Canada

Analysts hold back on predicting new heights for B+L until full split from parent firm. It reported Q4 revenue up 9% to $1.28bn and full-year revenue up 16% to $4.79bn.

Canada’s largest generics manufacturer Apotex will look to expand its channels to include health food stores, new professional channels including naturopathic doctors, and grocery retail channels, after acquiring Ontario-based natural health firm CanPrev for an undisclosed sum.

Dr Reddy’s hopes to be the “first one in the pack”, when Ozempic loses patent cover next year in markets like Canada, where the semaglutide opportunity is projected at $2bn. Openings for the product in 80 smaller markets also loom, it said, but the GLP-1 agonist won’t ‘replace’ generic Revlimid and all business levers will have to grow.

Anheuser-Busch enters energy drinks space with 1st Phorm; TopGum adds Canadian gummy manufacturer; Resbiotic Nutrition expands distribution to Mexico; SameDaySupplements adds custom Stacks; ‘tailored offerings’ for supplement payment processing; marketing boost for Enroute Nutrition for dietary management of surgery.

CEO Pascal Soriot said the deal, which will create more than 700 new jobs, reflected “our strong belief in Canada’s potential as a global hub for life sciences innovation, and the value of public-private collaboration.”

Almost a year since the establishment of an expanded CDMO business unit, Canada’s Pharmascience has doubled down on its plans to expand its presence through the pharmaceutical industry.

Partners Fresenius and Formycon have racked up another pair of approvals for their Otulfi ustekinumab biosimilar rival to Stelara, this time in the UK and Canada.

As efforts to improve diversity in clinical trials gain momentum globally, regulators in the UK, the EU, Canada, Australia and Japan were asked about their efforts to support representative enrolment. 

We review the most notable regulatory developments of the past year, with experts outlining for Generics Bulletin the regulatory to-do list for 2025.

This year, regulators questioned the US interchangeability designation and the need for comparative efficacy trials, while finding ways to promote biosimilar development and accessibility. Will this momentum continue in 2025? Generics Bulletin spoke to experts from across the industry to hear their views.