Oxford Pharmascience is hunting for a marketing partner for two new pain drugs. The U.K.-based pharma started contacting big drugmakers last fall, and has now hired consultants to pursue a deal on OXPzero Ibuprofen and OXPzero Naproxen. The new meds are reformulations of the two common pain relievers, tweaked to taste better and minimize digestive upset. Release
> As the debate over drug prices escalated last year, the pharma industry trade group PhRMA hiked its lobbying spending to $18.32 million, up from $16.51 million in 2014. Report
> Denmark-based Novo Nordisk ($NVO) is staffing up in Iran and continuing work on an expanded manufacturing presence as sanctions lift in the country. Report
> Allergan ($AGN) won expanded FDA approval for Botox as a treatment for muscle spasticity; the new nod for the drug, best known as a cosmetic treatment, covers muscles in the ankle and toes. Release
> Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) appointed AKQA to be its digital agency of record for its baby products in China. Report
And Finally... Big Pharma companies are top MBA recruiters, a recent report shows. Report