> A federal judge in Boston denied Pfizer's attempt to get peer reviews and notes from the New England Journal of Medicine; the ruling follows another, similar decision two weeks ago in favor of the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Archives of Internal Medicine. Report [1]
> Genzyme announced plans to expand its manufacturing and research facilities in Waterford, Ireland, planning to hire another 170 people there. Report [2]
> A German patent court revoked Pfizer's protection on Lipitor's active ingredient, but the company says its basic patent on the med remains in force till November 2011. Report [3]
> Wyeth and Progenics Pharmaceutical got Canadian regulators' approval to sell their Relistor drug designed to relieve constipation caused by opiate pain meds. Report [4]
> Rumors of the Lunesta moth's death have been greatly exaggerated: Sepracor intends to use the animated critter in its DTC ads for some time to come. Report [5]
> Bayer denied rumors that it was on the verge of issuing a profit warning. Report [6]
> Older antipsychotics used to pacify nursing home residents may worsen Alzheimer's symptoms, a new study shows. Report [7]
> ProStrakan got clearance to sell its post-operative anti-nausea drug xomolix in Germany, the U.K., and six other countries. Report [8]
> An experimental drug has demonstrated an ability to improve memory and slow the effects of aging in rats. Researchers believe the same drug--S18986--can interact with AMPA in human brains. Report [9]
> The Myelin Repair Foundation has spent $10 million so far to identify 18 new drug leads for multiple sclerosis. Report [10]
> Genzyme is getting some public backing for a $200 million expansion project in the south of Ireland. Report [11]
> Florida lawmakers are looking to cap biotech investment. Report [12]
And Finally... The brouhaha over heparin has cast a spotlight on the use of animal products in therapies. Report [13]
Links:
[1] http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/04/judge-quashes-pfizer-bid-for-nejm-papers/
[2] http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/408918
[3] http://www.pharmacyeurope.net/default.asp?title=GermancourtrevokesPfizerpatent&page=article.display&article.id=5952
[4] http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5666089.html
[5] http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/04/the-lunesta-moth-wont-be-mothballed-yet/
[6] http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/04/02/afx4843140.html
[7] http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/04/older-antipsychotics-can-worsen-alzheimers/
[8] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/7326002.stm
[9] http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com/story/experimental-drug-stems-aging-effects-in-brain/2008-04-01
[10] http://www.fiercebioresearcher.com/story/foundation-invests-millions-to-find-ms-drug-leads/2008-04-01
[11] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/genzyme-gets-public-backing-for-200m-expansion/2008-04-01
[12] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/florida-lawmakers-look-to-cap-biotech-investment/2008-04-01
[13] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/developers-seek-alternatives-to-animal-ingredients/2008-04-01