New indications...

The FDA approved new indications for both Lilly's Zyprexa and Astra Zeneca's Seroquel: teenagers with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This comes as somewhat of a surprise to me because of the recent publicity about the negative side effects (specifically weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes) of these atypical antipsychotics. The FDA even went so far as to say they will continue to monitor if these effects are worse in teenagers than adults. This sounds like a recipe for failure to me because if these effects are indeed worse in teenagers, who could be more psychologically vulnerable, then that could open the door for all sorts of complaints and problems for the two manufacturers in the future. I hope, for their sake though (and for the patients), that I am wrong about this one...

read more in Fierce Pharma

Also, be on the look out for more acquisitions in the pharma market...but they might be from one big source: GSK. It was reported today that GSK is on the hunt for takeover targets...to the tune of $3 billion worth of money on the table for these targets. Some suggested companies in whose direction the British giant may look (according to the guardian): Dr. Reddy's (big time generics manufacturer), Theravance, and Genmab. While analysts could debate all day on who could be ripe for the taking, I like the idea of GSK grabbing Dr. Reddy's.

here's a starter on Dr. Reddy's prospects

and...the article on GSK from the Guardian