AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline have announced a EUR 224-million ($280 million) public–private partnership funding to enable development of antibiotics for bacterial infections and drive information sharing. The objective of the proposed research program is to improve the scientific understanding of antibiotic resistance, design and implement efficient clinical trials, and take novel drug candidates through clinical development. The program is part of the European Commission’s Action Plan Against the Rising Threats from Antimicrobial Resistance, launched in November 2011. Read More

Sixty-two percent of life-science executives are struggling to cope with and use effectively the amount of information flooding their inboxes, according to a new report from the communications consulting firm Mediaplanet. The company is publishing the report and potential solutions in The Independent’s June 29, 2012, issue and also will be discussing its findings at the 10th Annual Pharmaceutical IT Congress, to be held in London Sept. 17–18, 2012. The company aims through its report to address several issues for the pharmaceutical industry, including diversification, externalization of R&D processes, operational simplification, and smooth access to external innovation.

Takeda Pharmaceutical has agreed to acquire Multilab, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in generic drugs and OTC products. Takeda expects that the transaction will be finalized by the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. Under the agreement, Takeda Brazil will acquire Multilab in cash for Brazilian Real (BRL) 500 million ($250 million) upfront and up to BRL 40 million ($20 million) in additional future milestone payments to the owners of Multilab. Read More

Industry Briefs:

A roundup of additional company and people news from pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, their suppliers, and contract-service providers. Read More