German firm's unit sues Sepracor over drug patent

March 27, 2007

Merck KGaA's Dey unit sued Sepracor Inc. in federal court in New York to prevent the introduction of Brovana, a medicine used to treat chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Marlborough-based Sepracor, maker of the Lunesta sleeping pill and Xopenex asthma treatment, plans to begin selling Brovana in the second quarter, according to the company's website. Dey says Brovana infringes its patent for a spray to open bronchial passages. A Sepracor spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment. (Bloomberg)

CombinatoRx Inc. said an experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug failed to show a significant effect in a clinical trial, while another treatment for the condition proved superior to a commonly used steroid. The drug CRx-139 failed in a study of whether it's more effective than prednisolone to treat inflammation after 70 days of use, the Cambridge-based company said. The company will continue developing its CRx-102 compound after findings confirmed its anti-inflammatory benefits were greater than those for patients who received only prednisolone. (Bloomberg)

When it comes to listening to music on the go, young consumers will likely prefer to rent than buy, according to a report by Pyramid Research, a Cambridge firm that advises clients on technology issues. The report finds that the devaluation of ownership means that models offering access to vast digital libraries on a rental basis are more compelling than just having access to purchased content. (Chris Reidy)

The chairman, president, and chief executive of Waters Corp., Douglas A. Berthiaume, received compensation valued at about $2.3 million in 2006, according to a definitive proxy statement filed by the Milford software and equipment maker. Berthiaume received a base salary of $650,000 and nonequity incentive plan compensation of $1.6 million. He also received $31,758 in other compensation, including an employer match for his 401(k) retirement and employee investment plans, along with a group term life insurance premium. (AP)

THE NATION

Microsoft Corp. will donate $1.5 million to Carnegie Mellon University to create a computer science research center. The Pittsburgh-based university will establish the Microsoft Carnegie Mellon Center for Computational Thinking. The money will be given over three years, Microsoft said. (Bloomberg)

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., battling a dissident shareholder group for control of the board, said it hasn't found a buyer or other options to present to investors at the annual meeting in two days. Take-Two, the maker of the "Grand Theft Auto" video games, is continuing discussions with the investor group, the company said. The failure to find a buyer strengthens the grip of dissenting shareholders as a showdown approaches Thursday. Take-Two delayed the annual meeting and said it may sell itself after investors including Steven Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors LLC and OppenheimerFunds Inc. said they planned to install their own directors and fire chief executive Paul Eibeler. (Bloomberg)

THE WORLD

Xstrata PLC, the world's fifth-largest mining company, agreed to buy Canada's LionOre Mining International Ltd. for $4 billion, increasing nickel production by 36 percent at a time of record-high metal prices. Swiss-based Xstrata will pay $15.94 a share it said yesterday, 5.8 percent more than LionOre's closing price in Toronto last Friday. The purchase will give Xstrata chief executive Mick Davis control of nickel mines in Australia, Botswana, and South Africa in his drive to put the company among the world's three largest nickel producers. The metal, used in stainless steel, surged to a record $48,500 a metric ton on March 16, driven by demand from China. (Bloomberg)