> Merck is stepping up its presence on the Emerald Isle. The drug maker plans to invest $295 million in a new vaccine-production plant in Carlow, Ireland, creating 170 jobs in the process. The new facility will include a formulation and filling operation, plus a research team. Construction is set to begin next year. Report
> Roche accepted the FDA's recommendation for a stronger warning label on Tamiflu highlighting the risk of psychiatric problems, but the company emphasized that flu can itself cause delirium and denied any causal relationship between the drug and the hallucinations and other psychiatric disturbances reported in Tamiflu patients. Report
> An activist shareholder group is lobbying to limit the role of Omega Pharma's founder and non-executive director Marc Coucke, who owns 30 percent of Omega's shares. Report
> Glenmark Pharmaceuticals plans a big push into the Nigerian market, with the launch of respiratory, oncology, and metabolic disease meds; currently the company sells dermatology, gynecology, gastroenterology, and anti-infective drugs there. Report
> Denmark's Lifecycle Pharma alerted investors that stronger-than-expected sales are likely to yield a year-end net loss of $28.7 million to $33.6 million, rather than the $50.5 million to $55.4 million loss previously predicted. Report
> Japan's Astellas has forged a deal to buy Santa Monica, CA-based Agensys for $387 million plus up to $150 million more in milestones. Report
And Finally... Curious how the public--and pharma sales folk--reacted to Dr. Drug Rep's confession? The blogosphere is buzzing. Blog | Blog