> No big surprise: National Cancer Institute researchers have shown that HPV vaccines can only prevent, not treat, the disease. The study used GlaxoSmithKline's in-development Cervarix, but Merck officials concurred that its Gardasil vaccine isn't designed to treat infections. Report
> The World Health Organization's rep in China is stepping down, despite pleas from Chinese health officials. Henk Bekedam will be replaced by the WHO's man in Vietnam, Hans Troedsson. The moves are billed as normal job rotation at the WHO. China's health minister apparently asked Bekedam to stay on personally. Report (WSJ sub. req.)
> Miami's Noven Pharmaceuticals has wrapped up its $125 million buyout of JDS Pharmaceuticals, which brings two psychiatry drugs and a pipeline of hopefuls with it. Noven officials said JDS could yield one new drug each of the next four years. Report
> Millipore has inked a deal for exclusive worldwide rights to sell Novo Nordisk's recombinant human insulin, widely used in the manufacture of biologic drugs. Release
> Blood-sugar regulator or anti-cancer drug? Maybe both, in the case of Metformin. University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the diabetes drug inhibited tumor growth in mice. The cancers affected by Metformin are a type that tend to be aggressive and resistant to existing treatments. Report
And Finally... Maybe the FDA should take a trip to the amusement park. A new study shows that new, super-intense roller coasters can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythms. One study volunteer was afflicted with atrial fibrillation on a German ride, and another experienced ventricular tachycardia. Black-box worthy? No more so than running a marathon. Report