Japan suspends use of pediatric vaccines from Pfizer & Sanofi

Bloomberg is reporting that the Japanese ministry of health has suspended the use of pediatric vaccines from Sanofi Aventis (SAN.PA) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), following the deaths of four children, between March 2 and March 4.

Pfizer's Prevenar and Sanofi's ActHIB have been suspended in Japan at least until tomorrow, until a panel can meet to discuss the deaths.

Prevnar is used to protect children from meningitis and pneumonia. While ActHIB is used to prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b.

The Bloomberg article can be found here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-07/japan-stops-use-of-pfizer-sanofi-vaccines-on-four-deaths-1-.html

Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) acquires BMP Sunstone (NASDAQ: BJGP) for $ 10/share

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) announced the consummation of the previously announced merger with BMP Sunstone (BJGP), following a special meeting held today.

BMP Sunstone will provide a portfolio of products for the Chinese market, including pediatric and women’s health products sold in pharmacies throughout China.

According to the announcement, with “the closing of the merger, BMP Sunstone common stock will no longer trade on the NASDAQ Global Market following today's market close and will be delisted.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as counsel to BMP Sunstone. Stephens Inc. acted as financial advisor to BMP Sunstone. Shearman & Sterling LLP served as counsel to sanofi-aventis. Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor to sanofi-aventis.”

The press release is available: here

FDA investigates unusual spike in seizures related to the flu. Sanofi's "Fluzone" under the microscope.

The FDA is investigating reports that pharmaceutical giant Sanofi's "Fluzone" may be causing an upswing in febrile seizures in children under two years of age. Although this is alarming news, there has been no change in the CDC's recommendations for the flu vaccine.

The link to the FDA page is here:
http://bit.ly/fAH8C2

Reports that children are suffering from seizures due to flu vaccine. FDA investigating.

There may be a problem with pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventus's flu vaccine ("Fluzone"), according to a report from Reuters. The FDA is looking into reports that children under the age of two are suffering from seizures related to the flu.



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