Actavis CEO sees no urgent deal pressure; Merck to appeal $4.6M jury verdict;

 @FiercePharma: Private payers battle high-tech drug costs, too. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Icelandic drugmaker Actavis expects record results in 2010 and is under no pressure in the short term to sell or float the company, its chief executive told Reuters. Story

> Merck said it will appeal a jury verdict in a pricing case, which orders the company to pay $4.6 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Report

> Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA) said new trial data showed its Jevtana drug in combination with prednisone improved the survival rate in advanced prostate cancer patients. Report

> The Johnson & Johnson children's drug set to return to the market after a major recall earlier this year is grape-flavored Liquid Children's Tylenol, made at a plant in Guelph, Canada. News

> The FDA declined to approve Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' application to sell a copycat version of Amgen's Neupogen, effectively delaying any launch of the company's first generic biotech drug sold in the U.S. Article

> Elan said it bought back $155 million in senior notes due in 2013. Item

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Sanofi ejects two R&D sites, forges $2.2B pact with Covance. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

> FDA wants more data on Teva's Neupogen biosimilar. Story

> FDA sets out clinical trial safety rules. Report

And Finally... The Prempro trial judge in Arkansas uses his experience with mules to deal with stubborn lawyers. Article