SkyePharma cuts plant staff by a third; Dr Reddy's forecasts 10% sales growth;

> SkyePharma said it plans to cut its 120-strong workforce at a manufacturing plant in Lyon, France, by one-third, following a 10 percent reduction of the staffing at its R&D facility in Muttenz, Switzerland. Release [1]

> Plans by Europe's biggest drugs distributor, Celesio, to set up a pharmacy chain in its home market of Germany hinge on a European court ruling on Tuesday. Report [2]

> Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy's Laboratories expects revenue growth of 10 percent in the fiscal year to March 2010 because of new product launches, its chief executive officer said. Report [3]

> Cell Therapeutics said it's closing its operations in Bresso, Italy, and has reached agreement with the employee union there regarding a severance package for 56 people. Report [4]

> GlaxoSmithKline took another step to bolster its early-stage pipeline of cancer drugs by signing a deal worth up to $370 million with privately held British biotech group Oxford BioTherapeutics. Release [5] l Report [6]

> Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical has signed a deal to snap up IDM Pharma for $2.64 a share, or about $70 million. Report [7]

> Xconomy reports that GlaxoSmithKline has spun-off Tempero Pharmaceuticals from GSK's Immuno-Inflammation Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery. Report [8]

> New York City council members, Senator Tom Duane (D-NY) and Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-NY) are urging legislators to back a bill that would offer $3 million a year in tax breaks. Report [9]

> The once high-flying diagnostic company Nanogen has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, saying that it plans to sell off almost all its assets to French company Elitech Group for $25.7 million. Report [10]

> Less than a month after announcing an $8 million closing [11], San Diego, CA-based start-up Anaphore has pulled in another $13 million and three new investors. Report [12]

> GlobeImmune will receive $40 million up front in a deal with Celgene that could be worth up to $500 million. The two companies have entered into a worldwide strategic collaboration for the discovery, development and commercialization of cancer therapies. Report [13]

And Finally... Taking a DHEA supplement combined with vitamin D and calcium can significantly improve spinal bone density in older women, a new study found. Release [14]