Business of Medicine: German Pharmaceutical Firms Vie For Lucrative China Market.

German Pharmaceutical Firms Vie For Lucrative China Market.

The Wall Street Journal (10/29, Alessi, Subscription Publication) reports on the competition between German companies Bayer AG and Merck KGaA to grab a slice of the lucrative, $102 billion Chinese pharmaceutical market through investments and acquisitions. The paper notes that the two companies’ expansion plans come as China’s seeks to bring healthcare to a wider, aging population. Still, the Journal points out, the companies faced increasing challenges of doing business in China such as regulatory hurdles.

Indian Firm Claims It Still Holds Rights For Generic Heartburn Medicine In US.

Reuters (10/28) reports India-based Ranbaxy Laboratories disclosed it still holds exclusive rights to market AstraZeneca’s heartburn medicine Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) in the US. The company’s reiteration comes amid doubts about its ability to launch the medicine, as the FDA banned import of any pharmaceutical product from the company’s Toansa plant in India over quality concerns.

Market Outlook For Diabetes Medicines Examined.

The Wall Street Journal (10/29) reports in its “Pharmalot” blog that the news that Sanofi expects its global diabetes sales to remain flat in 2015 may ignite a price war, citing Leerink analyst Seamus Fernandez. The blog posting notes that’s because companies have to resort to aggressive discounting to retain their insulin market share. Sanofi is expected to lose the most as it dominates the US basal insulin market with its Lantus (insulin glargine) treatment. Analysts expect Eli Lilly to boost its market share due to its portfolio of injectable diabetes products, the piece adds.

Swiss Firm Expects Sales Of $2 Billion To $5 Billion From Heart Failure Medicine.

Reuters (10/29) reports Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis disclosed its new heart failure medicine, LCZ696, could generate sales of $2 billion to $5 billion, citing Chief Executive Joe Jimenez.