Pfizer to split operations three ways

 NEW YORK, N.Y., July 29 - Today, Pfizer is announcing plans to move forward to internally separate its commercial operations into three business segments, two of which will include Innovative business lines and a third which will include the Value business line.  Each of the three segments will include developed markets and emerging markets.  The changes will be implemented in January 2014 in countries that do not require a consultation with works councils or unions, and will be implemented in countries that require consultation after the successful conclusion of those processes.  Beginning with the first-quarter 2014 financial results, the company will provide financial transparency for each of these three business segments, which will include a 2014 baseline management view of profit and loss for each segment. 

European Pharma Gears Up for Horizon 2020

 The ink is not yet dry on the European Union’s Horizon 2020 agreement to invest some €70 billion ($92 bn) in research over the next seven years, and already contenders for funding are jostling for attention.

Europe’s biggest drug industry association EFPIA scored something of a coup by having breakfast with the president of the European Commission on the very day that the program proposal was agreed in mid-July. EFPIA has won support from the commission (and possibly €1.5 bn) for a new and improved version of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), its public-private partnership with the EU on early-stage collaborative research.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Samsung BioLogics Announce Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Relationship

 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Samsung BioLogics today announced the companies have entered into a 10-year agreement under which Samsung BioLogics will manufacture a commercial antibody cancer drug for Bristol-Myers Squibb at its recently completed plant in Songdo Incheon, South Korea.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Technology transfer and trial production will commence in July 2013 and commercial production will immediately begin following regulatory approvals.

"We are pleased to announce this strategic manufacturing relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb and look forward to delivering best-in-class manufacturing services with the highest global quality standards," said Tae-Han Kim, president and CEO of Samsung BioLogics. "The relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb represents the validation of our long-term commitment to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry."

"Our agreement with Samsung is an important part of our company's overall manufacturing and supply strategy focused on creating long-term relationships with high quality manufacturing partners around the world," said Louis Schmukler, president, Global Manufacturing & Supply, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "This agreement increases our biologic manufacturing capacity to help ensure sufficient long-term supply of our commercial products."