> India's Supreme Court rejected Roche's petition to stop Cipla from selling a copycat form of its cancer med Tarceva until the Delhi High Court rules on Cipla's patent challenge. Report
> A J.P. Morgan analyst upgraded Sanofi-Aventis, citing its investment in animal health care, approval of the irregular heart rhythm drug Multaq, and sales of diabetes drug Lantus. Report
> A Morgan Stanley analyst downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb, saying the drugmaker's stock is trading at a fair price after recent gains. Report
> Watson Pharmaceutical got the FDA nod for its version of the "Plan B" contraceptive for OTC use in women 17 and over and prescription use in those under 17. Watson release
> Roche won FDA approval for Valcyte for prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in pediatric kidney and heart transplant patients. Roche release
> Long-term care pharmacy services firm Omnicare is implementing pay cuts ranging from 2 percent to 5 percent. Report
> Merck said a new study showed that among 22,000 statin-treated patients, nearly three quarters still had at least one lipid abnormality. Report
Biotech News
> Federal regulators, set to hear from a panel of cancer experts on Genzyme's leukemia drug Clolar on Tuesday, indicated that the drugmaker's clinical data may not be sufficient. Article
> September will mark the beginning of a pivotal trial for Takeda's alogliptin, a diabetes drug the company hopes will replace its bestselling med Actos, when it goes off-patent. The FDA has agreed to Takeda's study design, which will enroll 5,400 patients at 1,000 sites in the U.S. Article
> Since Q4 2007, research spending in the U.S. has dropped 4 percent--or $1.9 billion. But report in BusinessWeek today lists 25 major U.S. corporations that, despite the economic downturn, have boosted R&D spending significantly in 2009. Of those 25, 13 were biotech and pharmaceutical companies, with Merck taking the top spot for increased spending. Article
> Trubion Pharmaceuticals has inked a development and commercialization with Facet Biotech worth up to $196.5 million. Article
> New partners Nycomed and Forest Laboratories have finally released the results from four pivotal late-stage studies of Daxas (roflumilast), an experimental treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The developers say the trial data indicates that Daxas improves lung function and reduces exacerbations in patients when used in combination with long-acting bronchodilators. Article
And Finally... AstraZeneca has an exhibit on a national tour that highlights bipolar depression. Report