Hello,
I’m Selina McKee and here are the daily news headlines for Friday 15 December.
Forest Laboratories is splashing out a minimum of $480 million to acquire
privately-held Cerexa, which will give it access to its new antibiotics.
Under the move, Forest will obtain worldwide development and marketing rights, excluding Japan, for two injectable antibiotics, and an option for a third which is currently in early stage trials.
The jewel in Cerexa’s crown is ceftaroline, a next-generation, broad-spectrum, hospital-based cephalosporin antibiotic that exhibits bactericidal activity against the most resistant strains of Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
In other news, Novartis has further strengthened its focus on healthcare by selling its medical nutrition business to fellow Swiss firm Nestle for just over $2.5 billion.
Daniel Vasella, Novartis’ chief executive, said that the divestment was part of the company’s long-term strategy of focusing on pharmaceuticals and he added that it further strengthens the groups financial position and provides strategic flexibility.”
Well, that’s all from me today, I’ll be back on Monday with more industry headlines.
