15.05.2012

The Chemical Plant of the Future

The 2008-2009 crisis signaled the start of a paradigm shift in chemical plant engineering and construction. Traditional EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) suppliers (general contractors based in the Western industrialized nations) are facing increased competition from Asia. At the same time, the plant engineering teams at global chemical companies are intensifying their partnerships with EPC suppliers and spreading the workload across the international engineering resource base.
more11.04.2012

US Adds More on Clot Risk to Some Birth Control Pills

U.S. health regulators are adding information to the labels on a popular class of birth control pills that includes Bayer's Yaz and Yasmin, to show they may raise the risk of blood clots. All common birth control pills increase a woman's chances of getting potentially fatal blood clots. more05.04.2012

U.S. Medicine Spending Rose to $320 Billion Last Year

A raft of new medicines pushed U.S. spending on drugs modestly higher last year, but the gains were curbed by weak prescription use as Americans avoided doctor visits, according to a report released on Wednesday. Overall U.S. spending on medicines reached $320 billion in 2011, up 3.7% from 2010, according to the report from IMS Health, a healthcare information and services company. The increase was just 0.5% on a per capita basis. more04.04.2012

The Capabilities Premium in Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions designed from the start to enhance or leverage companies' distinctive strengths significantly outperform transactions that are not capabilities- driven, according to a new study released by management consulting firm Booz & Company. The study looked at 320 transactions that took place between 2001 and 2009 in eight industry sectors including chemicals, healthcare, and industrials, calculating shareholder return over the two years post-close and incorporating post-close performance data from 2001 to 2011.
more02.04.2012

Chasing Cheaper Cancer Drugs

In a nondescript suburb south of London, tucked away behind a big hospital, Paul Workman and fellow scientists are celebrating victory in the "World Cup" of cancer drug research for their work in discovering a stream of new medicines. But the win is bitter-sweet. One of the new drugs behind the coveted prize from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has been deemed too costly to use in state-run British hospitals like the one next door. It is a stark example of the pricing crisis now facing cancer medicines across the globe. more23.03.2012

Bayer Sets Ambitious Targets for 2014

The Bayer Group sees good perspectives for its businesses in the medium term. "In the life science areas - HealthCare and CropScience - we anticipate further increases in sales and margins through 2014," said CEO Dr. Marijn Dekkers at the "Meet Management" investor conference on Wednesday in Leverkusen. Sales of Bayer HealthCare are expected to reach approx. €20 billion in 2014, while Bayer CropScience aims to raise sales to more than €8 billion. more15.03.2012

Bayer Sees Healthcare Business Driving Growth

German chemicals and drugs group Bayer expects higher profit margins and sales at its healthcare division over the next three years, where product launches are set to boost prescription drug sales by 16%. The healthcare division, which also makes non-prescription and animal health drugs, contrast agents and blood glucose meters, is aiming for sales of roughly €20 billion ($26.2 billion) in 2014, up from €17.2 billion last year, Germany's largest drugmaker said. more12.03.2012

Bayer Sounds Out Debt Market with Eye On Deals

Bayer is sounding out its debt financing options with banks to prepare for takeover opportunities such as one that may arise from Pfizer's mooted exit from veterinary medicine, people familiar with the matter said. Germany's largest drugmaker is encouraged by increasingly favorable market conditions for corporate bond issuers but is not eyeing a specific takeover deal, the sources said. more29.02.2012

Bayer Profit Hit By Weak Plastics Business

German chemicals and drugs group Bayer posted a 9% drop in fourth-quarter profit as price rises failed to offset soaring oil-derived raw materials costs at its plastics division. Bayer's MaterialScience unit, the world's No. 1 maker of foam chemicals and transparent plastics for car lights and sports goggles, reported a 64% slump in adjusted earnings. more15.02.2012

Clariant Prepares For Sluggish Start To 2012

Clariant is bracing for a sluggish start to the year, the Swiss specialty chemicals maker said on Wednesday when it posted a sharper-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter profit. Net profit fell to 10 million Swiss francs ($11 million) from 47 million in the 2010 period, compared with a forecast for 40.5 million as the strong franc and higher raw material prices took their toll. more