Valeant Buys Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Maker of Just-Approved Female Libido Medication

Valeant’s purchase of Sprout will include $500 million cash up front as well as $500 million when the deal is closed, which is expected to be in early 2016. In addition, Valeant has agreed to give Sprout a portion of future revenues if certain milestones are met, although neither party would discuss specifics. Sprout CEO Cindy Whitehead will join Valeant and lead the division responsible for Addyi.


U.S PTO Proposes Substantial Rule Changes for Patent Law Litigation

The USPTO is taking the proposed rule changes on tour, conducting road shows entitled, “Enhancing Patent Quality and Conducting AIA Trials.” The office will be visiting Santa Clara, CA on August 24th, Dallas, TX on August 26th, and then conduct an exhibition at its home office in Alexandria VA on August 28.


DUMPED! Hackers Reveal Ashley Madison User Info Online

Although many have likely shrugged or scoffed upon hearing news of the data dump, the ramifications of the disclosures run far deeper than just major relationship troubles. Over 10,000 of the compromised email addresses had .gov extensions with an estimated 5,000 more having .mil (military) suffixes. Adultery is punishable up to a year in prison in the military and can lead to a pension-forfeiting dishonorable discharge.


Yelp Adds Reviews of Government Agencies on its Website

Justin Herman, who heads up the social media initiative within the GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, said “We’re moving into a world in which social media is the charge that fuels the circuit of collaborative public service.”


“Female Viagra” Drug, Flibanserin Approved by FDA on Third Attempt

Unlike its counterpart medications for male erectile dysfunction like Viagra or Cialis, Addyi will not be taken on an “as needed” basis. Citing differences in sexual function between men and women, clinical sex therapist Judy Kuriansky said, “Women’s sexuality is very complicated. It’s not a matter of just taking that pill, by the way, and then all of a sudden the lights go on.” Kuriansky added, “You have to feel good about your body. You have to feel good about yourself. You have to feel the guy really loves you. It’s complex.




Duodenoscope Sterilization a Focus as FDA Warns Three Device Makers

The regulator sent the letters to the Olympus, Fujifilm, and Pentax as part of an effort to fight against a wave of deadly bacterial infections attributed to the insufficient cleaning and sterilization of the devices. Duodenoscopes are reusable flexible tubes that go down the throat in order to treat gastrointestinal tract ailments.


NLRB Claims Lack of Jurisdiction, Dismisses Northwestern Football Players’ Petition to Unionize

In the dismissal, the NLRB wrote, “the Board held that asserting jurisdiction would not promote labor stability due to the nature and structure of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).” The NLRB wrote that the dismissal is specific to this particular petition saying, “This decision is narrowly focused to apply only to the players in this case and does not preclude reconsideration of this issue in the future.”


Volkswagen Issues new Airbag-Related Recall

Although this latest recall adds to the list of airbag-related defects, it does not appear to be connected to the massive recall from Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata, which has affected 11 automakers and an estimated 50 million vehicles worldwide.