IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDXX) announced today that it has acquired the research and diagnostic laboratory (RADIL) business of the College of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri.  IDEXX paid the the University of Missouri $43 million dollars in cash for the research and diagnostic business. RADIL provides health monitoring and diagnostic testing services to bioresearch customers according to the company. IDEXX released the following statement regarding the purchase, “The bioresearch market is an excellent strategic... 

AstraZeneca announced today that they have upped their investment stake in China with the launch of a $200 million dollar manufacturing facility in the country. The new plant will be in China Medical City (or, CMC), Taizhou, Jiangsu province.  The production there will be both intravenous and oral solid medicines for China according to the company.  Completion of the facility is expected to be wrapped up by the end of 2013. AstraZeneca released the following statement regarding the investment, “AstraZeneca has been putting down deep and broad... 

Merck announced today that they are removing themselves from participation in a joint venture called “Johnson & Johnson Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals.” Merck had a 50% interest in the venture with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and the company said it has sold it to a pair of J&J affiliates named McNEIL-PPC, Inc., McNEIL MMP, LLC, as well to Johnson & Johnson, Inc. itself. The joint venture originally began in 1989 to develop, manufacture, market and distribute certain over-the-counter (OTC) consumer products in the United... 

AstraZeneca announced today that their FASLODEX 500mg product received its first regulatory approval in Japan. FASLODEX 500mg is a breast cancer drug which had already gained regulatory approval in Europe in March, 2010 and in the United States one year ago in September, 2010.  Regulatory approval for the products’ roll-out was approved after a Phase III CONFIRM study was completed. In a company statement, Tony Zook, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca’s Global Commercial Organisation said, “We are very pleased to bring this important... 

Bristol-Myers Squibb & Ambrx, Inc. released a joint statement today which detailed a partnership where Bristol-Myers will gain exclusive worldwide rights to some of Ambrx’s research. In the agreement, Bristol-Myers will research, develop and commercialize biologics based on Ambrx’s research on the “Bibroblast Growth Factor 12 (or, FGF-21) protein.  This protein has a potential use for treating type 2 diabetes.  Additionally, the company will gain access to Ambrx’s research of the Relaxin hormone for potential use in... 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced today that they and Amicus Therapeutics have began the second phase III study of Amigal by way of dosing in a global registration study (Study 012) in an effort to compare safety and efficacy of Amigal (migalastat HCl) along with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for treatment of Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a rare, inherited lysosomal storage disorder. The study has a duration of 18 months and is randomized, open-labeled according to GSK.  The company said that the 18 month study will provide long-term clinical... 

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Company formally finalizes the acquisition of Amira Pharmaceuticals today. Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. had been a privately held company leading up to BMS’s acquisition of the company. Amira is noted as a small-molecule pharmaceutical company with an emphasis on the discovery and early development of drugs such as treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Since Amira is now wholly owned by BMS, Amira is now a subsidiary of the company. In a company statement issued during the initial acquisition announcement... 

Abbott has announced they have been included on not only the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) but also the North American index for seven consecutive years. The DJSI is a market benchmark for the performance of companies in industry sectors which are responsible for economic, environmental and social performance. For Abbott, this means they have received recognition from the market index as having leadership in multiple categories.  Abbott also received a 100 percent score in some categories such as environmental management and climate... 

GE Healthcare Acquires PAA Laboratories GmbH in a bid to reinforce and strengthen biopharmaceutical manufacture segment of the company. The company announced today that they have entered a definitive agreement to acquire PAA Laboratories for an undisclosed amount. “The acquisition of PAA Laboratories is a significant step forward for our Life Sciences business and for biopharmaceutical manufacturing globally,” said Kieran Murphy, President and CEO of GE Healthcare Life Sciences. “GE Healthcare Life Sciences is well known for its expertise...