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ASTRAZENECA BOSS SAYS HE’S NOT FINISHED BUYING COMPANIES ‘IF THE OPPORTUNITY IS RIGHT’
AN UNREPENTANT ASTRAZENECA KINGPIN David Brennan responded to critics of his Cdn$17.3 billion acquisition of MedImmune (see ChroMid 04/27), with a defiant cry of “And I plan to do it again, and no one can stop me!” He defends the MedImmune deal to Reuters reporter Ben Hirschler, by claiming AZ’s field force can raise sales of the MedImmune portfolio, and implied that he may look for a way to break MedImmune’s out-licensing pact with Abbott in overseas markets. He says he’s also eyeing other M&A targets: “I think we have the capacity to do more if the opportunity is right. It would have to be a strategic fit with our existing therapeutic categories.” More info =>
DOCTORS WELCOME DRUG REPS, BUT, ALAS, ONLY THE SMART REPS
CONTRARY TO EMERGING TRENDS, it may not be entirely true that physicians object to frequent visits from drug reps. According to the recently released Detailing Quality and Relationship Study compiled by a Pennsylvania consultancy, doctors would welcome detailers who have useful information and support to offer — even if there’s no new clinical data on the Rx being detailed, or no samples to drop off. The research by Joy Scott Group finds physicians want to learn about reimbursement issues, patient assistance programs, patient compliance issues, and objective third-party patient-information services, such as literature and web sites. More info =>
CANADIAN DTC AD DRAWS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION; LITTLE DO THEY KNOW WE DON’T ALLOW DTC
IF YOU’VE EVER NOTICED that most DTC campaigns are filled with gibberish, the new spots for sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) airing on local TV may not strike you as exceptional. However, the Canadian Viagra ads have captured the attention of the world’s media, precisely because the script contains nothing but nonsense syllables — and the word Viagra. Both the New York Times and the Guardian of London have reported on the campaign, with the Times providing this transcript: “Viagra spanglecheff?” “Spanglecheff?” “Minky Viagra noni noni boo-boo plats!” It seems to come as a surprise to those outside Canada that our domestic rules prohibit voicing the benefits of a therapy — in any recognizable language. Speaking gobbledygook is a way around that restriction, as well as a means of getting the brand name before the public. Dr. Sidney Wolfe, the prominent US fuss-pot, doesn’t get the joke. He tells the Guardian that commercials are supposed to “adequately convey the benefits and risks.” Hey, Sidney: Wait until the election ads coming this fall; you’ll welcome the chance to vote for Spanglecheff as Prime Minister. More info=>
EARLY DATA SHOWS PHARMA R&D MAY BE FINALLY BACK ON TRACK IN 2007 – OR, ‘MERELY A BLIP’
DRUGMAKERS EXPERIENCED SLOW GROWTH in the number of Rx candidates being pursued between 2004 and 2006, compared to more pipeline activity earlier in the decade. A UK think-tank finds things are picking up this year, with more happening in the clinical stages of Rx development. However, Ian Lloyd of Pharmaprojects cautions: “One year’s worth of promising data does not mean an end to the industry’s woes. Trends by their very nature only emerge after a number of years, making next year’s figures crucial in determining whether we are seeing a sustained recovery or whether 2007 is merely a blip.” More info =>
BRAZIL’S SPIDERS OFFER A LITTLE ZING ALONG WITH THE STING, AND UROLOGY RESEARCH MAY BENEFIT
BRAZILIAN PHYSICIANS have observed that the phoneutria nigriventer, a local species of spider, adds insult to injury for its victims: a bite from the little dickens will leave you with pain, suffering — and, if you’re a male, a bout of priapism. Hang on a minute, said Dr. Romulo Leite of the Medical College of Georgia, upon learning of the phenomenon. His research team thinks they’ve identified a peptide in the spider’s venom, Tx2-6, responsible for causing erections. Says he: “We’re hoping eventually this will end up in the development of real drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.” More info =>
AND NOW, A DIRE REPORT FROM OUR NEW HIRE, DR. SEUSS
SQUIRE ADMIRED SHIRE. Squire desired to acquire some of Shire’s Canadian repertoire — so badly it made them perspire. Squire wired to inquire, and now they’re a buyer. Here’s what will transpire: Squire, a division of Montreal-based Paladin Labs, will pick up five skin, GU, CNS, and metabolic Txs which had combined sales of Cdn$6.7 million last year. They are: hydrocortisone (Barriere-HC), betamethasone (Betnesol), bethanechol (Duvoid), fludrocortisone (Florinef) and beclomethasone (Propaderm.) According to Jonathan Ross McGuire, esquire, boss of the entire Squire empire, a deal for three other products is pending. (You might say the fat’s in the fire.) Actually, we’re required to mention that Squire is run by Jonathon Ross Goodman. That other name was just, er, a satire. More info =>
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