Astra AB gets US Perprazole patent: Swedish drugs group Astra AB said on Thursday it had received its first patent in the US for Perprazole, a follow-up preparation to blockbusting ulcer treatment Losec. "We have received a formula patent in the US, which meansthat we have protected the manufacturing process for Perprazole. It's an unusually strong preparation patent," Astra spokesman John Ahlmark told Reuters. Ahlmark said the patent was so wide-ranging that it ought to be difficult for any other company to manufacture Perprazole. "For Astra it is of course absolutely essential that we get strong patents, and in addition this is on our most important market," he said.Cadbury Q4 US soft drink sales up 3 per cent: UK food and drinks company Cadbury Schweppes Plc said on Thursday that its US soft drinks sales in the fourth quarter of 1997 were up three per cent from a year earlier with total 1997 sales up two per cent. In a statement, the company said Dr Pepper sales grew five per cent in boththe fourth quarter and the full year 1997, continuing strong growth in market share to a record 6.3-per cent of total carbonated soft drinks -- up 0.4 percentage points, according to research from Information Resources Inc.
Suharto warns of efforts to destabilise Indonesia: Indonesia's president Suharto renewed allegations on Thursday that unnamed "parties" had tried to use the country's economic crisis to undermine his government. "We are currently facing economic and monetary turmoil...There is even a hope that this economic and monetary turmoil will lead to a crisis against the government," Suharto said in a speech to senior military officials. Suharto said Indonesia would have zero economic growth in the 1998-99 (April-March) fiscal year, which would be a great barrier for social and economic development in the country.
Telewest, General Cable may merge businesses: Telewest Communications and General Cable are considering an eventual merger of their businesses to create Britain's biggestcable company, the Financial Times said on Thursday. But it said any tieup would hinge on the successful outcome of negotiations over the restructuring of shareholdings in Telecast, Britain's second largest cable company. General Cable, which is majority owned by Generale des Eaux of France, is the fifth biggest cable company in the UK
Pacific Dunlop's Ansell to spend A$150m: Diversified manufacturing group Pacific Dunlop Ltd said on Thursday its rubber products group Ansell was pursuing acquisitions worth A$100 million and also planned capital expenditure of A$50 million to boost capacity. Pacific Dunlop said in its first-half results that demand for Ansell's powder-free gloves continued to grow and additional capacity was being installed to meet requirements. "Consistent with the aim to grow the overall business, Ansell is currently pursuing acquisitions totalling A$100 million, adding capacity and range across its product categories," Pacific Dunlop said.
BMW 1997 motorcycle sales up18 per cent: German carmaker Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) said on Thursday that sales of its motorcycles climbed 18 per cent in 1997 to 1.1 billion marks. The sales, which were a record high for the company, came on the back of deliveries of 54,014 motorcycles, up from 50,465 the year before. BMW's motorcycle sales have increased for five years in a row, the company said in a statement.
Vickers Ballas avoids Indofood, Matahari: Vickers Ballas brokerage on Thursday advised investors to avoid Indofood and Matahari and recommended Fiskaragung and Davomas Abadi as a buy. It said the outlook for noodle maker Indofood and retailer Matahari was grim as they earned in rupiah while expenditure was in dollars. Vickers also put retailers Multipolar and HeroSupermarket among the losers along with Modern Photo and pharmaceutical firm Kalbe Farma. Chocolate concern Davomas and salt firm Fiskaragung had survived the currency crisis as they earned in dollars or rupiah while expenditure was in rupiah, itsaid.
Rexel buys Ideal Australia, NZ units: Electrical equipment company Rexel, a subsidiary of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, said on Thursday it had struck agreements to buy the activities of Ideal Electrical Suppliers in Australia and New Zealand with sales totalling 820 million francs. The acquisitions, of which terms were not disclosed, follow an agreement last month by Rexel to buy the activities of Britain's GEC Plc in Australia and New Zealand. They generate 1.6 billion francs in sales in the two countries. "Thanks to these investments, Rexel will be the leading supplier of electrical material in New Zealand with 40 per cent of the market, and number three in Australia with a 20-per cent market share," Rexel said in a statement.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
