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Allergan Opens $60M Drug, Disease Research Center

David Pyott’s seven years as chief executive of Allergan Inc. have been marked by stepped up spending on research and development at the Irvine drug maker.

One of the cornerstones of Pyott’s efforts came to fruition recently when Allergan opened its Herbert Research Center.

The $60 million research center has special areas for molecular biology, neuromodulator research, high-throughput screening and medicinal chemistry. It’s named after Gavin S. Herbert, Allergan’s chairman emeritus.

The center “represents a significant expansion” of Allergan’s ability to conduct early research into eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye disease, the company said in a statement.

Researchers also are set to study neurology disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and neuropathic pain, according to Allergan.

Last year, Allergan spent $345.6 million, or about 17% of its $2 billion in yearly revenue, on research and development.

Separately, Allergan reiterated its plans to continue working with Inspire Pharmaceuti-cals Inc. in its bid to get regulatory approval for a dry eye drug.

Durham, N.C.-based Inspire’s shares tumbled more than 30% earlier this month after the Food and Drug Administration said clinical studies were insufficient to approve diquafosol tetrasodium for treating dry eyes.

Allergan sells Restasis, the only U.S. approved drug to treat dry eye. Allergan partners with Inspire on Restasis, which Inspire’s specialty sales staff also sells. Allergan is looking to add the new Inspire drug to its product line.

Meanwhile, Allergan’s collaboration with New York-based perfume and cosmetic maker Elizabeth Arden Inc. on a consumer version of the Prevage antioxidant cream is starting to gain visibility, with advertisements in Town and Country and several other magazines tailored to affluent women.



Edwards Restarting Trial

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. got some good news earlier this month when the Food and Drug Administration conditionally approved its plans to restart a clinical trial for the company’s less-invasive Cribier-Edwards heart valve.

The valve is designed to be inserted via a catheter, instead of through open-heart surgery.

Irvine-based Edwards voluntarily suspended the trial in June after it found that the procedure carried too many complications, with some patients dying.

Edwards said the new trial, which will involve 20 patients at three clinical sites, would use a delivery system that involves a simpler route,threading the valve through a patient’s circulatory system from the leg directly to the aortic valve.

When the feasibility study is done, Edwards said it would work with the FDA to determine the next steps in getting regulatory approval for the procedure.

Edwards acquired the less-invasive Cribier-Edwards valve in 2003, when it spent $125 million for Percutaneous Valve Technologies, a New Jersey-based device maker.

Separately, Edwards sold its Lifespan ePTFE vascular graft business for $14 million to Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia.

The deal includes a distribution pact under which Edwards will continue to market and sell the existing Lifespan product line for up to five years.

Edwards also is going to be the exclusive distributor of Vascular Wrap, an Angiotech device, in Europe.

Angiotech is going to maintain marketing and distribution rights for Vascular Wrap in the U.S. and will have co-exclusive marketing and distribution rights with respect to the stand-alone Lifespan product line here.



Apria Shuffles Managers

Apria Healthcare Group Inc., the Lake Forest-based home healthcare provider, made several management changes at the end of November. The moves are intended to enhance its “ability to increase revenue growth and streamline operations,” the company said.

Apria named Jeff Ingram executive vice president of sales, with responsibility for sales and marketing.

Ingram previously was senior vice president of national accounts.

“Accelerating sales growth is our No. 1 priority going into the new year, and with Jeff Ingram’s proven track record of driving both traditional and managed care sales, we believe that he is the right person to lead our sales organization,” Chief Executive Lawrence Higby said in a release.

Daniel Starck was named to executive vice president of customer services, a newly created position. Starck’s responsibilities include logistics, customer service, billing and collection functions.

Starck and Ingram report to Apria President Lawrence Mastrovich.

Apria also said it would realign its four geographic divisions into three.

Anthony Domenico, formerly executive vice president, sales, and John McDowell, formerly executive vice president of logistics, are resigning from Apria to pursue other interests, the company said.

Last month, Apria said its third-quarter profit fell 35% from the previous year in the wake of slumping medical equipment sales. The company also took itself off the market after hiring Goldman Sachs & Co. to investigate a possible sale during the summer.

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