HHS subpoenas Gilead over Ranexa
The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has subpoenaed documents from Gilead Sciences regarding the development, marketing and sales of its angina drug Ranexa (ranolazine).

Ranexa is approved for the treatment of chronic angina and was developed and originally commercialized by CV Therapeutics, a company that the Foster City, Calif.-based Gilead acquired in April for approximately $1.4 billion. The acquisition came after the Palo Alto, Calif.-based CV Therapeutics repeatedly refused a take over by the Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma for $1 billion.

In 2008, CV Therapeutics’ two marketed products, Ranexa and Lexiscan (regadenoson) injection, used as a pharmacologic stress agent in radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging in patients unable to undergo adequate exercise stress, contributed to total revenues of $154.5 million, according to the companies.

Gilead has refused to comment on the subpoena, except to acknowledge its receipt.

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