Amgen in $130M sale-and-license deal; GSK founds oncology unit;

> GlaxoSmithKline has started a new oncology-focused unit, according to a statement release at the European Society of Medical Oncology meeting. Report

> Biovitrum scored a $130 million deal with Amgen to buy the big biotech's Kepivance and Stemgen products and to license its Kineret product for sale worldwide; the three meds generated about $70 million in 2007 sales. Release

> With an appellate court ruling Friday, Teva lost its claim of 180-day exclusivity for the sale of generic Risperdal, clearing the way for the FDA to loose other versions of the antipsychotic onto the market. Report

> Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is eyeing brand acquisitions in the U.S. to strengthen its dermatology business. Report

> UCB got the FDA nod for Keppra XR as an add-on to other antiepileptic treatments for people with partial onset seizures. Release

> ProStrakan Group won FDA approval for its first product launch in the U.S., Sancuso, a nausea-prevention patch for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. ProStrakan release

> Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO Jim Cornelius (photo) and ImClone Chairman Carl Icahn exchanged bards via letters. Report

> Ariad Pharmaceuticals has announced that it will merge with its 80 percent-owned subsidiary Ariad Gene Therapeutics (AGTI). Report

> Xoma announced that they have established a memorandum of understanding with Texas A&M university system to explore options to co-develop and manufacture antibodies and protein-based therapeutics for human and veterinary applications. Report

> Although the FDA released the clinical hold on the Asentar IND application last week, Novacea announced that it won't continue development of the prostate cancer drug. Report

And Finally... An investigation into drinking water safety found more traces of pharmaceuticals in more places than previously thought. Report