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Pharmaceuticals

This Month

The ACCC delayed its decision on Sigma Healthcare’s $8.8 billion merger with Chemist Warehouse several times.

‘Critical milestone’: Chemist Warehouse, Sigma merger clears ACCC hurdle

After several delays, the regulator found the tie-up will not substantially hurt competition, paving the way for the creation of a $28.9 billion sharemarket giant.

  • Updated
  • Carrie LaFrenz

October

Chemist Warehouse is a dominant pharmacy chain, and has proposed merging with Sigma Healthcare.

Pharmacy lobby says Chemist Warehouse concessions are ‘tokenistic’

The influential industry group is urging the competition regulator to reject an $8.8 billion merger with Sigma Healthcare. A decision is due early next month.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
John Cullity, CEO Ebos Group, says the Sigma-Chemist Warehouse merger will weaken the independent pharmacies.

Ebos CEO takes swing at $8.8b Chemist Warehouse-Sigma deal

The chief executive of the pharmacy group behind TerryWhite Chemmart says the merger, being assessed by the competition regulator, would harm the health network.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Jack Gance, chairman and co-founder of Chemist Warehouse.

Chemist Warehouse goes to war with card fees – using QR codes

The pharmacy and retailing giant pays $15 million in transaction costs every year. Now it has signed on to a new NAB-backed system that circumvents them.

  • James Eyers
Person with pill.

People are taking a pill to extend their lives. Will it work?

Rapamycin is typically prescribed as an immunosuppressive, but off-label users believe it can do much more.

  • Dana Smith
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September

Models walk the runway as part of Paris Fashion Week.

Everyone’s on Ozempic, so why won’t anyone ‘admit’ it?

The fashion world is embracing weight-loss drugs – but very discreetly.

  • Jo Ellison
Adam Steensberg: “Obesity is the biggest healthcare challenge of our time.”

The doctor-turned-CEO aiming to beat Ozempic

Adam Steensberg leads Zealand Pharma, a Danish drug maker whose stock has risen by more than 800 per cent since he took over in 2022.

  • Sara Sjolin
BlackRock will look to acquire existing research laboratories.

BlackRock seeds $1.5b laboratory real estate fund

BlackRock is partnering with local private equity firm Wentworth Capital on a “pure play” laboratory fund that has already secured a number of seed assets

  • Larry Schlesinger
Vikesh Ramsunder, CEO of Sigma Healthcare, expects the ACCC to make a call on its merger with Chemist Warehouse on October 24.

ACCC call on Sigma, Chemist Warehouse $8.8b tie-up due in four weeks

Merger plans are tracking in line with expectations, with the competition watchdog to make a final decision on October 24 after a previous delay.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Telix CEO Christian Behrenbruch has upgraded 2024 revenue forecasts.

Telix on $1b spending spree to build US radiopharmacy network

The biotech is investing heavily in global networks that will enable it to control the supply and distribution of nuclear medicines used to treat cancer.

  • Michael Smith
Pharma companies say they need help developing new antibiotics are needed to fight superbugs.

Why big pharma wants the government to pay it to make drugs

Drug companies say the government must help pay for new antibiotics people will rarely use. But without them, Australians may die.

  • Michael Smith

August

Professor Marnie Blewitt is developing a new XX, which is back by acting deputy director and laboratory head and Chief Executive Of at WEHI Ventures Dr Anne-Laure Puaux in Melbourne

How this research institute turned cancer success into a $66m VC fund

After banking $US325m from co-developing a blockbuster cancer drug, WEHI has begun making start-up investments seeking scientific breakthroughs from a new $66m fund.

  • Tess Bennett
The study findings should prompt physicians to be more cautious about prescribing the drug to people with a history of depression or suicide attempts.

Ozempic could be linked to suicidal thoughts

Novo Nordisk said it will work with regulators to monitor the safety of the medicines, including surveillance of data from ongoing studies and real-world use.

  • Naomi Kresge

This special paint could save lives from bushfires

New paint technology developed at UNSW to help fire-proof homes is a joint winner in the Higher Education Awards research commercialisation category.

  • Alexandra Cain
Swinburne University students on the job - taking part in Work Integrated Learning.  

Job-ready skills for the fast-changing workplace

The joint winners of the employability category embed career experience in study programs to give graduates an edge in the competitive job market.

  • Sian Powell
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How medical research is failing women

For years, the process for developing and testing new drugs has focused disproportionately on male bodies — to the detriment of female patients.

  • Sarah Neville
Nature’s Care headquarters in Belrose, Sydney.

Nature’s Care sale docs in front of potential buyers; NBIOs due Sept 6

Although the company returned a $23.7 million operating profit in 2023, it has struggled under a heavy debt load and missed a $148 million debt payment last month.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Chemist Warehouse is expected to sell off part of its store network to convince the ACCC that the merger will not lead to higher prices for consumers.

Competition regulator delays $8.8b Chemist Warehouse deal approval

The ACCC is undertaking more analysis of the transaction, which would merge the pharmacy giant into Sigma Healthcare. A decision won’t be made until October.

  • Michael Smith
Nature’s Care was Australia’s third-largest vitamins company.

Houlihan Lokey tapped for Nature’s Care sale

Street Talk can reveal receivers BDO Australia called in Houlihan Lokey to kick off a sale process.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Novo Nordisk Australia boss Cem Ozenc says there is enthusiasm in government for Wegovy.

Ozempic maker wants taxpayer subsidy for new Wegovy drug

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk pulled in more than $600 million from Australia last year but reported just $17 million in profit here.

  • Nick Bonyhady

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/pharmaceuticals-hnn