Novo Nordisk beats profits, but analysts unsatisfied; Lonza pulls out of hunt for Patheon deal;

> Novo Nordisk reported a bigger-than-forecast rise in operating profits for the third quarter, but its shares fell as analysts said new 2010 guidance missed expectations. Report [1]

> Lonza has withdrawn its offer for Canadian contract manufacturer Patheon, citing value considerations, rejection of the bid by JLL and the availability of alternatives. Report [2]

> Generic drugmaker Mylan posted better-than-expected third-quarter results, benefiting from acquisition-related cost cuts. Report [3]

> The federal government needs to further step up efforts to fight Medicare and Medicaid fraud to generate more savings to help pay for a health-care overhaul, lawmakers said. Report [4]

> Rheumatoid arthritis patients did not experience an elevated cancer risk in the first 6 years after starting anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, researchers said. Report [5]

Biotech News

> Following a rough path [6] taken by Omeros recently, Aldagen is setting out to see if investors will buy into an IPO for a money-losing biotech with late-stage prospects and high hopes for its stem cell therapies. Article [7]

> Just a few weeks after completing a $35 million equity financing deal, Fremont, CA-based ARYx Therapeutics [8] axed about a quarter of its staff, throttling down on its burn rate as it works to line up critical partnership deals on its experimental therapies. Report [9]

> In a big endorsement of Micromet's approach to developing antibodies for cancer, Sanofi-Aventis has signed off on a $475 million deal that starts small but can lead to a series of rich prices for the developer. Micromet news [10]

> The FDA handed Transcept Pharmaceuticals some bitter news, denying approval of its sleep drug Intermezzo and asking for the kind of data that may require one or more new safety studies. Investors were quick to bail, sending Transcept's shares down by 46 percent this morning as analysts totted up the prospective costs of a serious delay. Report [11]

> Virdante Pharmaceuticals has received a fresh injection of capital, raising its total Series A to $47.75 million. VC article [12]

Vaccine News

> While the H1N1 pandemic is highlighting both the progress seen in developing new vaccines as well as the opportunities ahead for developers with new technology to offer, it's also providing epidemiologists with a real-world look into how viruses spread. Report [13]

> With the political pressure over the shortage of swine flu vaccine quickly reaching a boil, the world's biggest drug manufacturers are scrambling to reassure an anxious U.S. government that large supplies of H1N1 vaccine shots are on the way. Article [14]

> Novavax, meanwhile, has begun construction of a new vaccine manufacturing center in India which will rely on its virus-like particle technology to produce 60 million doses a year. Novavax news [15]

> Microbix is blueprinting a $200M vaccine plant in China. Article [16]

Special Report: The 2009 Biotech Graveyard [17]

Slideshow: The Top 15 Women in Pharma [18]

And Finally... A genetic tendency to depression is much less likely to be realized in a culture centered on collectivistic rather than individualistic values. Report [19]