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New Lamotrigine Desitin 10mg/ml Oral Suspension is the first licensed Lamotrigine oral liquid medicine available in the UK, offering simple, accurate and flexible dosing for vulnerable patient groups with epilepsy and bi-polar disorder. Accurate dosing and slow titration are essential when initially prescribing for patients with epilepsy. This helps minimise the risk of potentially life-threatening side effects such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (an acute, rare, and occasionally fatal skin reaction). Dose escalation is required every 2 weeks until the optimal dose is achieved to reach the desired maintenance level. Lamotrigine Desitin 10mg/ml Oral Suspension helps simplify complex prescribing and dispensing regimes, as all dosing requirements are covered in a single product. The supplied dosing syringe and cup make it simple for patients to use and carers to administer. The licensed Oral Suspension is likely to be of benefit when prescribing for children (over 2 years), older people (particularly patients with dysphagia) and also those with learning disabilities. The 10mg/ml strength simplifies accurate dosing for children and offers complete flexibility when dosing is based on mg/kg body weight.

Knights Pharmacy has significantly expanded its footprint in South Wales through its recent acquisition of pharmacies in Abercarn and Cwmcarn from the Evans Group. This move marks another strategic expansion for the Redditch-based pharmacy group, bolstered by funding from HSBC UK. The Abercarn site, which handles approximately 12,000 medication items annually, and the Cwmcarn site, dispensing around 5,000 items, will now operate under the Knights Pharmacy banner. This acquisition adds to Knights Pharmacy's growing portfolio, which now spans 49 community sites across England and Wales, a substantial increase from 18 sites just three years ago.

"The UK remains genuinely world-leading for life sciences in numerous areas - yet we continue to underperform on our potential," said Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). His statement is based on recent government data indicating that the UK is not fully capitalizing on its strong historical and institutional advantages in life sciences across a range of economic, health, and research indicators. The latest 'Life sciences competitiveness indicators 2024' report from the government's Office for Life Sciences revealed that while the pharmaceutical industry leads in R&D spending with £9 billion in 2022, representing a fifth of total business investment, the country saw a notable decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), industry clinical trials, and exports. In 2023, FDI dropped by 21 per cent to £0.8 billion, following a trend that saw a 52 per cent decrease over the previous two years, including a £0.9 billion fall in FDI the year prior.

India is in great need of developing a strong base for conducting medical and clinical research in the country. Medical research in India is still at large limited to some apex medical institutes and central laboratories.

Germany-based OctreoPharm Sciences has received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for OPS202 as a diagnostic agent for the management of patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic-neuroendocrine tumors

US-based Spectrum Pharmaceuticals has announced that its new drug application (NDA) for Beleodaq has been accepted for filing by the FDA

US-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical has selected a new drug development candidate, BMN 250, for the treatment of Sanfilippo B syndrome or Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB).

The prospect of global pandemic is worrying for public health authorities, with the sufficient supply of vaccines a particular concern. In the US, DARPA's Blue Angel project has been working on alternative plant-based vaccine production methods, with impressive results.

PBR Staff Writer Published 21 February 2014 Israel-based Pluristem Therapeutics has submitted its application to the US Food and Drug Administration seeking Orphan Drug Designation for its PLacental eXpanded (PLX-PAD) cells for the treatment of severe preeclampsia.

PBR Staff Writer Published 24 February 2014 US-based biotechnology firm Vertex Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of its Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for the treatment of people with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Novavax has announced the execution of a contract modification to extend the base period of performance of its current contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

Ireland-based Perrigo Company has acquired a basket of value-brand OTC products sold in Australia and New Zealand from Aspen Global for $51m.

US-based Edison Pharmaceuticals has received Fast Track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead drug EPI-743 to treat patients with Friedreich's ataxia.

Germany-based pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) to treat venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes both deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Germany based drug discovery firm Evotec has entered into a research collaboration and licensing deal with Swiss biopharmaceutical firm Debiopharm Group to research and develop new cancer treatments

US-based biotech startup DesignMedix has received a grant of $3m from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue the development and manufacturing of a new anti-malarial drug.

PBR Staff Writer Published 23 April 2014 Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals (Valeant) and activist investor Bill Ackman have revealed details of their offer to acquire Botox-maker Allergan, in a cash-and-stock deal that could be worth more than $45bn. Under the deal, Allergan investors would receive $48.30 in cash and 0.83 of a Valeant stock for each share they own.

US-based KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals has submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ATX-101 (deoxycholic acid) as an injectable treatment for the reduction of submental fat, which commonly presents as a double chin.

PBR Staff Writer Published 20 March 2014 Ireland-based specialty pharmaceutical firm Actavis has entered into an agreement with Noven Pharmaceuticals to settle all outstanding patent litigation related to its generic version of Daytrana (Methylphenidate Transdermal System). Daytrana is a CNS stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

PBR Staff Writer Published 25 March 2014 US-based Goodwin Biotechnology has entered into an agreement with Aspyrian Therapeutics for the technology transfer, process development, scale-up, and cGMP manufacturing of a new Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) for use in Phase I clinical trials.