Pharma Roundup: Pfizer's Lipitor Patent, Wyeth and Crucell, and More
Courts allow Pfizer to repair Lipitor patent loophole — In 2006, an appeals court ruled that Pfizer’s patent on Lipitor was illegal, potentially opening the door to generic versions of the hugely popular cholesterol drug — and Teva, Ranbaxy, and Canada’s Apotex, all of whom have developed versions, were chomping at the bit. The Feds have granted Pfizer the chance to re-write its patent (albeit for a $1,500 fee), though, securing protection on the blockbuster until 2011. [Source: PharmaTimes]
Wyeth looks to buy Crucell — Although pundits pick Wyeth as a likely buyout target, the company is in talks to purchase Crucell, a Dutch producer of vaccines. Crucell is valued at around $1.35 billion. [Source: WSJ Health Blog]
Cuts at newly-formed Facet — Recently-minted Facet Biotech, spun off from parent company PDL BioPharma only a few weeks ago, has announced 80 job cuts and the departure of its senior vice president, Jaisam Shah. [Source: FierceBiotech]
Ratiopharm on the block — The family of Ratiopharm founder and billionaire suicide victim Adolf Merckle has announced its intention to sell the company. [Source: PharmaGossip]
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