Amgen (AMGN) has joined with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the commercialization of one of the most anticipated drugs, denosumab, meant for the treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease leading to increased fracture risk. Glaxo will make an initial payment of $120 million along with royalties for marketing the medicine in Europe. Glaxo has the marketing rights for emerging markets such as China, Brazil, India and South Korea, where the company has a strong presence.

This is a major win for Glaxo (beating 10 other companies), which had been eyeing the emerging markets for quite sometime. Sales growth of pharma products in these areas is far greater than the matured markets. This deal is beneficial to both the companies as Amgen has a strong foothold in the US and Europe while Glaxo has a presence all over the world.

Denosumab is the most prized pipeline candidate for Amgen. Currently, the

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Reason for comment York Pharma have announced the acquisition of the sales and worldwide commercial rights to two dermatological products from the Belgian Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company Solvay for a total consideration of €28.5m.

The products are Flammazine® and Flammacerium®, both brands are established in Europe for the prevention of infection in burns and topical wounds. The agreement with Solvay entails the transfer of the brands, any IP and sales on a worldwide basis as well as an associated 5 year supply contract of finished product from Solvay.

These silver-based sulfadiazine (anti-bacterial) products are approved in 21 countries although sales of the product are concentrated in France, Germany, Belgium and Spain. York estimates that the global market for topical anti-infectives is valued around US$450million with the current sales of these products around the $17.2 million (£ 8.7 million) mark or a penetration of 3.8%.

To finance this acquisition, York has

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