Nestlé Health Science has announced the acquisition of a minority stake in a New Zealand based company that specialises in the development of kiwi fruit-based solutions for gastrointestinal conditions.

Founded in 1991, Vital Foods has two well-established digestive health products and has already captured a strong position in the New Zealand market; this transaction provides Nestlé Health Science with the opportunity to help steer future product development for Vital Foods, as well as commercial strategy.

"We are very pleased to have a stake in Vital Foods," explains Nestlé Health Science President and CEO Luis Cantarell; "their products align strongly with Nestlé Health Science's commitment to science-based nutritional solutions for gastrointestinal health."

Nestlé Health Science has also recently completed its acquisition of Prometheus Laboratories, a company that specialises in diagnostics and specialty pharmaceuticals in gastroenterology and oncology.

This information was originally published by Nestlé Health Science and Vital Foods; to find out more, please follow Nestlé Health Science or Vital Foods online.

New agreement launched to streamline research collaboration between life sciences industry, universities and the NHS

23^rd February 2011

Research into new and improved treatment for patients received a major boost today when the Government announced the launch of a new model agreement between the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, universities and the NHS to streamline the research contracting process.

Use of the model Industry Collaborative Research Agreement - mICRA - will enable research studies involving industry, universities and the NHS to start faster by shortening the negotiation and contracting process. The agreement is part of the Government's aim to promote the development of new and improved treatments for patients by reducing bureaucracy and supporting a flourishing research environment.

The National Institute for Health Research through its Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI) and the Medical Research Council have led a working group to develop the agreement. They brought together representatives from industry, universities and the NHS, together with the Intellectual Property Office and expert legal opinion to develop a range of templates that can be used to support all collaborative research scenarios.

The model agreement has been drafted to allow it to be used as a template for contracts covering any or all stages of clinical research undertaken collaboratively, from early proposals for collaboration and throughout.

Health Minister Lord Howe said:

"Partnerships between industry, NHS and universities are becoming one of the most important routes for the development of new and improved treatments for the benefit of patients. The expert clinical researchers and research infrastructure we fund through the NIHR are world-class resources and the launch of mICRA should remove some of the barriers so they can start their research quicker and help to deliver better treatments to more patients, faster.'

A key element of collaborative relationships between industry, the NHS and universities is the ownership of intellectual property (IP). Ensuring the adoption of appropriate terms can lead to extended negotiations and delays to early phase research getting underway. The model agreement has a choice of five options for clauses covering IP arrangements ranging from full academic ownership with rights granted to a company, through to full company ownership of IP with rights granted for teaching, research and patient care. The choice of IP clauses is supported by a decision tree with structured questions to guide users through the process.

Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, highlighted the importance of the new model agreement:

"Public/private sector collaboration is vital for innovation and growth. The mICRA agreement represents an important new venture in health research, a leading sector for the UK economy.

"I very much welcome this new agreement, which will smooth the negotiation process in collaborative working. It will build on the success of the Lambert agreements in bringing clarity about ownership and access to IP, as well as ensuring IP continues to enable innovation."

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have been essential partners in developing a model agreement that is fit for purpose and can be endorsed by all sectors.

Dr Allison Jeynes-Ellis, Medical - Innovation Director at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said:

"The research and development model for the pharmaceutical industry is changing, with potential new therapeutic approaches being developed in close partnership with experts in our leading academic research centres. The contracting process has often been a barrier to companies working with UK academia. The development of a standard agreement should greatly speed up this process and provide a firm foundation for fruitful collaborations. The ABPI looks forward to widespread use of mICRA resulting in a reduction in bureaucracy and more rapid research start up times.'

Dr Mary Archer, convenor of the Chairs' Group of the Association of UK University Hospitals and AUKUH member of the working party, welcomed the launch of mICRA:

"Universities and NHS organisations often do not have the legal resources needed to enter confidently into collaborative arrangements with industry. This model contract and guidance will provide a firm foundation for the establishment of these types of partnerships on a consistent basis across the UK. A standardised and transparent approach ensuring an appropriate division of risk and reward will mean that our institutions can establish partnerships with industry more rapidly and with greater confidence."

The template model contract, supporting decision tree and full guidance information can be downloaded from the NOCRI pages of the NIHR website at: www.nihr.ac.uk/nocri

Delivering the optimal sales deployment for any forward-thinking business

STAR's partnered with senior Business Managers Paul Black and Mike Cooper to introduce Fluid, a sophisticated methodology that combines the best of STAR's heritage and resourcing capabilities, with Investment Directors Paul and Mike's recent pharmaceutical sales and marketing expertise.

The Fluid methodology is realised through close partnership with customers, and typically incorporates consulting, resourcing and outsourcing; it's a robust way of thinking which uses insight and pragmatic intelligence to deliver the optimal, most fluid resource; the concept was devised in response to STAR's own understanding, gleaned during customer discussions and market research, and substantiated by Paul and Mike's client-side perspective, which revealed a real need for a truly fluid resource that would surpass traditional CSO offerings, without compromising quality.

"The industry's tough and it's been apparent for some time that old models aren't right for today's market. Long-term, future-proof success means partnering with a provider that can work fluidly to deliver influential people who know how to deliver commercial outcomes," explains Paul.

Mike continues: "We're partnering successfully with forward-thinking companies who don't want to get their field deployment wrong; we're building and optimising teams of people who work beyond traditional boundaries, and who think who, why and how. The result is a fit-for-purpose, elite team that can move with the market."

If you're looking for a supplier that'll sell you an existing team without understanding your unique business drivers or barriers, then don't call Fluid; if you're looking for a partner with the foresight, ambition and capability to understand your business and deliver a fit-for-purpose solution with the ability to move fluidly with market conditions, please contact Paul Black on 07900 608 538 or email paul.black@starmedical.co.uk

Sanofi-aventis and Merck KGaA have recently signed a worldwide agreement to collaborate on new oncology cancer treatments.

The collaboration will see two of the leading global pharmaceutical companies launch new phase I trials of the drugs combination, with the hope that their combined effects will make a more effective treatment with high therapeutic potential.

Cancer is increasingly being treated by targeting multiple disease targets at once, and these combinations will mean at least three pathways will be targeted.

"In the spirit of personalising and stratifying cancer care, it is a logical step to combine new exciting molecules across pipelines and companies early on, to explore combined activity against cancer pathways," says Dr Wolfgang Wein, executive vice president for oncology at Merck. "We expect a strong synergy between both oncology units in driving the projects forward."

Sanofi-aventis senior vice-president Dr Debasish Roychowdhury adds; "this collaboration reinforces our commitment to maximise our portfolio and to provide better treatments for patients with cancer."

This press release was originally published by InPharm. To read it in its original context, please follow the link: InPharm

McConaghie, 2010

Labmate, 2010

Novartis has closed its long-awaited merger with eyecare specialist Alcon which, it says, will create the global leader in eye care.

The merger will see Alcon, the world's largest and most profitable eye care company become Novartis' new eye care division, where significant growth synergies are expected.

Alcon will strengthen the group's portfolio focused on healthcare, providing greater access to the fast-growing global eye care sector driven by an aging population, innovation and emerging markets; "this merger will create a stronger eye care business with broader commercial reach and enhanced capabilities to develop innovative eye care products that fulfil unmet clinical needs in eye care," says Kevin Buehler, current President and CEO of Alcon.

Both Alcon and Novartis have attractive global activities in eye care, each offering their own competitive positions in highly complementary segments. Aligning such strengths will result in an even more compelling product offering, whilst avoiding uncertainty and speculation on Alcon's future.

Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis concludes, "I am very pleased that we were able to come to this agreement and will be able to provide Alcon employees the full benefits of being part of the Novartis Group."

This press release was originally published by Pharmafield. To read this press release in its original context, please follow the link: Novartis merges with Alcon.

Lock, 2010

Pharmafield, 2010

Novartis, 2010 

MEPs tighten rules on pharmaceutical companies[1]

The European Parliament has voted to tighten the rules on patient information, where pharma companies must now inform and better educate consumers about prescription medicines[2], not advertise.

This new legislation looks to protect consumers from hidden and disguised advertising, based on the principle that patients should have the right to obtain accurate, unbiased information about their medicines, switching the focus from the rights of the industry to those of the consumer.

''The pharmaceutical industry should not use the doctor's office and pharmacies to promote their products,'' says Monique Goyens, Director-General of consumer lobby BEUC. "Medicines save lives, but can also be dangerous; this is why information from the pharmaceutical industry should be strictly regulated"[3]. 

This proposed legislation will now advance to member states for discussion. If approved, it will become law. But what does this mean for pharma companies in the EU?

Due to the fine line between information and promotion, it will become compulsory for pharmaceutical companies to provide product characteristics, labelling and package leaflets on the product, as well as an accessible version of the drug's assessment report.

Swedish MEP Christofer Fjellner asserts "this proposal offers improvements when it comes to the quality and amount of information available to patients", and looks to benefit health systems in the long run. EU health ministers are scheduled to debate the proposed rules on the information to patients on December 6^th 2010, when further information on this legislation will follow.  

This press release was originally published by Pharmafield. To read this press release in its original context, please follow the link: Pharmafield 

[1] Pharmafield, 2010

[2] EurActiv, 2010

[3]BEUC, 2010

The ABPI has welcomed the Coalition Government's commitment to healthcare, science and innovation following today's announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). 

Dr Richard Barker, Director General of the ABPI said: "In this challenging economic climate, we are pleased the Government has recognised the importance of maintaining ring fenced public funding of £4.6 billion annually for science." 

"Scientific research is critical to securing future economic growth and the UK can harness the rich opportunities offered by medical science for the benefit of patients and society. It will be essential for the forthcoming Growth White Paper to set out a clear strategy for the UK to maintain its comparative advantage in the life sciences." 

"The Office for Life Sciences and implementation of the actions agreed in the Life Science Blueprint are also critically important in helping to address the industrial challenges currently facing the UK." 

"The ABPI will continue to work closely with its colleagues at BIA, BIVDA, ABHI and the Minister for Health, Earl Howe and the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts MP to ensure that the Office for Life Sciences can deliver the best possible environment to support UK life sciences and the development of new treatments for patients." 

"The ABPI welcomes the continued commitment from the Coalition Government to increase funding to the NHS for every year of this Parliament and increased spending on health research from the Department of Health." 

"The Government's commitment to the Cancer Drugs Fund will mean that more cancer patients will be able to get access to the latest available medicines than before. The UK currently ranks amongst the lowest in Europe in the uptake of innovative medicines, despite having amongst the lowest prices. As the NHS faces the challenge of achieving £20 billion annual efficiency savings, innovative new medicines will be an important part of the solution to reduce the long term burden of disease, and so deliver cost-effective care."

This press release was originally published by ABPI; to read the press release in its original context, please follow the link: ABPI

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Shire Holdings Luxembourg S.à.r.l. acquired 99.21% of the shares of Movetis NV on October 12, 2010, following a successful tender offer launched in September 2010.

As previously announced, Shire will proceed with a squeeze-out of those shares and warrants not tendered to the offer in accordance with applicable Belgian legislation.  In this regard, an additional  tender offer period opened, on the same terms, on October 12, 2010 and will close on November 2, 2010 at 4 pm CET.

Shares tendered into the additional tender offer will be settled on November 8, 2010. Shares and warrants not tendered to the additional tender offer shall be deemed transferred to Shire Holdings Luxembourg S.à.r.l. by operation of law on November 8, 2010. Payment of the offer price for shares and warrants not tendered to the additional tender offer will be deposited with the Deposito-en Consignatiekas/Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations in Belgium.

At the close of the reopened tender offer, the shares in Movetis will be delisted from Euronext Brussels.  The last trading day will therefore be November 2, 2010.

Shire's offer is €19 in cash for each outstanding Movetis share.

This press release was originally published by Shire Plc; to read the press release in its original context, please follow the link: Shire

Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA,Darmstadt, Germany, and Ablynx today announced that they have expanded theirrelationship and entered into a second agreement, to co-discover and co-developNanobodies against an inflammatory disease target.Ablynx's Nanobodies are an innovative class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteinsthat combine the advantages of conventional antibodies with key properties of smallmolecule drugs such as high affinity, small size allowing alternative delivery andenhanced tissue penetration, and high stability.In September 2008, Merck Serono and Ablynx entered into an agreement to codiscoverand co-develop Nanobodies against two targets in oncology and immunology.This second agreement focuses on the discovery and development of Nanobodybasedtherapeutics against an inflammatory disease target. This new collaborationstructure allows Ablynx to drive the process up to the clinic, leveraging its strengths inNanobody discovery and preclinical development.Under the terms of the agreement, Ablynx will receive up-front payment of €10 millionand be responsible for all activities and costs, excluding manufacturing costs, up to thedelivery of a preclinical package that will form the basis for the filing of an IND or INDequivalent. Upon acceptance of the package by Merck Serono, Ablynx will be eligiblefor a €15 million milestone payment. Ablynx has the option to continue with MerckNews ReleasePage 2 of 3Serono up to a 50:50 co-development basis and share the resulting profits, or toconvert this collaboration into an exclusive, worldwide licensing deal with milestonepayments and significant tiered royalties. Further details of the agreement areundisclosed."We are very pleased with the progress made to date in our existing collaboration withAblynx in oncology and immunology and look forward to expanding it to the area ofrheumatology where our research focuses on proteins that modulate key pathogenicmechanisms. We believe that the specific features of Nanobodies have the potential toaddress some of the challenges in treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases ingeneral, and rheumatology in particular," said Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum, Executive VicePresident Research and Development at Merck Serono.Dr Edwin Moses, CEO and Chairman of Ablynx added: "We are delighted to broadenour relationship with Merck Serono. This second collaboration and the novel dealstructure underline the confidence that Merck Serono has in our discovery andpreclinical development capabilities." 

Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) announced today the appointment of Robert Karsunky as senior vice president and chief financial officer effective November 1, 2010. Karsunky comes to Alcon from Novartis AG, where he was most recently chief financial officer in the Consumer Health Division of Novartis. Novartis became Alcon's majority shareholder on August 25, when it completed the acquisition of 52 percent of the company's shares from Nestle SA. Novartis now owns 77 percent of Alcon's outstanding shares.

Karsunky will succeed Richard Croarkin, who has served as Alcon's chief financial officer since August 2007. Croarkin will remain a member of the executive leadership team until November 30, during which time he will assist in the transition of his responsibilities to the new CFO. Upon completion of this orderly transition, Rick will return to a financial position at Nestle.

"Rick has made significant contributions to Alcon during the last three years," said Kevin Buehler, Alcon's president and chief executive officer. "He's been a valued member of my executive team and has made significant contributions in the development and execution of corporate strategy, including the business development and cost alignment initiatives."

Karsunky joined Novartis in 2006 as chief financial officer in the Consumer Health Division of Novartis. In this role he was responsible for the division's finance, information technologies, procurement and merger and acquisition activities. Prior to joining Novartis, he served for four years as the vice president of finance for the international division of Medtronic, Inc. He began his career with Eli Lilly in 1991 where he had a variety of increasingly responsible financial positions to become the executive director of finance for Intercontinental and Japan from 2000 to 2002. He studied business administration at the University of Cologne and New York University, and obtained a PhD in Economics from the University of Aachen in Germany.

"Robert's broad experience in finance and leadership roles with three of the world's leading health care companies will be a tremendous asset to Alcon as we execute our growth strategies," said Buehler. "Furthermore, his knowledge of the Novartis organization will be beneficial in optimizing the opportunities to create value for Alcon through cooperative efforts and arm's length agreements with our new majority shareholder."

This press release was originally published by Alcon Laboratories, to read the press release in its original context, please follow the link: Alcon