> Astellas Pharma said it has decided to withdraw its offer to buy U.S. biopharmaceutical company CV Therapeutics, ending what had turned into a hostile takeover bid for the heart-drug maker. Report
> Fresh off its agreement to buy Genentech, Roche has agreed to take over Innovatis, a private cell-analysis firm, for $19.35 million. Report
> India's Natco Pharma said it successfully fought a patent application that would have covered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone. Report
> The FDA gave the nod to Meda's drug Edluar as a short-term treatment for insomnia; the company plans to launch it in the second half of this year. Release l Report
> The U.K.'s Bioscience Innovation and Growth Team has released a new edition of its report 'Bioscience 2015: Improving National Health, Increasing National Wealth." Report
> Canada's Bellus Health--formerly known as Neurochem--is cutting its staff by 40 percent. Report
> Biotechnology Value Fund, which holds a 30 percent stake in Avigen, will finally get that special shareholders meeting it's been pushing for later this month. And the firm is urging fellow stockholders to dump Avigen's board for BVF's nominees. Report
> Synta Pharmaceuticals is cutting 90 of its 220 employees as it seeks to survive the loss of it's once high-flying melanoma drug elesclomol. Report
> Minnesota officials have confirmed the launch of a biobusiness park near Rochester, along with a potential $1 billion in funding for the state's biotech sector. Report
And Finally... Too little vitamin D could be bad for more than your bones; it may also lead to fatter adolescents, researchers say. Report