> Pharmalot has been crunching the numbers for R&D jobs and concludes that the U.S. is seeing a considerable amount of shrinkage in the field. Report
> Germany's Paion has agreed to buy CeNes Pharmaceutical, a struggling pain products manufacturer, in a $20.6 million share swap. Report
> U.K. drugmakers are proposing new pricing plans--such as money-back offers and discounts--for the National Health Service to try in its new pricing scheme. Report
> The FDA has hired Frank Forti as its first chief scientist, whose first duty will be to help launch an FDA Fellowship program. Report
> Merck KGaA will hand over the reins of its chemical division to Bernd Reckmann, a current board member, as of July 1; Reckmann will take over from Walter Zywottek, who's retiring. Report
> Endo Pharma has approved a $750 million share repurchase program and a $345 million convertible notes offering. Report
> Salix Pharmaceuticals says rival Novel Laboratories is challenging the patent on its bowel-cleansing drug Moviprep. Report
> Ista Pharmaceuticals has been subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney's office in Buffalo for documents relating to its promotion and marketing of its Xibrom eye drug. Release
> Health experts say that an outbreak of mumps two years ago among college students occurred even though most of them had received a recommended vaccine. Report
> Shares of Crucell jumped after the developer announced that an early-stage trial of an experimental tuberculosis vaccine demonstrated a promising immune response in volunteers. Report
> An outbreak of dengue fever in and around Rio de Janeiro has afflicted more than 75,000 people since the beginning of the year, with 12 people dying in just the past week. Report
> With its planned merger involving Raven Biotechnologies on the rocks, a struggling VaxGen is cutting down to a skeletal staff, laying off 70 percent of its remaining 22 employees. Report
> Canada's streamlined approval process raises protests. Report
And Finally... Heavy-duty housecleaning for at least 20 minutes a week could relieve your stress and anxiety by 20 percent. Scrub brush, anyone? Report