Synovics Pharmaceuticals announces March 15 it has entered into a binding letter of intent for exclusive, worldwide rights to the development and commercialization of an OTC omeprazole. Contract processor Fluid Air will deliver the product to Phoenix-based Synovics' subsidiary Kirk Pharmaceuticals. Fluid Air's DuraGran technology will allow Synovics to avoid patent infringement, the firm says. Synovics, formerly known as Bionutrics, bought Kirk in July 2005 (1"The Tan Sheet," Aug. 1, 2005, In Brief). Synovics plans to submit an ANDA in the second half of 2007. Perrigo said in a February analyst call it expects to launch an omeprazole product in November 2008 (2"The Tan Sheet," Feb. 5, 2007, p. 5). Under a licensing agreement, Schering-Plough hopes to bring Santarus' immediate release omeprazole product Zegerid to the market as well (3"The Tan Sheet" Nov. 27, 2006, In Brief)...

Medtech Insight spoke to attorney Greg Dadika about mass tort litigation, including industry trends, how to find the right law firm, and when it’s the right time to settle a suit. See what Dadika, an attorney at the law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, said about it here.

Payers would welcome any additional clarity provided by advisory panel review, given the perception, expressed in a recent ICER report, that the evidence is insufficient to determine whether the new drug is safer or more effective than erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.