Wyeth, Impax make deal on generic Effexor; Biovail to rerun its proxy fight;

> A federal court has approved a settlement under which Wyeth will give Impax Laboratories a license to make a lower-cost generic of its Effexor XR antidepressant beginning in June 2011. Report [1]

> Biovail founder Eugene Melnyk persauded an Ontario Superior Court to force the company to hold its second shareholder meeting in less than a month to determine who will run it: Melnyk's slate of replacement directors or Biovail's nominees. Report [2]

> A federal circuit court is likely to uphold a preliminary injunction barring the sale of Roche’s anemia med Mircera in the U.S., but the ruling will be closely watched to see if the court addresses the ”public interest” issue, industry attorneys told Pharmawire. Report [3]

> Some 73 percent of stents implanted in the U.S. last month were drug-coated models, up from a low of 62 percent in December but still down from the 88 percent share they held two years ago. Report [4]

> Wyeth Consumer Healthcare has inked a deal to buy ThermaCare, and over-the-counter heat wrap, from Procter & Gamble. Report [5]

> Cardinal Health agreed to pay a fine of $105,000 to settle a charge by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy that it failed to report increases in drug orders from a rogue internet pharmacist. Report [6]

> A treatment including Rituxan, a Genentech/Biogen Idec drug approved primarily to treat blood cancer, may sharply improve the chances of successful kidney transplants for patients at high risk of rejecting them, a new study found. Report [7]

> Bristol-Myers Squibb sent letters over the past week saying a data tape containing reams of personal information was stolen several weeks ago, and that an untold number of current and former employees and their dependents could be affected, sources told Pharmalot. Report [8]

> PTC Therapeutics has landed $25 million from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to support Phase II development of PTC124. PTC report [9]

> Novartis has extended its pact with Alnylam [10] through October 2009. The deal, which is worth up to $700 million should the collaboration produce results, was first forged in 2005 and is focused on the development, and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics. Alnylam report [11]

> After five years of rapid expansion, India's biotech industry growth has slowed to 20 percent from previous highs of 50 percent, according to the Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE). Report [12]

> Infinity Pharmaceuticals' shares fell on the news that it has halted a Phase II trial of IPI-504 for prostate cancer. Infinity report [13]

And Finally... CDC researchers recommend against some brands of sleeping pills, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants for elderly patients at risk of falling. Report [14]