News in brief
Acorda”™s sales up
Acorda Therapeutics Inc. in Hawthorne said unaudited net sales of its Ampyra extended-release tablets for multiple sclerosis patients amounted to $210 million in 2011, up from $141.4 million in 2010.
Fourth-quarter net sales of the neurological drug, which improves walking in MS patients, were $57 million, up from third-quarter sales of $54.7 million and $55.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The Hawthorne-based company has not completed its year-end audit. Acorda reiterated its 2011 net sales guidance for Ampyra of $205 million to $230 million.
In 2012, the company projected net sales of $255 million to $275 million for Ampyra in 2012 and combined revenue of at least $25 million for its Zanaflex drug, a short-term treatment for spasticity in neurological patients, and royalties from foreign-market sales of Fampyra.
With sales, general and administrative expense projected at $145 million to $160 million in 2012 and research and development at $50 million to $60 million, Acorda expects a positive cash flow this year.
Ron Cohen, Acorda Therapeutics president and CEO, in a press release said company officials believe “there is still significant opportunity to expand patient awareness of Ampyra and drive further growth of the brand,” which on average is used 12 months by patients prescribed the drug.
Cohen said the biotech company is studying Ampyra”™s effectiveness in treating a range of other neurological diseases, including cerebral palsy and chronic stroke.
New year, new name
Schnurmacher Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in White Plains will be rebranded as a CenterLight Health System affiliate by its Bronx-based parent company.
The Beth Abraham Family of Health Services in February will rename itself CenterLight Health System. The organization”™s two comprehensive care management day centers in Westchester at 260 Warburton Ave. in Yonkers and at 335 Old Tarrytown Road in Greenburgh will be called CenterLight Healthcare.
The Schnurmacher name will continue in use at the 200-patient skilled-nursing and rehabilitation center at 12 Tibbets Ave. in White Plains, but with the CenterLight Health System brand added to it.
The CenterLight Health System serves 9,000 disabled and chronically ill patients daily at its 40 metropolitan health care facilities and employs 3,700 workers.
ENTA execs rewarded
A fast-growing physicians”™ group practice headquartered in Tarrytown, ENT and Allergy Associates L.L.P., has extended the contracts of its two top executives through 2021.
CEO Robert Glazer and Chief Financial Officer Arthur Schwacke were rewarded for leading the specialty practice”™s 14-year growth from 12 partners and eight offices to 60 partners, and 127 physicians in all, at 36 clinical locations serving ear, nose, throat, allergy and audiology patients in the tristate region.
ENTA physicians in a press release said Glazer, a health care administrator for more than 35 years, also has pursued proprietary affiliations with academic medical institutions, added valued sub-specialties to the practice and has recruited “the best and the brightest” doctors.
Wayne Eisman, ENTA president, called Glazer”™s and Schwacke”™s impact on the practice “literally transformational. Simply stated, we would not be what we are today without these unique people at the helm.”