Antitrust division of U.S. Justice Department in February "served a grand jury subpoena on the company seeking documents for the first time" about whether firm's consumer products division entered into an agreement with Wyeth "to lower the commission rate of a consumer products broker," firm says. In March 10 10-K filing with SEC Schering said it is "cooperating with the investigation." Wyeth announced DoJ probe last month (1"The Tan Sheet" Feb. 17, 2003, In Brief)...

Justice Department antitrust investigators are looking into same-day move by Wyeth and Schering-Plough to reduce fees paid to at least one firm, Compass Marketing, which distributes consumer products to "alternative" outlets such as convenience stores. Both companies reduced fees from 4% to 3% on March 30. Sykesville, Md.-based Compass is cooperating with DoJ requests for documents and employee interviews; it was asked for information about only those two companies. Firm says it was fired by Wyeth Aug. 9. DoJ declined to say whether investigators are looking into other consumer products companies or brokers...

Ying Huang was named CEO as his predecessor came under investigation in China and as partner Janssen was getting closer to seeking US FDA approval for its lead CAR-T therapy.