Novartis to shutter two French sites; Some docs call epilepsy-drug warning 'overreaction''

> Novartis plans to close two sites at Rueil-Malmaison and Orleans-la-Source in France and transfer the operations to other countries in a move that will affect 80 employees. Report [1]

> Some doctors worry that a new "black box" warning on epilepsy drugs -- under discussion today at an FDA advisory panel meeting -- might be an overreaction. Report [2]

> New research into the selling of drugs online has found that, while the number of sites offering drugs has declined for the first time since 2004, overall availability is still too high. Report [3]

> Actavis announced the launch of Bicalutamide tablets in the United Kingdom, Germany and France; it's the first generic version of the prostate cancer drug available in those three markets. Release [4]

> Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals has acquired the gallstone treatment Chenofalk from the Germany-based Dr Falk Pharma. Report [5]

> Invitrogen has won FDA approval of a test that can determine whether a woman with breast cancer will benefit from Genentech's Herceptin. Report [6]

> It looks like Solvay, not Gen-Probe [7], will be buying Belgium's Innogenetics. Report [8]

> Sangamo and Sigma-Aldrich have inked a deal with Roche for the use of zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology to develop cell-lines and transgenic animals that have targeted modifications in a specified gene in a specified species. Report [9]

> Xconomy's Luke Timmerman profiles the work of Genocea Biosciences, which is developing a low-cost, next-gen pneumococcus vaccine that can outperform the blockbuster Prevnar. Report [10]

> Rockville, MD-based Emergent BioSolutions has filed suit against Protein Sciences, saying the vaccine developer never planned to follow through on a planned $75 million acquisition agreement. Report [11]

And Finally... The best treatment for older men with early-stage prostate cancer may be no treatment. Report [12]