Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, the world’s top producer of insulin, spent $375,000 lobbying the U.S. government in the second quarter of 2010 on several diabetes-related issues, among other topics, according to a Bloomberg report The amount marks a 13 percent reduction from $430,000 during the same period last year and a reduction...

The cost and number of drugs prescribed to treat diabetes in England has risen by more than 40 percent in the last five years, according to a new National Health Service (NHS) report released today. According to Diabetes UK the NHS Information Centre has found that just over 35.5 million prescription items were dispensed in primary...

Diamyd Medical AB announced it has received antitrust clearance that closes the transaction announced on June 22, 2010 with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI), a Johnson & Johnson company. The US Federal Trade Commission’s clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act is regarding the agreement...

DiaMedica Inc., a Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for diabetes and neurological disorders, announced the initiation of a type 1 diabetes program following the acquisition of Sanomune. The initiation of this program is based on encouraging preclinical results with DM-99, a naturally occurring...

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has settled thousands more lawsuits brought by patients alleging its Avandia diabetes drug caused heart attacks, in a move that may defuse potentially massive claims over the medicine. According to a Reuters report, a spokeswoman for Glaxo said that consolidated cases which had been due to come to court in Philadelphia...

Novo Nordisk has decided to stop sales of its insulin product in Greece following a government decree ordering a 25% price cut in all medicines, according to a  BBC report. The company, which claims it is owed 32 million dollars by the Greek state, said that such a price cut would force its business in Greece to run at a loss. ...

GlaxoSmithKline Plc agreed to pay about $60 million in the first settlements of lawsuits alleging the company’s Avandia diabetes drug causes heart attacks and strokes in some users, according to a Bloomberg report. Glaxo agreed to resolve more than 700 Avandia suits filed by three attorneys, including Houston-based plaintiffs’...

Bayer Diabetes Care announced it would be sponsoring a new contest, “Give Back. Simply Win.” The contest is designed to reward people with diabetes for their charitable efforts. Entering the contest is simple; it is open to people with diabetes in three age categories: 6 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18+ years. Contestants can visit www.NicksSimpleWins.com...

Novo Nordisk has announced an online insulin pen photo contest.  The “Where Have You Flexed?” contest asks people who use the FlexPen to submit photos of themselves with their pen in unique locations.  The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to the Firestone Indy Lights championship in Miami on October 2 to...

Roche announced the acquisition of Medingo Ltd., a company engaged in the development of a semi-disposable insulin patch pump. The new Medingo Ltd. micro pump insulin delivery system consists of two parts: a semi-disposable insulin dispensing patch and a remote control, which allows for discreet personalized insulin delivery. It provides...