You Say Potato, Scale Says Uh-Oh

Changes Planned For Humira

With new competition looming, Abbott plans a thinner needle and once-a-month dosing for the popular arthritis drug.

Senators Look Into Medtronic, Doctors

The Senate Finance Committee is investigating whether surgeons who received large sums of money from Medtronic failed to note complications associated with a bone-growth protein that has become widely used in spinal surgery.

Novartis Seen Gaining as Merck Scraps MS Drug

Novartis's chances of eventually dominating the multibillion dollar multiple-sclerosis market with its new Gilenya pill got a boost when Merck of Germany abandoned attempts to market a rival treatment.

FDA Panel Votes Against Gout Drug

An FDA advisory committee voted 11-1 against approving a Novartis gout-pain drug, citing safety concerns.

FDA Approves Pfizer Pain Drug

The FDA approved the marketing of Oxecta, a new pain drug, from Pfizer and Acura Pharmaceuticals, boosting Pfizer's product line ahead of the expiration of a patent on its top-selling cholesterol drug.

High Court Will Hear Appeal by Mayo Clinic

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider whether to set limits on when companies and inventors can patent medical diagnostic tests.

FDA Panel Backs Regeneron Eye Drug

An FDA panel backed a Regeneron eye drug used for the treatment of a condition that can lead to blindness.

Boston Scientific Recalls Stent

Boston Scientific has recalled a new stent for leg arteries, available outside the U.S. thus far, because of deployment issues that could lead to emergency surgery, the FDA said.

Cadila to Buy Assets of U.S.-Based Nesher Pharmaceuticals

Cadila Healthcare, a part of the Zydus Group, said its U.S. unit has agreed to acquire the assets of U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Nesher Pharmaceuticals for an undisclosed amount.

Stent Pioneer J&J; to Exit Business

J&J;, the company that created a $5 billion global market for tiny metal devices called stents, is leaving the business, succumbing to years of slumping sales and market share.

• MarketBeat: Is Move Good for Boston Scientific?
• Companies Bet on Stents

FDA Says Diabetes Drug Might Raise Cancer Risk

The use of Takeda's diabetes drug Actos for more than one year might increase the risk of bladder cancer, the FDA said.

Danish Alcoholism Drug Does Well in Trials

Danish drug maker Lundbeck said its experimental drug to treat alcohol dependence performed well in three clinical trials, allowing the company to submit the drug for European regulatory approval.

HCA to Buy Rest of HealthOne

HCA Holdings reached a preliminary agreement to take over full ownership of a joint venture that controls seven hospitals in the Denver area, agreeing to spend $1.45 billion to buy out its nonprofit partner.

Regeneron Drug Called Effective In FDA Review

FDA reviewers confirmed that Regeneron's proposed eye drug was effective in the treatment of a vision-deteriorating condition.

Pharma Edges Toward 'Patent Cliff'

The European pharmaceuticals sector has long been chugging toward a so-called patent cliff, when many top-selling drugs will lose legal protection, unleashing generic versions onto markets that will sap billions of dollars of revenue from "Big Pharma." The cliff is fast approaching.

Philips Gets FDA Warning Letter

Royal Philips Electronics received an FDA warning letter citing several issues the agency found during an inspection of a Cleveland facility where Philips makes diagnostic imaging tools.

U.S. Clears Genetic Test for Breast-Cancer Treatment

The FDA approved a genetic test made by Roche Holding's Ventana Medical Systems unit that more easily identifies candidates for its breast-cancer treatment Herceptin.