> The weak dollar and the loss of a key patent depressed Boehringer Ingelheim's full-year results; sales grew 3.6 percent, fed mostly by the 30 percent jump in its lung treatment Spiriva. Report [1]
> Less than a month after seeing its lead drug candidate go down in flames in a late-stage trial, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals announced plans to restructure, chopping its workforce in half as it reduces the company's burn rate. Report [2]
> A high-profile crew of biopharma execs are signing on to help promote the life sciences industry in the UK. Report [3]
> Ranbaxy Laboratories got Japanese regulators' blessing for its generic form of Pfizer's angina and blood-pressure med Norvasc. Report [4]
> Australian women with advanced breast cancer will have cheaper access to the GlaxoSmithKline treatment Tykerb as the national drug program adds it to the formulary. Report [5]
> TPG Capital, a U.S. private equity group, is plowing $800 million into SIA International, a Russian pharma distribution company, in exchange for a 50 percent stake. Report [6]
> A stolen Pfizer laptop contained personal info on 800 employees and contractors, including credit card numbers, addresses, and phone numbers; the burgled computer marks the fifth data breach at the drugmaker since January 2007. Report [7]
> Alzheimer's treatment Aricept may be useful for treating stroke and accident victims, aiding memory and concentration, a small study shows. Report [8]
> Funds from non-profit groups are flowing to biotech R&D. Report [9]
And Finally... The ever-growing blogosphere has a new voice--none other than FDA commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. Report [10]
Links:
[1] http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/04/08/afx4865642.html
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/keryx-triggers-big-shakeup-to-counter-trial-fiasco/2008-04-07
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/biopharma-execs-sign-on-to-tout-uk-s-rd-work/2008-04-07
[4] http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-24336325.htm
[5] http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/08/2210869.htm?section=australia
[6] http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a54bf7f0-04cf-11dd-a2f0-000077b07658.html
[7] http://theday.com/re.aspx?re=6b8c60cf-8fa2-43f1-9238-6dba8792cfa3
[8] http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=Drug%22mayaidheadinjurypatients%22&page=article.display&article.id=9876
[9] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/funds-from-non-profit-groups-flow-to-biotech-rd/2008-04-07
[10] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/eschenbach-offers-andy-s-take-on-fda-issues/2008-04-04