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Abstract
This present industry update covers the period 16 September–15 October 2010, with information sourced from company press releases and websites, regulatory agencies and patent search engines. The imminent patent expiration of a number of key drug patents remains a major concern for many of the large pharmaceutical companies. Consequently, the acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals by Pfizer, whilst still assimilating Wyeth, is likely to set the scene for further sizable mergers and acquisitions to strengthen pipelines and mitigate risk. The regulatory approval of Gilenya™ (fingolimod) by the US FDA represents an exciting and major step forward in the provision of treatment options for multiple sclerosis, and the results of the Phase III clinical study with abiraterone acetate demonstrate a much needed new advancement in the treatment of metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer, a stage of the disease that currently has few treatment options and a high mortality rate.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Gareth Rees is employed by Genesis Oral Bioscience. In his current role the author has received compensation from GSK as a consultant and scientific writer. Gareth Rees is a named inventor on four patents assigned to GSK, and owns shares in the company. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.