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SAN DIEGO — Novo Nordisk unveiled data from two extension studies at the 71st annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego that show its diabetes drug, when combined with other medications, may help patients achieve blood-sugar control.

The drug maker found that combining Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection) with metformin and/or sulfonylurea helped patients achieve blood-sugar control.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a resubmission by Endo Pharmaceuticals of a regulatory application for an opioid pain drug designed to thwart abuse, Endo said.

The agency had declined to approve Endo’s Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) in January for reasons that the company did not specify, though the agency did not request additional clinical studies in its statement, known as a complete response letter.

DUBLIN — A Food and Drug Administration expert panel has recommended approval of a drug made by Shire for a rare immune system disorder, the drug maker said.

Shire said the FDA’s Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approval of Firazyr (icatibant) for treating acute hereditary angioedema attacks in adults. The committee also voted 11-1 to recommend approval of self-administration of the drug by patients.

HAE is a genetic and potentially fatal immune system disorder that causes swelling of the face and airways and result in airway blockage.

NEW YORK — The charitable arm of Bristol-Myers Squibb has awarded five grants totaling $1.5 million to organizations that encourage African-American women with Type 2 diabetes to better manage their disease.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve an investigative painkiller made by Pfizer, the drug maker said Friday.

The FDA issued a complete response letter for Remoxy (oxycodone) extended-release capsules, which Pfizer is developing under a partnership with Pain Therapeutics. Pain Therapeutics originally developed the drug using Durect’s Oradur technology, which is designed to prevent tampering by drug abusers, in collaboration with King Pharmaceuticals. Pfizer took control of development of the drug when it acquired King in February.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Novo Nordisk has teamed up with actor Chris Noth to underscore the importance of early diabetes screening and detection.

Noth will serve as an ambassador for the national education program Ask.Screen.Know., Novo Nordisk said. As an ambassador, Noth will encourage Americans ages 45 years or older to get tested for diabetes and talk to a healthcare professional about the risk factors through a public service announcement and online at AskScreenKnow.com.

SALT LAKE CITY — Watson Pharmaceuticals plans to expand its manufacturing and research and development plant in Salt Lake City, the drug maker said.

The $44 million expansion of the plant will include retrofitting about 20,000 sq. ft. of space and the construction of about 17,000 additional sq. ft. The expansion of the plant, which makes transdermal patches and topical gels, is expected to include the addition of about 300 new employees over the next three to five years.

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca announced that it is selling its Astra Tech business to a professional dental products company in a cash transaction valued at about $1.8 billion.

Dentsply will acquire Mölndal, Sweden-based Astra Tech, which focuses on dental and healthcare products, services and support. In 2010, Astra Tech recorded worldwide revenue of $535 million.

AstraZeneca noted that the transaction is anticipated to be completed during the second half of 2011.