HONG KONG – Imminent changes to Taiwan's drug approval process could dramatically improve the country's pharmaceutical sector, potentially shortening approval times and boosting growth. Drug developers operating in the country are paying close attention to upcoming reforms, which should be implemented soon.

HONG KONG – Chinese companies, many with improving technologies, continue to use acquisitions to expand their global market share. A case in point is Shanghai-based Microport Scientific Corp., which inked a $15 million investment in Lombard Medical Inc. (NSDQ: EVAR), of Irvine, Calif., a specialist in endovascular aneurysm repair. The investment sets the stage for a strategic partnership that gives Microport the exclusive marketing rights in China and Brazil for Lombard's Aorfix and Altura stent graft products as well as the right to manufacture the products for the China market. For Lombard, the deal has...

HONG KONG – Pfizer Inc. said its FDA breakthrough-designated breast cancer drug, Ibrance (palbociclib), could have a significant impact in Asia, based on a subanalysis in Asian women from a phase III trial, showing that the combination of Ibrance and letrozole significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) by more than 11 months compared with letrozole plus placebo.

HONG KONG – Chinese companies, many with improving technologies, continue to use acquisitions to expand their global market share. A case in point is Shanghai-based Microport Scientific Corp., which inked a $15 million investment in Lombard Medical Inc. (NSDQ: EVAR), of Irvine, Calif., a specialist in endovascular aneurysm repair.

HONG KONG – Pfizer Inc. said its FDA breakthrough-designated breast cancer drug, Ibrance (palbociclib), could have a significant impact in Asia, based on a subanalysis in Asian women from a phase III trial, showing that the combination of Ibrance and letrozole significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) by more than 11 months compared with letrozole plus placebo.