospectra	Panomics	Merger	Deal adds new operations for research reagents for transcription regulation, cell signaling and signal transduction.
Elan Corporation	Eisai	Acquisition of European rights to Prialt	The deal, for up to $100 million, nets Eisai the European market for the chronic pain therapy.
Akzo Nobel's Intervet	Bayer	Facility acquisition	Intervet adds a new vaccine production facility to its portfolio.
Cambrex Bio Science Walkersville	Cutanogen	Acquisition	The deal for $1.5 million in cash plus potential milestones adds business focused on treating severe burns.
Wulfing Holding	Myogen GmbH	Acquisition	Wulfing gains the European arm of Myogen and sublicenses heart failure therapy, Perfan IV.

Akzo to spin off drug unit in IPO

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Akzo Nobel is spinning off its pharmaceutical unit in an IPO. The unit will be called Organon Biosciences and will trade on the Amsterdam exchange. The timing of the IPO will depend on pipeline development issues with a full separation of the business expected to take two or three years. "After a thorough strategic review, we believe that creating two independent companies... will enhance shareholder value through both increased management and strategic focus, and greater transparency," Akzo chief Hans Wijers told reporters. One analyst estimated the potential value of the IPO at €5.5 billion.

- read this MarketWatch report

ALSO NOTED: NitroMed raising funds; PharmaGap releases data; NexMed garners $8M; and much more...

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> NitroMed is raising more than $58 million through the sale of 6.1 million shares in order to launch its first product. Report

> PharmaGap has released the first animal efficacy data for its novel lead drug compound, PhGalpha1, a selective inhibitor of Protein Kinase C-alpha. Release

> NexMed of Robbinsville, NJ, has raised more than $8 million through the sale of securities. Release

> Akzo Nobel's chemicals subsidiary is closing a facility in The Netherlands and laying off 300 workers. Report

> Shares of Cozart surged after the medical diagnostics company announced a new deal with Philips Electronics to develop a new biosensor system. Report

And Finally… Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a group of doctors maintains that the flow of freebies from drug companies and medical device makers undermines medical care in the United States. Article

Akzo Nobel starts work on avian flu vaccine

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:01:38 -0400

Dutch drug developer Akzo Nobel has begun developing a human vaccine for the H5N1 avian flu virus. The company's veterinarian unit already makes a vaccine to protect animals from the virus. The vaccine is still in an early stage, though. Human trials are expected to begin next year.

- read this AFX report for more

ALSO: Roche said it is expanding production of Tamiflu and is ready to engage in talks with any governments or other manufacturers interested in expanding supplies of the antiviral drug. Report

PLUS: Greek officials have confirmed that bird flu has arrived in their country and are testing to see if it is the same H5N1 strain that has now infected birds in Romania and Turkey as it moves westward. Article

FINALLY: British flu experts say that the chances of a pandemic breaking out increase as the virus spreads in bird populations around the world. Report

ALSO NOTED: Akzo agrees on Remeron settlement; Isis grants drug license; KV gets OK in Singapore; and much more...

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:00:50 -0400

> Akzo Nobel will pay out $75 million to settle remaining claims that the company improperly delayed the release of a generic version of its antidepressant Remeron. Story

> Isis Pharmaceuticals of Vancouver has granted an exclusive license to iCo to develop its antisense drug ISIS 13650. Release

> KV Pharmaceutical has received approval to market its vaginal cream Gynazole in Singapore. Release

> Regeneration Technologies is raising $23.9 million through a private placement. Release

> American Pharmaceutical Partners says that its planned renovation of its Melrose Park, Illinois, manufacturing plant will take longer than anticipated. Release

And Finally… The FDA is reviewing how to regulate renewed use of leeches and maggots in healthcare. Article