alpharma

King nabs Alpharma for $1.6B

Calisha Myers — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:32:19 -0500

King Pharmaceuticals, which has been courting Alpharma for months now, has finally gotten its wish. Alpharma rejected King's first offer of $1.4 billion back in September--although it was a 49 percent premium over Alpharma's share price on August 4. And again slammed King's tender offer of $37 a share last month, calling the offer "financially inadequate." Although Alpharma claimed it had other companies interested in a buyout, King pushed foward with the hostile bid. But today the companies announced a $1.6 billion merger agreement under which Alpharma shareholders will sell to King for it's latest offer of $37 a share. The tender offer that was to expire on Friday has now been extended until December 19. The sell is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

So why the change of heart? Well, King had threatened a proxy battle if Alpharma continued to reject its offers. But here's how Alpharma puts it: "The transformation of Alpharma over the past two years has created tremendous shareholder value, and we have consistently said that we will act in the best interest of shareholders," commented Dean Mitchell, Alpharma's President and CEO. "Therefore, after careful evaluation, our Board determined that a combination with King is in the best interest of our shareholders and provides them immediate access to this value. We believe the combined company has a compelling strategic logic and will create a strong company for both shareholders and employees. We look forward to working with King's team to integrate our companies."

- check out the joint release

FDA: Embeda could carry abuse risk

Maureen Martino — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:17:00 -0500

FDA staffers have expressed concern that Alpharma's powerful painkiller Embeda could be abused even though the company designed the drug not to be. Embeda contains morphine sulfate and Duramorph. Alpharma designed the med to be effective when taken as directed, but to be abuse-resistant if used orally. The FDA, however, says the drug could still be crushed and injected by addicts.

"[I]t is unknown what the potential effects of injecting this product following manipulation," wrote the FDA. "Since [Alpharma] only tested the effects of manipulation orally, we recommend consideration be given during evaluation of the application as to whether these known methods of misuse and abuse are impacted by the abuse deterrents in Embeda."

Embeda will be reviewed by an outside panel of experts Friday. Cowen and Co. analyst Ian Sanderson said he expects the drug to be approved, but that the FDA may be looking for labeling advice and a risk management program.

- see this report for more

King extends offer in hostile bid for Alpharma

John Carroll — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:51:56 -0400

King Pharmaceuticals isn't backing off its hostile bid to acquire Alpharma. Today King announced that it is extending its tender offer for Class A Alpharma shares to November 21. The $37 per share offer--a 54 percent premium over Alpharma's close the day before King made its original bid--had been scheduled to expire last Friday.

King says it has so far gained 18.8 million shares--about 45 percent of the outstanding shares. Its bid values Alpharma at $1.6 billion. Alpharma, meanwhile, has said that the offer is inadequate. But last week the two companies inked a confidentiality agreement that gives King the right to look over its books.

- check out the King release
- read the report from the New York Times

ALSO: Acura Pharmaceuticals and King Pharmaceuticals announced positive top-line data from a study assessing the abuse liability of Acurox Tablets. Acura release

King responds to Alpharma's rejection

Calisha Myers — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:19:34 -0400

After issuing its second bid, King warned Alpharma that it wouldn't take "no" for an answer. But earlier today Alpharma issued a statement rejecting King's bid of $37 a share, saying it had other parties in the wings interested in purchasing Alpharma. King responded with its own statement:

"Our $37 per share cash tender offer, which is not conditioned on financing, is the only outstanding offer for Alpharma and would provide its shareholders with a 67 percent premium over Alpharma's closing price on August 4, 2008, the date of our initial written offer," King said. "Given the uncertainty in the financial markets, we believe it is in the best interests of Alpharma stockholders to consummate our transaction as quickly as possible. Our management team and financial and legal advisors are available to meet with Alpharma immediately."

- read King's release

Alpharma rejects King's bid--again

Maureen Martino — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:55:31 -0400

King Pharmaceuticals can join the ranks of scorned suitors. Alpharma announced today that it has rejected the company's increased bid of $1.6 billion, or $37 per share, saying that it was "financially inadequate and not in the best interests of shareholders." King's originally bid $1.4 billion but Alpharma immediately declined the offer.

Once again, Alpharma urged shareholders not to act while the board explores other options. Those options include the possible sale of the company to King or to another party for a price in excess of $37.00 per share. Taking a page out of Carl Icahn's playbook, CEO Dean Mitchell said that other (unnamed) companies are considering bidding for the company, and that one potential suitor has already made a offer over $37 per share. "[W]e have received expressions of interest from multiple parties who contacted us following King's public disclosure of its proposal or who our financial advisors solicited at our request," Mitchell said in a statement. "We have entered into confidentiality agreements with a number of these parties who have now begun their due diligence review, and have already received a written preliminary indication of interest for a business combination from a party that includes a per share price in excess of the King offer of $37 per share."

When King made it's second bid, the company warned that any further resistance from Alpharma would be met with a proxy battle for control of the company's board. Looks like we have yet another buyout fight to watch.

- see Alpharma's release

Alpharma considers King's offer

Maureen Martino — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:45:23 -0400

Following King Pharmaceuticals' beefed-up bid, Alpharma's board is urging shareholders not to take any action until they have decided whether or not to accept. The board will make a recommendation to Alpharma's shareholders within 10 business days following the commencement of the tender offer. "No assurance can be given that the process being undertaken by the Board will result in the announcement or consummation of a sale or other transaction with King Pharmaceuticals or any other party, and no assurance can be given with respect to the price or other value that may be obtained in any such transaction," Alpharma said in a statement. Release

King bumps Alpharma bid, threatens proxy fight

John Carroll — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:16:30 -0400

King Pharmaceuticals bumped its bid for Alpharma to $1.6 billion, an increase of 12 percent, and made it clear that it's ready to get hostile if Alpharma continues to play hard to get. King's offer now stands at $37 a share, a 67 percent premium over the August 4 close, just before King made its initial overture. Alpharma rejected that $33-per-share offer as too low.

In a letter, King called the higher bid a "compelling offer." And the pharma company is not taking no for an answer. Any further resistance will be met with a proxy battle for control of Alpharma's board, King warned.

"We have determined it is necessary to take our enhanced offer directly to Alpharma stockholders in order to deliver significant value to them as expeditiously as possible," said King Chairman and Chief Executive Brian A. Markison this morning. "We are committed to completing this transaction and remain willing to work cooperatively with Alpharma."

Investors have been looking for a higher bid all along, pushing the share price past the $33 level since the first bid was disclosed.

- here's King's release on the bid
- check out the report from the Wall Street Journal

Alpharma's Embeda relieves pain in Phase III

Maureen Martino — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:55:43 -0400

Alpharma's abuse-resistant pain drug effectively prevented pain in osteoarthritis patients with moderate to severe pain. More than 72 percent of Embeda (ALO-01) patients said they experienced at least 30 percent pain relief. Only 58 percent of the placebo group reported the same. Embeda is designed to be effective when taken as directed, but if tampered with by a drug abuser, the feeling of euphoria is dampened.

"We look forward to collaborating with the FDA during the review process for ALO-01, which, if approved, would be the first opioid medicine to provide a pharmacologic abuse-deterrent feature while effectively treating patients with chronic pain," said Joseph Stauffer, CMO of Alpharma.

Alpharma withdrew an NDA for the drug in April, citing "certain technical issues around data presentation." The company re-filed earlier this month.

- check out the Alpharma release
- read the WSJ article

Alpharma shares skyrocket on King's buyout offer

John Carroll — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:05:01 -0400

King Pharmaceuticals will try and join the billion-dollar buyout club with a $1.38 billion cash offer for Alpharma. King is offering $33 a share, a 37 percent premium on Thursday's close and a 49 percent premium over the share price on August 4, when it revealed its offer to Alpharma's board. Alpharma's directors voted to reject the offer, but King won't take no for answer. The company says it is ready to get hostile if necessary to push the acquisition through. And that sent Alpharma's shares through the roof this morning, soaring 46 percent.

Up to now, King Pharmaceuticals and Alpharma were competitors angling to seize the lead in a race to introduce new, abuse-resistant therapies for chronic pain. King and Pain Therapeutics have been pushing Remoxy while Alpharma resubmitted its marketing application for Embeda in June. The Fool noted recently that both programs could be approved by the end of the year, leading to hot competition in the first quarter of 2009.

"We believe this compelling combination would create a strong platform for sustainable long-term growth to better address the changing health care industry and provide meaningful, cost-effective medicines that improve the quality of life for patients," said King Pharmaceuticals Chief Executive Brian A. Markison in a statement.

The buyout offer marks the latest in a string of 10- and 11-figure buyout offers in recent weeks, with Roche angling for all of Genentech and BMS bidding for an elusive ImClone.

--see this release for more

Purdue jumps ahead in pain drug race

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

With three significant development programs at work on a tamper-free alternative to the blockbuster OxyContin franchise, Purdue Pharma is bracing for an upcoming FDA panel review of its new pain therapy formulation. Pain Therapeutics, Alpharma and Elite Pharmaceuticals all hope to gain approvals for their own therapies, notes Pharmalot. But Purdue plans to beat them to it.

No one knows exactly what makes the new Purdue therapy tamper-proof, but there have been hints about a certain "rubbery" quality to the new drug. Just a year ago executives with Purdue pleaded guilty to charges that they had misled regulators on the addictive risks presented by OxyContin, which brought in a billion dollars in sales last year.

- check out the report in Pharmalot

Alpharma withdraws painkiller NDA

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Alpharma has withdrawn its NDA for Embeda, its extended-release painkiller. While the company's drug qualified for priority review, Alpharma said that "certain technical issues around data presentation" prevented the FDA from evaluating the drug in the six month review time. There were no details on exactly what those technical issues were. Alpharma said it plans to quickly resolve the issues, re-submit the NDA and launch the drug in the first quarter of 2009.

In its most recent Phase III trial, Embeda demonstrated significant pain relief. The painkiller is designed to be effective when taken as directed, but if tampered with by a drug abuser, the feeling of euphoria is dampened.

- see Alpharma's release

ALSO NOTED: Dynogen goes public; Alpharma sells ingredients unit for $395M; Arizona launches new venture fund; and much more...

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> Dynogen Pharmaceuticals is going public in a buyout deal with Apex Bioventures Acquisition Corp. Dynogen shareholders will initially receive $98 million in the deal, with Dynogen merging with a subsidiary of Apex. Dynogen will be left with about $65 million in cash on hand for development work. Dynogen has been focused on irritable bowel syndrome, nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease and overactive bladder. Release

> Alpharma plans to sells its active pharmaceutical ingredients unit to 3i for $395 million and use the proceeds to grow its drug and animal health business. Release

> A group of Arizona biotech leaders has created the state's first venture fund for early-stage developers. Translational Accelerator gets started with $20 million for the biotech field, with the money slated for developers either in the state or coming to the state. Companies engaged in research for cancer and central nervous system diseases and diagnostics can qualify for loans of $500,000 to $2 million. Report

> Investor Carl Icahn (photo), who has specialized recently in upending several biotech companies, says he's planning to start blogging about some of his favorite issues, like executive compensation. Report

> Researchers are focusing on a more efficient method for breeding transgenic animals to produce proteins. Report

> The FDA has agreed to review UCB's Cimzia for rheumatoid arthritis. Report

> Cook Pharmica, a contract manufacturer, is planning an $80 million expansion of its Bloomington, IN plant. Report

> MethylGene and EnVivo Pharmaceuticals today announced that MethylGene has exercised its right to opt-out of further funding in its collaboration with EnVivo signed in February 2005. Release

> Biogen Idec reported a surge in profits in the fourth quarter as revenue from its two biggest therapies--Rituxan and Avonex--spiked. Report

> Puerto Rico is the birthing center for 13 of the 20 top-selling drugs in the U.S., but plants there have had repeated quality-control problems, according to an investigation by the Associated Press. Report

> The UK's Wellcome Trust says it will pump up its research spending by 60 percent over the next five years as it ambitiously seeks a better understanding of diseases at a genetic level. Report

> Reporters took Fosamax's patent expiration today as an opportunity to remind us all that 20 billion worth of drugs will go off patent this year, cutting big-time into Big Pharma's sales. Report

> Think before you click. That's the moral of today's tale, the story of a lawyer, a reporter and a $1 billion potential settlement that Eli Lilly wanted to keep quiet--but ended up all over the news. Report

And Finally... DNA from the Black Rat can be used to show how diseases have spread around the globe. Release

Alpharma touts Phase III pain drug data

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Alpharma today announced positive results from its Phase III trial for its extended-release opioid, ALO-01. The drug demonstrated significant pain relief, which was the primary endpoint of the trial. ALO-01 is designed to be effective when taken as directed, but if tampered with by a drug abuser, the feeling of euphoria is dampened. The company is planning to submit an NDA for the drug in the first half of 2008.

According to Nathaniel Katz, MD, "Alpharma's innovative approach to abuse deterrence holds significant promise for chronic pain patients and healthcare professionals as physicians may be more likely to choose ALO-01, if approved by the FDA, to treat moderate to severe pain than currently available opioid products which do not offer an abuse-deterrent mechanism."

- see the company's release

Related Articles:
Alpharma sub inks $202M deal for pain drug. Report
Alpharma to proceed with painkiller trial. Report
Investors bid up Alpharma stock on rumors of a sale. Report

DEALS: Isis, Alnylam form RNAi company

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:59:52 -0400

Isis, Alnylam form RNAi company

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
Alpharma	IDEA	$202 licensing deal	Alpharma has agreed to pay Germany's IDEA up to $202 million in upfront fees and milestones for the U.S. rights to the late-stage pain drug Diractin, a prescription topical NSAID.
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals	Biotest	$185M sale	Nabi Biopharmaceuticals plans to sell its biologics unit to Germany's Biotest for $185 million.
Boehringer Ingelheim	Ablynx	$103.5M partnership	Boehringer has signed a second agreement with Ablynx to develop and commercialize up to 10 different Nanobody therapeutics.
Medivation	Azimuth Opportunity	$100M stock deal	VC firm Azimuth Opportunity will purchase $100 million of Medivation's stock over the next 18 months as the drug developer pushes through a late-stage trial of an experimental Alzheimer's drug.
Meda	BioDelivery Sciences	$90M licensing deal	Meda will pay BioDelivery up to $90 million in exchange for a licensing deal covering the North American rights to BEMA Fentanyl, a new pain patch for cancer patients.
Ventana Medical Systems	Spring BioScience	$31M acquisition	Ventana Medical Systems has inked a deal to acquire Spring BioScience, which makes rabbit monoclonal antibodies and other reagents.
Isis Pharmaceuticals	Alnylam Pharmaceuticals	Company formation	Isis and Alnylam have teamed up to form Regulus Therapeutics, a company that will focus on developing new drugs based on micro-RNA.

Alpharma sub inks $202M deal for pain drug

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:59:57 -0400

A subsidiary of Alpharma has agreed to pay Germany's IDEA up to $202 million in upfront fees and milestones for the U.S. rights to the late-stage pain drug Diractin (ketoprofen in Transfersome gel), a prescription topical NSAID. The license includes access to IDEA's Transfersome technology platform, which delivers drugs locally to targeted areas. IDEA gets $60 million of that sum up front, $77 million in near-term milestones and up to $65 million conditioned on U.S. approval. IDEA is covering the costs of studying the drug, which is currently in Phase III.

"Diractin is the first of many targeted products with reduced side-effects that we see coming from the exploitation of the powerful Transfersome technology platform," commented John Mayo, joint managing general partner of Celtic Pharmaceutical Holdings, a private equity firm.

- see this release on the deal

Related Articles:
Alpharma to proceed with painkiller trial. Report
Alpharma, Shasun ink generic drug pact. Report
Investors bid up Alpharma stock on rumors of a sale. Report
Alpharma sells generic drug biz for $810M. Report

SPOTLIGHT: Alpharma licenses rights to NSAID patch

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:59:53 -0400

in deal with Institut Biochimique
Alpharma has struck a deal with Institut Biochimique for the exclusive license and distribution rights to market the Flector Patch, the first prescription topical NSAID patch approved by the FDA in the United States. Release

C&L: Frost resigns at ImClone

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:01:32 -0500

ImClone Systems' chief scientific officer Philip Frost has resigned.

Astex Therapeutics has hired John Aston as CFO and a member of its board of directors.

John Fess has been named CEO of Blue Heron Biotechnology. Fess succeeds John Mulligan, Ph.D., Blue Heron's founder who will become the company's board chairman and chief scientific officer.

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse has named John W. Manzetti as its new president and CEO.

Alpharma has hired Stefan Aigner, MD, as executive vice president, corporate and business development.

Thoratec has named David V. Smith executive vice president and CFO.

CytoGenix has appointed Pamela Schertz as interim CFO.

NovaDel Pharma has appointed David H. Bergstrom, Ph.D. as COO.

Mylan Laboratories has named David F. Mulder to the position of senior vice president, corporate and business development.

Spirogen has named J. Barrie Ward as a chairman of the board of directors and Christopher J. Pugh as chief business officer.

StemCells announced that Stephen Huhn, M.D., has accepted a position as vice president and head of the neural program, effective January 1. Dr. Huhn will be on leave from his positions as associate professor of neurosurgery and chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., formerly vice president, research and development, has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer and retains overall responsibility for the company's research and development efforts. Maria Millan, M.D., head of the liver program, has been appointed a vice president of the company. Dr. Alan Jacobs, former chief medical officer and vice president, clinical research, neural program, has left the company.

Medivation has named Sue Wollowitz, Ph.D., as vice president, chemistry and manufacturing.

ACCU-BREAK Pharmaceuticals has named Lawrence Rosenthal vice president of the company and president of its wholly-owned subsidiary, ACCU-BREAK Generics.

Bayhill Therapeutics has named Paul Westberg to the newly created position of vice president of business development.

Archemixhas named James McArdle, Ph.D., as vice president of chemistry, manufacturing and controls.

Victory Pharma announced that Deborah Wild has joined the company as vice president, manufacturing operations and quality systems.

INC Research has appointed Tetsushi Inada, Ph.D., as senior liaison officer to Japan.

Cerimon Pharmaceuticals has named Ayse Kocak vice president of marketing.

Ambit Biosciences has named Kerry Kelly, J.D., former associate general counsel for The Scripps Research Institute, as vice president and general counsel.

Cephalon has appointed Raj Khankari, Ph.D. as general manager of CIMA LABS, its wholly owned drug delivery subsidiary.

Dr. Donald Margouleff has joined Daxor as director of nuclear medicine.

Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers announced that Angela Byland has joined the firm as director, biologics regulatory affairs. Teresa M. Schroeder has joined the firm as director, spine clinical affairs.

Potentia Pharmaceuticals has named Armen H. Tashjian, Jr., M.D. to its scientific advisory board.

IRX Therapeutics announced that Jean Louis Lefebvre, M.D., ENT and head and neck surgeon has joined its medical advisory board.

Dr. Clive Patience Ph.D. has joined Sernova's scientific advisory board.

King Pharmaceuticals' board of directors has appointed Brian A. Markison to succeed Ted G. Wood as the chairman of the company's board.

Edward T. Shonsey, CEO of Diversa Corporation, has joined MetaMorphix's board of directors.

LAB Research has elected Stephen R. Farrell to its board of directors.

Ilypsa has named Samuel R. Saks, M.D., CEO of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, to its board of directors.

Allergan has appointed Dr. Deborah Dunsire to the company's board of directors.

PeriCor Therapeutics has named Larry G. Pickering to the company's board of directors.

C&L: Morhet chosen to run InNexus

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 20:01:32 -0400

InNexus Biotechnology has named Jeff Morhet as its new CEO and president. He succeeds Dr. Charles Morgan, who co-founded the company.

DOR BioPharma has appointed Christopher J. Schaber, Ph.D., as its new president and CEO to replace Michael T. Sember.

Synthetech has appointed Dr. Gregory Hahn as president and COO.

The former chief medical officer of Chiron BioPharmaceuticals, Stephen G. Dilly, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., has been named CEO of APT Pharmaceuticals.

Alpharma said that CFO Matthew T. Farrell has resigned to join another company.

Paul J. Price, Ph.D. has been named the chief scientific officer of D-Finitive Technologies.

Watson Pharmaceuticals has appointed Thomas R. Russillo executive vice president and president, U.S. Generics Division.

Idenix Pharmaceuticals has appointed John F. Weidenbruch to the position of executive vice president and general counsel.

Lipomics Technologies has hired Dr. Meeta Patnaik, MD for the newly created position of chief medical officer.

Adnexus Therapeutics has expanded its management team. Eric S. Furfine, Ph.D. holds the position of senior vice president of research and preclinical development, Charles R. Carter is the company's vice president, finance, and Erin E. Lanciani assumes the role vice president, human resources.

MDS Pharma Services has hired two industry experts: Dr. Claudio Carini, a leader for his work in developing and applying biomarkers to indicate the risk, presence and progression of diseases; and Suzanne Sensabaugh, recognized for her regulatory expertise in helping clients in the development of biopharmaceuticals.

MediciNova has named Mr. Okajima as vice president and head of the Japanese office.

Tasco Holdings is beginning a nationwide search for a quality assurance and regulatory affairs director.

ACCESS Pharmaceuticals has appointed Mark J. Ahn, Ph.D. to the board of directors of the company. In addition, Max Link, Ph.D., a board member since 1996, has announced his resignation.

EndGenitor Technologies has named Guido J. Neels to its board of directors.

Xenomics has named David Sidransky, M.D., of Johns Hopkins University to its board of directors.

Solexa has appointed A. Blaine Bowman and Roy A. Whitfield to its board of directors.

Surface Logix announced the appointment of W. James O'Shea to the company's board of directors.

C&L: Phase III Medical taps Robin Smith as CEO

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 20:01:32 -0400

Phase III Medical has named Robin L. Smith, MD, MBA as chairman of the board and CEO.

Alpharma has named Dean J. Mitchell president and CEO, effective July 1. Mitchell will succeed Ingrid Wiik, who previously announced she planned to retire as CEO once a successor was named.

Affibody AB has appointed Dr. Ulf Boberg CEO.

Quantum Genomics has appointed Lionel Ségard as CEO.

Isolagen has appointed Nicholas L. Teti, Jr. chairman and CEO.

David A. Evans Ph.D., CEO of WellGen, died on June 1 following a brief illness.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals has named Roger G. Mills, M.D., as executive vice president, development.

Cardium Therapeutics has named Gabor M. Rubanyi, M.D., Ph.D. chief scientific officer.

Gloucester Pharmaceuticals has named Jean C. Nichols, Ph.D., as executive vice president and chief scientific officer.

Ablynx has appointed Eva-Lotta Allan as chief business officer.

Enzo Biochem has named Andrew R. Crescenzo senior vice president of finance.

Affymax has named Kay Slocum as senior vice president of human resources.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals has appointed Ryan D. Maynard vice president of finance and acting chief financial officer.

Cerimon Pharmaceuticals has appointed James H. Welch CFO.

Allos Therapeutics has named James V. Caruso as executive vice president, chief commercial officer.

EntreMed has appointed Cynthia Wong, Esq. as vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Corgentech has named K. Peony Yu, M.D., vice president of clinical research and Michael Leong, M.D., director of clinical research.

ZIOPHARM Oncology has appointed Brian Schwartz, M.D., as senior vice president for medical and regulatory affairs and chief medical officer.

AAIPharma has appointed Victoria Winters to the position of vice president of European business development.

NPS Pharmaceuticals has named Francois Nader, MD, as chief medical and commercial officer.

Human Genome Sciences has hired Margery B. Fischbein as vice president, business development and strategic planning.

Vical Incorporated has appointed Ronald B. Moss, M.D., vice president, clinical development.

AnorMED announced that Elisabeth Whiting, vice president of communications, had stepped down from her post.

Theresa Kennedy has joined ResVerlogix as vice president corporate communications.

Xceleron has elected Philip Morgan as non-executive chairman of the board.

Crucell Chairman Pieter Strijkert will step down and be succeeded by fellow Supervisory Board member Jan Oosterveld.

Altair Nanotechnologies has elected Pierre Lortie to its board of directors.

Phytopharm has named A. D. Morrison, former CEO of Lipton Ltd, a non-executive board director.

Stem Cell Innovations has elected Lucio A. Noto to its board of directors.

iCo Therapeutics announced the appointment of Dr. Richard W. Barker and William Jarosz to its board of directors.

Biomira announced that Dr. Alex McPherson has stepped down from the company's board.

DEALS: Actavis buys generic unit for $810M

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 20:01:32 -0400

Actavis buys generic unit for $810M

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
Actavis Group	Alpharma	Acquisition of generic drug unit	The $810M deal narrows Alpharma's focus while boosting Actavis' presence in the US generics business.
genOway	IngenKO	Acquisition of assets	IngenKo's closing set up a deal that expands genOway's work in transgenesis, taking over a number of projects in the works.