ALSO NOTED: Tarceva gets Japan's nod; FDA blesses Novartis arthritis remedy;

> Japanese drug regulators approved Roche's lung cancer drug Tarceva, made by OSI Pharmaceuticals. Release

> The FDA has given its blessing to Novartis' Voltaren, a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gel for relief of osteoarthritis pain; systemic absorption is 94 percent less than with oral NSAID formulations, the company said. Release

> Solvay has inked a deal with Abbott Laboratories to jointly promote Abbott's combination cholesterol drug Simcor, which puts simvastatin and Niaspan in one pill. Release

> In a major setback for Dor BioPharma, the FDA has issued a not approvable letter for the company's lead drug orBec, a treatment for gastrointestinal Graft-versus-Host disease (GI GVHD). Report

> Ranbaxy, one of India's largest drug makers and a dominant force in the generic drugs business, is spinning off its R&D unit that will develop new medicines. Report

And Finally... Cancer death rates, part II: They're down overall, but certain cancers, such as myeloma, are on the uptick. Report