NEW YORK (Reuters) – Shire Plc (SHP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) sees a strong market for its recently acquired Dermagraft skin substitute due to surging rates of diabetes that can cause foot ulcers in a significant number of patients, according to its chief executive.

Shire acquired Dermagraft through its $750 million purchase of privately held Advanced BioHealing in June. The bio-engineered product last month flunked a late stage study for treating leg ulcers.

By Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) – Express Scripts Inc (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) might lose a “small fraction” of its business from a dispute with drugstore chain Walgreen Co (WAG.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), its chief financial officer said on Wednesday, but it would not be a significant amount.

Express Scripts, which manages prescription drug benefits for employers and other clients, has been locked in a high-stakes public dispute with Walgreen since June, when the largest U.S. drugstore chain said it would stop filling prescriptions covered by Express Scripts at the end of the year after failing to agree on contract terms.

Sept 14 (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has not decided how
it might divest its nutrition or animal health businesses, the
drugmaker’s chief financial officer said on Wednesday.

Pfizer in July announced it was exploring options,
including spin-off or sale, of the two businesses. Their
combined value could reach about $25 billion to $32 billion,
according to Credit Suisse analyst Catherine Arnold.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Allergan Inc (AGN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is not worried about over-reliance on sales of its flagship Botox drug, the company’s chief said, citing extensive safety data and supply reserves of the injectable medicine.

The wrinkle-smoothing treatment recently won U.S. approval to treat migraine headaches and overactive bladders, positioning it for an even bigger chunk of Allergan’s sales than the 30 percent it commands now.

By Lewis Krauskopf

(Reuters) – Health insurer Aetna Inc (AET.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) expects to reap even greater profits this year as Americans file fewer medical claims, unable to afford more than basic health services in a weak economy.

Shares of the No. 3 U.S. health insurer rose 4.5 percent as the company said it would likely beat its own full-year 2011 earnings forecast.

Sept 13 (Reuters) – Health insurer Aetna Inc (AET.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
expects to exceed its full-year profit forecast as U.S.
patients have yet to pick up their use of medical services in a
weak economy.

The higher forecast from the No. 3 U.S. health insurer is
the latest sign that the industry may continue to post
better-than-expected profits this year. Health insurer shares
have well out-performed the broader market this year.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – At their roots, Express Scripts Inc (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Medco Health Solutions Inc (MHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) share the same goal: Reduce drug and healthcare costs for their clients.

But the similarities largely end there. Before announcing their $29 billion merger, the two U.S. pharmacy benefit managers were pursuing vastly different strategies.

CHICAGO/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Medtronic Inc’s (MDT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) new chief executive vowed to expand more internationally and improve returns from the company’s research spending as he seeks to revive growth at the world’s largest medical device maker.

CEO Omar Ishrak, a former General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) executive, also said the company would seek to become more efficient. He remained committed to returning cash to shareholders, while exploring smaller acquisitions.

CHICAGO/NEW YORK, Aug 23 (Reuters) – Medtronic Inc’s
(MDT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) new chief executive vowed to expand more
internationally and improve returns from the company’s research
spending as he seeks to revive growth at the world’s largest
medical device maker.

CEO Omar Ishrak, a former General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
executive, also said the company would seek to become more
efficient. He remained committed to returning cash to
shareholders, while exploring smaller acquisitions.

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Reuters) – Forest Laboratories Inc
(FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) won its showdown with activist investor Carl Icahn on
Thursday, saying shareholders backed the company’s slate of 10
board members over nominees proposed by the billionaire.

Forest was in a strong position to garner support for its
entire 10-member slate after it won backing last week from
influential proxy advisory firm ISS, although some company
watchers had said Icahn could secure a seat for one of his four
nominees.