> Look for Genentech to report its earnings today, as analysts continue to speculate that Roche will boost its buyout bid for the company. Report
> King Pharmaceuticals isn't backing off its hostile bid to acquire Alpharma. Today King announced that it is extending its tender offer for Class A Alpharma shares to November 21. King Pharma report
> Affordability concerns and a perceived lack of need for a medicine are the top reasons why patients don't take their meds as prescribed, according to a recent AstraZeneca physician survey. AstraZeneca release
> A new study shows that meds to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia are not associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. Report
> Start-up AcelleRX Therapeutics, a recent spin-off of the Cleveland Clinic, has put together a first venture round of $6.9 million. The money will be used to advanced Stromal Derived Factor-1, a protein that is produced by heart-attack victims which attracts stem cells to the site of the damage. Venture Capital report
> Researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute were able to turn normal skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells by simply sprinkling them with a chemical and using two of the four genes currently deployed for the task. A dramatically simplified approach to reprogramming cells into the more potent stem cell that can develop into a variety of tissues, organs and blood. Research report
> Merck announced that Rotateq, the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine designed to prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children, has received pre-qualification status from the World Health Organization. Merck release
> Former Wyeth researcher Magid Abou-Gharbia was named to head Temple University's Center for Drug Discovery Research and will join the faculty as professor of medicinal chemistry. Report
> Lev Pharmaceuticals has won FDA approval to market Cinryze to treat hereditary angioedema, a potentially lethal genetic disorder characterized by a swelling of the hands, feet or some other body part. Lev Pharma report
> Santhera Pharmaceuticals has launched Catena, a drug for Friedreich's Ataxia, in Canada. Report
> Memphis-based GTx reported data from a successful mid-stage trial of its experimental therapy to improve body mass and muscle function in cancer patients. The trial involved 159 patients with cancer-induced muscle loss, also known as cancer cachexia. GTx report
> Researchers from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the University of Helsinki say that a single dose of the PAP protein is as effective as morphine in suppressing pain and lasts considerably longer. Research report
And Finally... Experts are gathering in London to debate the use of drugs such as Ritalin and Provigil to boost brain performance. Report