News in brief

A new EU network of research teams is to receive Euro 6.4m from the European Commission. It is tasked with using new IT to fight major diseases such as cancer, brain and cardiovascular illnesses and diabetes. The BIOPATTERN project will amass and analyse data looking for fresh ways of diagnosing and treating these conditions, [Link 1]

The European Commission has approved a merger between Japanese pharmaceutical companies Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. The two companies have significant European sales, but the Commission concluded that the businesses were 'largely complementary' and that the merged company (called Yamanouchi) will 'face competition from larger players in Europe'.

Guidelines have been released by the European Commission on producing plasma and vaccine antigen master files during marketing approval and certification procedures, [link 2]. It has also updated guidelines on applications for orphan medicinal products designations, [link 3]

Hikal, based in Mumbai in India, has paid US$6m for a 50.1% shareholding and board majority in Marsing, a Danish pharmaceutical marketing and distribution company. Marsing has an extensive distribution network in 100 countries across Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. The company manufactures veterinary medications through its 100% subsidiary Bremer Pharma, Germany, and supplies finished doses and medications to hospitals in France through its 100% owned subsidiary Intsel Chimos.