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Merck to acquire Afferent Pharmaceuticals
KENILWORTH, N.J. and SAN MATEO, Calif. — Merck announced Thursday that it would be acquiring the privately held Afferent Pharmaceuticals. Afferent is a leader in developing therapeutic candidates to treat common, poorly managed neurogenic conditions by targeting the P2X3 receptor, and its lead candidate, AF-219, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials to treat refractory, chronic cough, as well as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with cough.Sales down as focus shifts to weight management
It’s been a little more than a year since GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare announced the return of Alli (orlistat 60 mg capsules) to most stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Today, the over-the-counter diet aid has reclaimed much of its lost dollar base and its No. 2 spot on the list of best-selling diet aids across total U.S. multi-outlets with $30.8 million in sales for the 52 weeks ended April 17.