Nycomed’s performance was driven by strong growth of Key Products and in most emerging markets. This overall positive performance could not fully offset the expected negative impact of pantoprazole’s patent expiry in Europe. Daxas® (roflumilast) is advancing well: Nycomed received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), recommending the approval of Daxas® in the European Union. With Merck & Co., Inc. (MSD) a co-promotion agreement for five European countries and Canada has been signed.

Nycomed also made significant advancement in its partnerships: With the FDA approval of TachoSil®, Baxter International will be able to market this surgical patch in the United States. In Russia/CIS, an agreement with GE Healthcare to form a joint venture for the local sales, marketing and distribution of GE Healthcare’s medical diagnostic contrast agents has been announced.

A jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey held that the US pantoprazole (Protonix®) patent is not invalid. Nycomed and its US partner Pfizer Inc. are pleased with the jury’s findings and announced that as soon as the decision is final the companies will be seeking the full measure of their damages.

Håkan Björklund, CEO Nycomed, commented on the company’s results: “We saw a very satisfactory performance in the first quarter of 2010 confirming our direction. Both Key Products and the emerging markets are developing well.

With a positive opinion from the CHMP, we have cleared an important hurdle of the European approval process for Daxas. To further utilize the potential of Daxas, we have signed a co-promotion agreement with Merck for several European countries and Canada. All of this confirms our belief in the future of this product. We were disappointed with the outcome from the recent FDA Advisory Committee meeting that reviewed Daxas. However, we remain optimistic that concerns expressed by the Committee and the FDA can be satisfactorily resolved.

For 2010, we will see the full effect of pantoprazole’s loss of exclusivity. In some markets we anticipate pressure on pharmaceuticals prices from authorities. We do expect further growth of our Key Products and in emerging markets and are preparing the launch of Daxas.”

Financial background
Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are key figures used in order to have a more comprehensive analysis of our operating performance and of our ability to service our debt. EBITDA means net income adjusted for net financial terms, income taxes, depreciation of tangible assets and amortisation of intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for unusual or non-recurring items not related to the future and ongoing business. For the first quarter 2010 the difference between EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA mainly comprises integration, projects and restructuring costs.

About Nycomed
Nycomed is a privately owned global pharmaceutical company with a differentiated portfolio focused on branded medicines in gastroenterology, respiratory and inflammatory diseases, pain, osteoporosis and tissue management. An extensive range of OTC products completes the portfolio.

Its R&D is structured around partnerships and in-licensing is a cornerstone of the company’s growth strategy.

Nycomed employs 12,000 associates worldwide, and its products are available in more than 100 countries. It has strong platforms in Europe and in fast-growing markets such as Russia/CIS and Latin America. While the US and Japan are commercialised through best-in-class partners, Nycomed plans to further strengthen its own position in key Asian markets.

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the company generated total sales of €3.2 billion in 2009 and an adjusted EBITDA of €1.1 billion.

Source: http://www.pharmanews.eu/

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, will establish a U.S. Innovation Center in San Francisco, Calif. with the goal to expand its global research network and build its specialty pharmaceutical pipeline.

The model introduces a newly formed “Science Hub” for innovation sourcing in the U.S. creating collaborations with academic research scientists and small biotech firms to realize product development and commercialization of new therapies through partnerships with Bayer. The U.S. Innovation Center also will house Bayer scientists who drive the company’s strong hematology research program focused on coagulation factors and the discovery of novel biologic drug candidates.

“Through our newest innovation center, U.S. academic research institutions and young biopharmaceutical firms will work closely with Bayer scientists and leverage our experience in bringing novel discoveries to market. Working together, we have the potential to create significant benefits for patients,” said Professor Andreas Busch, Head of Global Drug Discovery for Bayer Schering Pharma. “Mission Bay is a hotbed of innovation in the U.S. and key to our decision to co-locate our researchers in this life sciences community. We expect this new focus on U.S. research collaboration to enhance Bayer’s pipeline which features a successful combination of internal excellence with highly partnered approaches in research and development and commercialization.”

By locating the U.S. Innovation Center in Mission Bay, Bayer’s scientists will be in the heart of a growing biomedical research community and working in state-of-the-art labs which will occupy 49,000 square feet of leased lab and administrative space. Also research scientists working in targeted areas such as cardiology, oncology, women’s healthcare and diagnostic imaging will be rotating through this site.

About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Bayer Schering Pharma, Consumer Care and Medical Care divisions. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover, manufacture and market products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at http://www.bayerhealthcare.com.

About Bayer Schering Pharma
Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Specialty Medicine and Women’s Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life. Find more information at

Source: http://www.worldpharmanews.com/content/view/1228/30/

Source: http://www.worldpharmanews.com/