New profits in old bottles; companies find bonus in drugs that cure several ills

Article Abstract:

The FDA has made it easier for a drug company to promote a medication for a second ailment through physicians as long as they don't put the new 'indication' on the label. For example, Monsanto Co. had approval to market Celebrex for arthritis pain, but it can also treat Alzheimer's and colon cancer. Glaxo Wellcome calls its antidepressant Wellbutrin; the same compound is called Zyban when used as a smoking cessation drug. To be able to do this saves the drug companies as much as $250 million in R&D costs.

Marketing procedures, Company Planning/Goals, Demographics

---

SmithKline to sell off units for $1.97 billion

Article Abstract:

SmithKline Beecham PLC announced a move to get the company back in focus on its pharmaceuticals and consumer products: sell off two units and cut jobs by 3,000 people worldwide. The moves will occur over a four-year span. The firm will sell its clinical laboratories unit to Quest Diagnostics for about $1 billion. It will sell its pharmacy benefits management unit, at a loss, to Express Scripts Inc. for $700 million.

Comment:

Will buy SmithKline's pharm. benes. mgmt. unit for $700 million

United Kingdom, Foreign operations, Financial management, Drugs, proprietaries, and sundries, Pharmaceutical industry, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, SmithKline Beecham PLC, Express Scripts Inc., ESRX, DGX, Quest Diagnostics Inc. (San Juan Capistrano, California)

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: 2 book giants in global deal to sell titles via Internet. Microsoft and Barnes & Noble join forces. The next trick for Amazon.com: auctions; the leading on-line bookseller hopes to pose a challenge to eBay
• Abstracts: Flying kites in Sydney could waste billions. Why Quantas slashed its Asia services. Fight for the skies
• Abstracts: Microsoft co-founder to buy 90% of big cable company. DirecTV to buy a major rival for $1.8 billion. Murdoch sets TV Guide sale for $2 billion
• Abstracts: New pitches set for anticholesterol foods. Triarc's Diet RC pushes 'no aspartame.'
• Abstracts: G.M. dealers see dwindling supply of hot models. Bit of progress in talks to end strikes at G.M. As G.M. idles plants, talks make progress

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.