Tokyo Tech researchers identify transporter protein and plant fertility

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have identified a transporter protein at the heart of a number of plant processes associated with fertility and possibly ageing.

Very low quantities of hormones instigate a number of the plant processes needed for survival, growth and proliferation - all significant factors affecting crop yield. However getting the right hormones to the right place is crucial. Recent studies have identified a number of hormone-transporting proteins that import and export hormones across the plasma membrane into and out of cell, helping to understand certain key processes. Now researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tohoku University and the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science have identified a protein that is core to a number of the processes that control fertility in the small mustard-like plant, Arabidopsis.

Hiroyuki Ohta and his team used gene network analysis to highlight genes that respond to jasmonic acid (JA) – a type of hormone associated with fertility, aging and defence responses for which so far no transporter protein has been identified. They noticed tight co-expression between the gene encoding GTR1/NPF2.10 protein and JA biosynthesis genes. Further studies showed that treatment with JA increased GTR1 expression in seedlings confirming the link. Hormone and stamen development was affected in plants with GTR1 associated mutations and their leaves seemed to turn brown and age in the presence of JA, suggesting GTR1 affects JA sensitivity.

Further studies suggested that GTR1 plays a key role in the transport of another hormone gibberellin (GA), because GA treatment fully complemented the defect of gtr1 in stamen development and fertility. While former research had established that JA and GA were both key to plant fertility and that there may be crosstalk between the two, the function of interplay had not been well established. Treating JA-deficient mutants with GA led to swollen fruit but no mature seeds. “These results indicated that JA signalling is required for stamen development and is independent of the stimulation of GA signalling, even though GA could partially compensate for a lack of JA function during floral development," state the researchers in their report.

Merck begins 5-year CAP in diabetes education for medical, nursing & pharmacy undergraduates in UAE

Merck, a leading company for top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life-science sectors, in collaboration with Emirates Diabetes Society (EDS) announces the start of Merck Capacity Advancement Program (CAP) in Diabetes education for medical, nursing and pharmacy undergraduates and primary healthcare providers so that  ultimately they act as  Diabetes ambassadors across the UAE.

The 5 year programme will be accredited by the European Accreditation Council of Continuous medical Education (EACCME) and developed by EXCEMED – Excellence in Medical Education and Oxford Centre of Diabetes, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.

The impact of the Merck Diabetes education programme will be even further due to a free educational platform, www.managediabetesonline.org, to centralize and disseminate the educational value of the unique program across the globe.

During his visit to United Arab Emirates, Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Executive Board and Family Board of E. Merck KG and member of the Merck family, said: “Merck is pleased to launch the Merck Capacity Advancement Program in UAE as part of our commitment to building healthcare capacity and providing sustainable access to high-quality health solutions and safe medicines in the Middle East.”

“The CAP will provide critical education and empowerment to those affected and dealing with diabetes to show the way to manage and prevent the silent deadly disease.” he added Emirates Diabetes Society - EDS plays a vital role in educating health providers who in turn help care-givers deal better with the syndrome. EDS is collaborating with Merck to arrange this course for Students of health Sciences.

Rasha Kelej, vice president, head of global business responsibility and Market Development, Merck Serono, emphasized:” Merck Capacity Advancement Program- CAP as part of Merck responsibility agenda will improve access to better Diabetes care as part of our commitment to the social and economic development of UAE. Supporting Diabetes education will contribute significantly to improving awareness, early diagnosis and prevention of the disease across the country”.

AMRI buys Aptuit's two facilities in US & UK for $60 mn

The US-based Albany Molecular Research Inc (AMRI), a global contract research and manufacturing organisation, has acquired the outstanding equity interests of Aptuit's Glasgow, UK, business and has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aptuit's SSCI/West Lafayette (Indiana, USA) business for total consideration of $60 million, expanding AMRI's drug product development and aseptic clinical manufacturing capabilities.

Servicing more than 250 customers a year, SSCI is known for solving difficult drug substance and formulated drug product challenges and is an expert in solid-state chemistry and analytical services. In addition, Aptuit's Glasgow facility will extend AMRI's capabilities platform to include sterile injectable drug product formulation and clinical stage manufacturing.

“We are very pleased to acquire these two facilities from Aptuit, which will further AMRI's expertise in drug product development and aseptic manufacturing services, two areas of our business where we are seeing the fastest level of growth,” said William Marth, AMRI's president and chief executive officer.

Pfizer to acquire Hospira for $17 billion

US based pharma major Pfizer will acquire Hospira - the world’s leading provider of injectable drugs, infusion technologies and biosimilars - for a total enterprise value of approximately $17 billion. Ian Read, chairman and chief executive officer, Pfizer, said, “Hospira’s business aligns well with our new commercial structure and is an excellent strategic fit for our global established pharmaceutical (GEP) business, which will benefit from a significantly enhanced product portfolio in growing markets. Coupled with Pfizer’s global reach, Hospira is expected to drive greater sustainability for our global established pharmaceutical business over the long term."

This strategically complementary combination will add a growing revenue stream and a platform for growth for Pfizer’s GEP business. The expanded portfolio of sterile injectable pharmaceuticals - composed of Hospira’s broad generic sterile injectables product line, including acute care and oncology injectables, with a number of differentiated presentations, as well as its biosimilars portfolio, combined with GEP’s branded sterile injectables, including anti-infectives, anti-inflammatories and cytotoxics - will create a leading global sterile injectables business.

Both sterile injectables and biosimilars are large and growing categories. The global marketplace value for generic sterile injectables is estimated to be $70 billion in 2020. The global marketplace for biosimilars is estimated to be approximately $20 billion in 2020.

The combination also reinforces GEP’s growth strategy to build a broad portfolio of biosimilars in Pfizer’s therapeutic areas of strength through the addition of Hospira’s portfolio that includes several marketed biosimilars. Pfizer will also use its existing commercial capabilities, global scale, scientific expertise and world class development capabilities to significantly expand the reach of Hospira’s products, which are currently distributed primarily in the US, to Europe and key emerging markets, where GEP has a significant presence.

Daiichi begins large-scale, multi-national phase 3 clinical programmes for mirogabalin

Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited announced enrollment of the first patients in large-scale, multi-national clinical programmes evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational mirogabalin (DS-5565), the first preferentially selective alpha-2 delta ligand.

The phase 3 clinical programme across Asia includes the REDUCER (An Asian, phase 3, multicenter, Randomised, Double-blind, placebo-controlled 14-week stUdy of DS-5565 in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain followed by a 52-week open-label extension) study and the NEUCOURSE (An AsiaN, phasE 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-contRolled 14-week study of DS-5565 in patientS with postherpetic neuralgia followed by a 52-week open-label Extension) study which will evaluate investigational mirogabalin for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), respectively. The phase 3 global ALDAY (A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled Study of DS-5565 in Patients with Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia) clinical programme is ongoing and will evaluate mirogabalin for the treatment of pain associated with fibromyalgia in three identical studies.

“Pain associated with the neurologic conditions of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia and fibromyalgia can be debilitating,” says Lesley Arnold, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience and Director of the Women’s Health Research Programme, University of Cincinnati and lead investigator of the ALDAY programme. “New treatment options are needed to help people living with these neurologic conditions relieve and manage their chronic pain and hopefully, improve their function and quality of life.”

Lupin gets FIPB nod to increase FIIs investment to 49%

Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has approved the Lupin's proposal for increasing the limit of investment by Foreign Institution Investors (FIIs) in the equity share capital of the company from 33 per cent to 49 per cent.

As at the end of December 2014, Promoters' were holding 46.66 per cent of equity capital. FIIs were holding 31.77 per cent and Domestic Institution 10.74 per cent. Lupin's equity capital as at the end of December 2014 stood at Rs. 89.79 crore. Lupin scrip moved up by Rs. 15.75 in the morning session today on BSE to Rs. 1571.40.

FIPB in their meeting held on November 21, 2014, recommended the proposal for the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The cabinet committee approved the proposal for increasing the investments FIIs in the equity share capital.

AbbVie incurs net loss of of $810 mn in Q4

AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories,  has posted net loss of $810 million during the fourth quarter ended December 2014 as against net profit of $1,128 million in the similar quarter of last year. Its net sales improved by 6.7 per cent to $5,452 million from $5,111 million due to the continued strength of Humira, Synagis, Creon and Duodopa. Global Humira sales increased by 10.6 per cent to $3,363 million.  With net loss its EPS worked out to negative $0.51 as compared to positive $0.70 in the last period.

Riichard A Gonzales, chairman and CEO, said, “AbbVie delivered exceptional performance in 2014 with sales and earnings well above our original projections for the year. We returned to growth in 2014, a year ahead of schedule, and we expect to continue building on that momentum in 2015 with another year of strong performance. For 2015, we're focused on commercial and operational execution and the advancement or our promising pipeline as we build the company for long-term sustainable growth.”

For the full year 2014, AbbView's net sales increased by 6.2 per cent to $19,960 million from $18,790 million in the previous year. Its net earnings, however, declined  sharply 57 per cent to $1,774 million from $4,128 million. EPS nosedived to $1.10 from $2.56 in the last period. R&D expenditure increased to $3,297 million from $2,855 million, a growth of 15.5 per cent. Sales of Humira increased by 17.7 per cent to $12,543 million. However, the sales of AndroGel declined by 9.7 per cent to $934 million. Kaletra sales declined by 9.6 per cent to $870 million and that of Lupron went down by marginally by 0.9 per cent to $778 million.