New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Novartis started off 2010 with an announcement that they have agreed on a deal to purchase a majority stake in Alcon (should be familiar to those of you who wear contact lenses). This move no doubt shows Novartis's desire to diversify and grow into new markets, specifically the fast growing eye care sector. Just like Sanofi's takeover of Chattem a few weeks ago, Novartis is working to improve cash flow from a variety of products.

Read more here from the New York Times

And for those of your unfamiliar with Alcon, here's information from their website

Dr. Reddy's released preliminary information suggesting that its new add-on treatment for diabetes, balaglitazone, met the primary endpoint of a key Phase III study by significantly reducing HbA1c in clinical trial participants. Although similar to pioglizatone, this new treatment is supposed to have a positive effect on lowering HbA1c while having fewer of the negative adverse effects such as fluid retention, weight gain, and heart enlargement. As diabetes is always a hot market for safer and more effective medications, look for Dr. Reddy's to jump with this positive news.

see the press release from Dr. Reddy's here

Pfizer continues to wait (impatiently, perhaps) for a FDA ruling on the BLA submitted for Prevnar-13, an updated and allegedly more effective version of what was once Wyeth's blockbuster pneumonia vaccine, Prevnar. This vaccine has been under review for some time now and a decision was actually due by December 30, but the FDA has extended the review period by 90 more days. Pfizer is likely itching for this approval so they can start marketing this vaccine to build up some revenue to help fight off the effects of the upcoming patent cliff and the loss of Lipitor. Hold off for now on Pfizer, there doesn't seem to that much promise for the time being...

For more, have a peak here

Finally, as a small nugget, read here about Barron's predictions for the big pharma/biotech winners of the new healthcare bill...