China GMP rules to spur consolidation; Boehringer sees profits drop by half;

 @FiercePharma: Analysts: Expect more hostile bids in pharma. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> China's new rules on good manufacturing practices are likely to drive consolidation among the country's 5,000-plus pharmaceutical companies, especially the smaller firms, according to legal company Bird & Bird. News

> Boehringer Ingelheim saw net income slump by half in 2010 as cheaper generic copies of some of its best-selling pharmaceuticals came to market. Story

> Sanofi-Aventis has created the third largest generics company in Europe after re-branding its generic operations under the name Zentiva. Item

> AstraZeneca plans to invest 80 billion won ($73.7 million) in South Korea over the next five years to step up cooperation in the country's medical sector. Report

> Shares of Questcor Pharmaceuticals shot up in after-hours trading following the news of its higher-than-expected first-quarter sales forecast. Article

> Mylan Pharmaceuticals has won final FDA approval for its generic version of the Pfizer eye drop Xalatan. News

> Eli Lilly announced the availability of Axiron for testosterone deficiency in pharmacies across the U.S. Report

> BioMarin Pharmaceutical will not seek full rights to Aldurazyme, a drug marketed by partner Genzyme to treat a rare metabolic disease, following Monday's $20 billion acquisition of Genzyme by Sanofi-Aventis. Story

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: 10 promising late-stage cancer drugs. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech 

 @JohnCFierce: Bavarian Nordic is raising $123M to finish development of Prostvac for prostate cancer. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Blockbuster antibodies face a unique set of challenges. News

> VCs: Chill sets in on biotech as social networking gets hot. Article 

> FDA panel readies pivotal review of Optimer's fidaxomicin. Report

> Bayer faces setback as Xarelto data highlights increased bleeding risk. Story

> Genzyme touts positive LDL data from mipomersen Ph3. News 

Biotech Research News

> Coming soon: 3D adult stem cells, no glasses required. Article

> Nanoparticles provide protection against nickel allergies. News 

> Israeli biotech Pluristem uses stem cells from placentas. Item

> Gene-patent courtroom drama plays out in Washington. Story 

> Alzheimer's researchers have five new genes to ponder. Report 

> Former football player now studies athletes' genes. Story

Manufacturing News

> DNA links Lilly, GSK warehouse thefts. Article 

> PAT, QbD spur continuous processing. News 

> Merck, Roche add voice to pick operations. Item 

> McNeil consent decree quarantine helps J&J's bottom line. Report

> Roche, Catalent suffer warehouse fires. News

> India marks its fifth $1B drugmaker. Story

And Finally... A new hydration method for preventing kidney damage among patients who receive contrast agents during heart procedures was deemed more effective than the conventional way. Report