New Products

NEW YORK — Kadmon Pharmaceuticals earlier this month announced that it has launched a new 600 mg/day dose pack of Ribasphere RibaPak (ribavirin, USP), Kadmon's proprietary ribavirin regimen available in a daily, two-pill compliance package for enhanced therapy adherence.

The new dose pack is designed to provide added dosing control to improve the management of hemolytic anemia in certain patients prescribed the triple therapy of a protease inhibitor, pegylated alpha interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

LONDON — Stiefel, a GlaxoSmithKline company, on Monday acquired the eczema remedy Toctino (alitretinoin) from Basilea Pharmaceutica.

“Toctino is an important and growing product that complements the Stiefel portfolio and offers a proven therapy for patients with a significant unmet medical need," stated Simon Jose, Stiefel president. "This acquisition gives us an immediate opportunity to develop and expand the availability of this new and innovative product of value, and reinforces Stiefel and GSK’s commitment to dermatology.”

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Heineken USA has launched a Mexican dark beer across seven markets in California and Texas.

Indio, which has been brewed and sold in Mexico since 1893, is a 12-oz. bottled dark beer that is known for its malt character and light caramel aroma, the company said. The beer now can be found in 6- and 12-packs at stores across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — A cookie brand founded by the Prince of Wales is coming to the United States.

Duchy Originals from Waitrose cookies — from the brand founded by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales — initially will be available through WalkersUS.com and at retail. The lineup includes original oaten biscuits, Highland all butter shortbread, stem ginger all butter shortbread and lemon all butter shortbread. The line traditionally is baked by Walkers Shortbread in the Scottish Highlands.

LOS ANGELES — Saban Brands has announced the return of the Popples franchise.

The company said it will reintroduce the brand — which was popular in the 1980s — with the introduction of such merchandise as accessories, plush toys and more by fall 2013. By spring 2014, Saban Brands plans to introduce new Popples characters and expand merchandise to include publishing, stationery, party goods, crafting and more.

BOSTON — Merck on Wednesday released new data from two pivotal Phase III efficacy trials for suvorexant, the investigational medicine Merck is developing for the treatment of insomnia.

Merck expects to file a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration in 2012. If approved, suvorexant would be the first medicine approved in a new class of medicines, called orexin receptor antagonists, for use in patients with difficulty falling or staying asleep. Merck anticipates that suvorexant will be evaluated by the Controlled Substance Staff of the FDA.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is gearing up to launch five filtered coffee pods that can be used in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' Keurig brewing system, according to published reports.

Reuters said Tuesday that a Safeway spokesman confirmed that the new private-label cups will differ from the retailer's current offering, which were launched earlier this year.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Henkel’s Tone brand is promoting the introduction of its Tone Fruit Peel body wash by partnering with country singer Kellie Pickler.

The Tone Turn it Up! series provides exclusive access to Pickler while she is on tour for her current album, "100 Proof," and also invites consumers to keep up with Pickler via Facebook through personal blog posts and a live Facebook chat. Fans also will have the chance to participate in contest giveaways, including a grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville to meet the country singer.