AstraZeneca sales and marketing update

AstraZeneca launched Bydureon Pen for self-injection of once-weekly Bydureon exenatide in the U.S. to treat Type II diabetes. In March, FDA approved the pen, which contains the same formulation and dose as the single-dose tray that FDA approved in January 2012. The original single-dose tray remains available. In July, EMA's CHMP recommended approval of the pen for the indication. In February, AZ acquired full ownership of the diabetes business it shared with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY, New York, N.Y.). The deal gave AZ full rights to the portfolio of compounds that BMS gained in its 2012 acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., including Bydureon (see BioCentury, March 10 & Aug. 18). ...