Sanofi taps Chew as chief science/medical officer; Pfizer gets reissued Lipitor patent;

> Sanofi-Aventis named Dr. Paul Chew to the newly created position of chief science officer-chief medical officer, effective April 1; he had been president of R&D. Report [1]

> Pfizer said the U.S. Patent Office has granted a reissued patent on Lipitor, which will expire June 2011, including the six-month pediatric exclusivity period. Release [2]

> Warner Chilcott said it received a Paragraph IV notice from Impax, advising that Impax filed for FDA approval for a copycat version of Warner's tetracycline-class antibiotic Doryx. Release [3]

> Impax Laboratories confirmed that it also has initiated a challenge to the patents listed by Genzyme in connection with its phosphate binder Renagel. Release [4]

> The wrinkle-fighter Botox is often used off-label to help stroke victims recover -- it's so widely accepted that Medicare usually pays--but only about 5 percent of patients who could benefit actually get the treatment. Report [5]

> Noven Pharmaceuticals confirmed that Shire has withdrawn the European marketing authorization application for Daytrana, a drug used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Report [6]

> MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals launched its once-daily amoxicillin drug Moxatag, indicated for treatment of pharyngitis/tonsillitis stemming from strep infection. Report [7]

> Boehringer Ingelheim is "going ahead" with part of its $500 million expansion planned for Ridgefield, Conn., though it plans to move forward cautiously given the state of the economy, a Ridgefield selectman said. Report [8]

> Eli Lilly has selected DHL to manage its promotional logistics operations in Europe under a three-year contract. Report [9]

> Pharmacyclics named Dr. Ahmed Hamdy as its new chief medical officer; he had been responsible for gastroenterology and autoimmune drugs at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Report [10]

> As expected, President Barack Obama named former New York health commissioner Margaret Hamburg (photo [11]) as the new head of the FDA and Baltimore health commissioner Joshua Sharfstein (photo [12]) as her deputy. Report [13]

> With an expert panel review looming on Wednesday, the leader of the FDA's drug review team says that Sanofi-Aventis' Multaq--a prospective blockbuster--should be approved for treating a common heart rhythm problem. Report [14]

> Now that Roche has sealed its pact to acquire all of Genentech, the focus is shifting to Roche's ability to complete the takeover without killing the goose that has laid so many golden eggs. As Chairman Franz Hummer tells it, Roche has no intention of trying to change things overnight--with one exception. Report [15]

> Roche AG is scooping up Germany's Innovatis AG--which works in the cellular analytics field--for slightly more than $19 million. Report [16]

> A vehicle belonging to a university researcher at UCLA was firebombed recently, the latest in a string of attacks [17] carried out by members of a radical animal-rights group. Report [18]

> A new generation of therapies targeted at Alzheimer's disease could play a key role in fighting the long-term damage inflicted by brain trauma. Report [19]

And Finally... Johnson & Johnson launched a teen soap opera to promote its Clean & Clear skincare brand. Report [20]