Pet project: Biotechs switch from drugs for man to drugs for man's best friends

Article Abstract:

Now that figures prove that Americans will spend more money than ever on taking care of their pets, at least two drug companies are shifting their focus from human drugs to drugs for pets. A major reason contributing to the decision is the fact that the approval process takes a few years less to bring a drug to market. Heska Corp. makes a product for treating and controling periodontal disease in dogs. Synbiotics Corp. is another drug company that started out developing pharmaceuticals for humans. Now they are going to be in the blood chemistry instrument business where animals are the target patients.

Comment:

One pharmaceutical company that plans to concentrate on drugs for animals rather than humans; time and money are reasons

Veterinary Drugs, Targets & Markets, Heska Corp., Synbiotics Corp.

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FDA allows large-scale trial of AIDS vaccine

Article Abstract:

Virologist Donald Francis of VaxGen Inc. is planning to announce that his company has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin the first large-scale AIDS vaccine testing in the US. Up to 5,000 volunteers in the US and 2,500 in Thailand will be included in the Phase III trial. The tests will not be completed until at least 2001. However, Dr. Francis vaccine may not turn out to be treatment for AIDS that it is hoped to be. Some analysts have already rejected the new vaccine, called Aidsvax.

Comment:

Virologist Donald Francis to announce that co has been authorized by the FDA to conduct large-scale testing for Aidsvax vaccine

Antiinfective Preparations NEC, Anti-infective agents, VaxGen Inc.

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Merck gets FDA approval for migraine drug

Article Abstract:

Merck & Co. announced that it has been given approval to begin marketing its Maxalt migraine drug. The approval of the drug sets the stage for a highly-contentious marketing war in the more than $1 billion migraine medicine market. The Maxalt drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Maxalt will be in direct competition with Glaxo Wellcome PLC's Imitrex drug. Maxalt will be taken in tablet form.

Central Nervous System Prep, Central nervous system agents, Merck & Company Inc.

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