> The state government of Queensland, Australia, has opened up its stockpiles of Tamiflu and Relenza to combat a killer flu outbreak in which 5,000 have sought hospital care within the past month. Meanwhile, one of the scientists who helped create the drug is calling on the Australian government to grant Tamiflu over-the-counter status. Report
> Biomarin Pharmaceuticals' Japanese partner is trying to bring the drug Nagalzyme to that country. Japan-based AnGes has asked the Japanese Ministry of Health to approve the drug, used to treat a genetic enzyme deficiency, for sale. Release
> Shares in Lifecycle Pharma got a big boost this morning with the regulatory approval of the company's new cholesterol treatment, LCP-FenoChol. The FDA's nod translates into a milestone payment of $4 million from Lifecycle's U.S. marketing partner Sciele. The drug is expected to hit the U.S. market later this year. Release
> Indian generics maker Ranbaxy won FDA approval to manufacture the diabetes drug Metformin Hydrochloride, through Ohm Laboratories, its U.S. subsidiary-slash-joint venture with Ipca Laboratories. Ipca will make the drug in a new manufacturing unit in Indore, India, and Ranbaxy will sell it in the U.S. through its established distribution network. Report
And Finally... Call it the Reverse Tin-Man Effect: The first recipient of a titanium heart, Peter Houghton, says he's healthier than he was before the transplant seven years ago, but he's also, well, a little hard-hearted now. Report