ARIAD Stockholders to Receive $24.00 per Share in Cash

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARIA) (“ARIAD”) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) (“Takeda”) under which Takeda will acquire all of the outstanding shares in ARIAD for $24.00 per share in cash, or a total enterprise value of approximately $5.2 billion, representing a premium of approximately 75 percent over ARIAD’s closing price on January 6, 2017.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, ARIAD stockholders will receive $24.00 in cash for each share of ARIAD common stock they own. The transaction has been approved unanimously by the boards of directors of both companies, and is expected to close by the end of February 2017, subject to required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Read more: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals ( ARIA )

M Pharmaceutical Inc. Announces that it will Simultaneously Commercialize and Market Over-The-Counter C-103, Reformulated Orlistat

Vancouver, BC - M Pharmaceutical Inc. (CSE: MQ, OTCQB: MPHMF, FWB: T3F2), (the "Company" or “M Pharma”), is providing an update of the Company’s strategy for the commercialization of its recently acquired C-103 project; which builds on its November 29th, 2016 press release covering its prescription strength C-103 strategy.
 
M Pharma, working with its contracted partners, will develop the foundation required to market OTC C-103 (orlistat 60mg) concurrently with the prescription version. This is possible in light of the FDA approval of OTC alli™ (60mg orlistat) in 2007.
Read more: M Pharmaceutical Inc ( MQ )

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Reports Preliminary 2016 Revenues of $276.4 Million

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 06, 2017 -- Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCRX) today reported preliminary unaudited total revenues and EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) net product sales for the fourth quarter and full-year 2016. 
 
“2016 was a year of solid execution that has set the stage for continued growth of EXPAREL,” said Dave Stack, chief executive officer and chairman of Pacira. “We made important progress advancing our three-part growth strategy that focuses on expanding awareness around opioid-sparing solutions, generating robust clinical data, and forming strategic partnerships.”
Read more: Pacira Pharmaceuticals ( PCRX )

Sucampo Reports Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Results Driven by 73% Growth in Revenue
GAAP EPS Growth of 12%; Adjusted EPS Growth of 58%
Company Raises 2016 Guidance and Provides Preliminary 2017 Guidance
Announces Settlement with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories for AMITIZA
Reports Phase Three Results for AMITIZA in Pediatric Population
Company to Host Conference Call Today at 8:30 a.m. EST
 
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 09, 2016 -- Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Sucampo) (SCMP), a global biopharmaceutical company, today reported consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.  The company also highlighted important corporate updates.
Read more: Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc ( SCMP )

CMS Establishes Unique J-Code for BENDEKA® (Bendamustine Hydrochloride) Injection

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE:TEVA) and Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (EGRX) announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a unique, product-specific billing code, or J-code (J9034), for BENDEKA® (bendamustine hydrochloride) Injection. The J-code will become effective on January 1, 2017.
 
The new J-code provides reimbursement coding clarity to outpatient facilities and physicians that administer BENDEKA, facilitating access for patients and Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursement.
 
“We are pleased that CMS recognized that the unique formulation and delivery mechanism offered by BENDEKA required separate recognition from other bendamustine products currently on the market. We expect the new J-code will provide greater access for patients, facilitate reimbursement and enable greater adoption of BENDEKA in the market,” said Scott Tarriff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Pharmaceuticals.
Read more: Eagle Pharmaceuticals ( EGRX )