Bayer's Q3 pharma sales suffer; AZ workers suspend pension protest;

@FiercePharma: Rep slaps King with the latest overtime suit. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

Slideshow: Notorious Names in Biopharma. Slideshow

Special Report: Top 10 Women in Biotech. Article

Special ReporT: Pharma's Biggest Flops. Report

> Bayer's third-quarter profit rose 12 percent as sales at its plastics unit, the laggard last year among its three divisions, soared on a recovery in demand from carmakers and manufacturers; the pharma division's sales dropped. Article

> AstraZeneca workers have agreed to suspend their five week protest over pension schemes so "calm" talks with AZ bosses can take place. Item

> Savient Pharmaceuticals, which has failed to entice a buyer since it received regulatory approval for a promising new gout drug last month, tried to reassure investors that it can launch the new medicine on its own. Report

> Eisai, the maker of the Pariet stomach ulcer treatment, predicted full-year profit will rise the most in a decade because of stronger demand for the drug in Japan and lower sales and administrative costs. News

> Sihuan Pharmaceutical surged on its Hong Kong trading debut after a HK$5.75 billion ($741 million) initial public offering to investors including George Soros as it raised funds for acquisitions. Story

> Novartis won an appeals court bid in Paris to uphold the French portion of its European patent for extended-wear lenses, defeating claims by Johnson & Johnson to overturn the intellectual-property protection. Item

> Rival drugmakers Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) and Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA) still have all to play for in the multi-billion-dollar long-acting insulin market after a new product from the Danish group failed to show a clear edge. Article

> Botox maker Allergan will face its fifth and sixth lawsuits early next year from plaintiffs who claim the drug caused severe health problems. Article

> Shareholders of Perrigo are getting a 12 percent boost in their dividends. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Novartis doubles Boston expansion to $600M. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

> Biocon makes $161M Malaysian R&D investment. Report

> Acadia, Biovail end Parkinson's drug deal. Story

> Pfizer's lung cancer drug crizotinib shows early promise. Article

> Accentia, Biovest emerge from bankruptcy. News

> Oncolytics raises $24M for cancer trial. Report

Vaccine News

> Vax panel votes to add meningitis booster dose. Story

> Inviragen starts Colombian Phase I dengue trial. Report 

> Sinovac cuts full-year revenue forecast. Article 

> Bivalent polio vax reduces cases by 90 percent. Item 

> Sanofi reports positive results with Fluzone intradermal. News

Manufacturing News

> Regulators triple-team API makers worldwide. Report 

> Survey: Raw material link weakens supply chains. Story 

> Drug shortages soar amid worsening financials. News

> FDA sharpens import inspection tools. Article 

> GMP disregard costs GSK $750M. Item

> Report: Archimedes anesthetic used in Arizona execution. Story

And Finally... Patients are suffering from shortages of some key drugs, including cancer therapies and anesthetics. Story