New Products

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for lupus made by GlaxoSmithKline and Human Genome Sciences, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA approved Benlysta (belimumab), a treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, the first new treatment for the autoimmune disease in 56 years.

GUILFORD, Conn. — ScarAway announced that two drug wholesalers now will carry its over-the-counter scar care products.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — FRS Healthy Energy on Tuesday announced the launch of new Healthy Protein and Healthy Energy formulas to be shipped in April.

Both products will be fueled by the patented FRS quercetin formula, the company said. Quercetin, recently granted GRAS — generally recognized as safe — status by the Food and Drug Administration, is the natural energy-boosting antioxidant contained in all FRS products. To date, FRS Healthy Energy products contain the highest level of quercetin (QU995) on the market, the company claimed.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Solazyme will launch its anti-aging skin care line through distribution at Sephora and QVC.

Algenist will be available in the United States on QVC and in 800-plus Sephora stores, as well as in seven countries throughout Europe, before expanding to Asia and the Middle East, Solazyme said.

Algenist will launch with four initial product offerings featuring alguronic acid, Solazyme’s breakthrough ingredient. The four products are:

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

Merck is seeking approval for Saflutan (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution, an investigational drug for relieving eye pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

TOKYO — Eli Lilly leader John Lechleiter has become something of an evangelist for medical innovation lately.

On Wednesday, the Lilly chairman, president and CEO spoke to the U.S./Japan Business Council in Tokyo to call for changes and policies in the biopharmaceutical industry that encourage innovation, or “reinventing invention,” as he called it.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi announced the launch of its Berry Blossoms cereal and cherry-vanilla cereal bars.

The company said its Berry Blossoms cereal features pillow-shaped graham cereal squares made with seven whole grains and tossed with a tasty blend of real fruit, including strawberries, blackberries and blueberries.

Kashi's cherry-vanilla cereal bars join its TLC line of products and are made with a filling of sweet red-ruby cherries and rich Madagascan vanilla beans that are baked right into the soft-baked dough and contain 11 g of whole grains.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

Tris said that if approved, its carbinoxamine extended-release oral suspension would provide an alternative to currently available immediate-release formulations.