GSK, Genmab recast partnership on Arzerra; KPMG bows out as KV Pharma's auditor;

 @FiercePharma: Pharma layoffs near 35K in first half of 2010. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> GlaxoSmithkline and Denmark's Genmab said on Thursday they had amended a licensing agreement for their Arzerra cancer drug in a way that will have a "material impact" on Genmab's 2010 prospects. Report

> KPMG has resigned as KV Pharmaceuticals' accountant after suggesting "substantial doubt about [KV's] ability to continue as a going concern"; company officials said the firm's resignation wasn't recommended by the company's audit committee. Report

> Novartis expects to close its buy of a majority stake in U.S. eyecare group Alcon in the late third quarter or fourth quarter, paving the way for it to take full control of the group. Report

> Sun Pharma launched its generic version of the Novartis Alzheimer's remedy Exelon in the U.S. Release

> Watson Pharmaceuticals also began selling a generic version of Novartis' Exelon drug for Alzheimer's disease. Report

> Sagent Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA approved nine presentations of the anticoagulant heparin sodium injection. Release

> Par Pharmaceutical launched its versions of the Santarus heartburn drug Zegerid; the company has 180-day exclusivity for that product. Release

> Lupin Pharmaceuticals won FDA approval for a generic version of Merck's oral suspension version of the heartburn drug Pepcid. Report

> Vanda Pharmaceuticals added former acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galston to board of directors. Report

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Santarus cuts 120 jobs, focuses on Phase III. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Now that the great swine flu pandemic has ended with a giant public shrug, health officials will burn 40M doses of vax. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Lilly buys Alnara for undisclosed sum. Report

> Only the biggest developers can play the biosimilar game. Story

> Intercell vaccine patch fails PhII trial. News

And Finally... Boston researchers identified a group of genetic variants that can predict exceptional longevity in humans with 77 percent accuracy. Report