The French state owned energy supplier EDF has increased its presence in the UK electricity retail market by acquiring British Energy, thereby extending its market share in the UK business segment to around 30%. This is, however, unlikely to affect competition in the UK market.

Continue reading “UK Energy Retail: EDF/BE Merger Will Dominate, But Not Monopolise” »

The fast paced lives of most consumers mean that any product which saves time is appealing. This month’s look at new personal care products sees the introduction of some dual function products that claim to offer multiple benefits. These could help consumers to save time, money and room in their baggage. NYL Laboratories has introduced the Tutto in 1 Body/Oral Hygiene in Italy. This consists of a body wash, shampoo and toothpaste in one, highlighting one of the more unusual forms of multi-tasking products to appear recently. The product is said to be ideal for those who are traveling, as it takes up less luggage space. While the product is no doubt convenient, it is quite a leap from hair care to dental care in a single product, which could detract consumers from a purchase.

Continue reading “Dual Function Personal Care Products Grow in Popularity” »

The European Union’s industry committee has voted to half its biofuels target for 2020, reducing it from 10% to 5% of total road fuel in energy terms. Given the large differences in the consumption of biofuels across Europe, the effect of this change, if implemented, would differ greatly between markets.

Continue reading “Despite Environmental Benefits: EU Committee Votes To Cut Biofuels Target by Half” »

UCB has announced that the European Commission has approved Vimpat for the treatment of epilepsy in patients 16 years and older. Vimpat holds the potential to improve quality of life for patients across the seven major markets whose seizures remain inadequately controlled with available treatments, and will also help to support UCB’s market leading epilepsy franchise.

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Innocent has launched a range of vegetable-based meals called Veg Pots. Innocent Drinks has extended its brand to include vegetable-based products for the first time, with the launch of four varieties of prepared meals that will initially be available in Waitrose stores. The move continues the company’s health focus, but it is debatable whether Veg Pots will have the same appeal as its popular fruit smoothies.

Continue reading “Innocent Drinks: Moving into Vegetables Could be Far from Smooth” »

Erbitux failed to meet both its primary endpoint of progression-free survival and secondary endpoint of overall survival in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in a Phase III trial. However, given that Erbitux’s efficacy was previously demonstrated in the larger Phase III FLEX trial, these latest results are unlikely to jeopardise a US approval for the same indication.

Continue reading “Despite Disappointment Erbitux is Set for US Approval” »

With the costs of providing healthcare spiralling, governments and payers across the seven major markets are implementing cost-cutting initiatives in an effort to combat these escalating healthcare costs, which in turn is putting even greater pressure on pharma companies. Recently the National institute of clinical excellence (NICE) in the UK rejected four new kidney cancer therapies on the basis of cost effectiveness. This decision effectively denies patients access to these novel drugs, a decision that has angered healthcare professional and patients alike.

Continue reading “Is the Credit Crunch Impacting Pharmaceutical Innovation?” »

BP and Verenium Corporation have announced a joint venture to accelerate the development and commercialisation of cellulosic ethanol, a biofuel that can be made from waste biomass products. BP’s partnership with Verenium is a reflection of the high rewards available to the first company to commercialise second-generation biofuels on a large scale.

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According to the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI), the world’s 66 steel manufacturing countries collectively produced 696 million tonnes of crude steel in the initial six months of 2008, a rise of 5.7% against January-June 2007.
Continue reading “High Demand and Strong Investments saw the Global Steel Industry rise 5.7% in the First Half of 2008″ »

Hovis is looking to rejuvenate its brand and increase its share of the UK bread market.

Premier Foods is set to relaunch its Hovis brand with a GBP13 million advertising campaign. A new logo, new product lines and a series of television adverts will be used in an effort to turn around a decline in market share. Although Hovis has already seen an increase in sales through the first quarter of 2008, competition from key rivals Warburtons and Kingsmill remains fierce.

Continue reading “Hovis’ Relaunch Set to Earn Them More Dough” »