> Eli Lilly raised $2.4 billion via the debt markets, with all three of its tranches receiving an A+ rating from Fitch Ratings. The proceeds will be used in part to pay down commercial paper taken on for the ImClone Systems acquisition. Release
> Pfizer's stop-smoking drug Chantix appears to reduce the desire for alcohol as well, according to a study published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry. Report
> Genzyme waited three days, including one trading day in which its stock dropped, before disclosing to investors that the FDA is delaying its key product for treating Pompe disease, Forbes reports. Report
> Aurobindo Pharma investors liked the news of Pfizer's licensing deal with the company; the stock closed up three percent on the arrangement. Report
> Teva Pharmaceutical Industries got the FDA nod for expanded use of Copaxone: in treating patients with initial symptoms of MS and MRI features consistent with the illness. Report
> India's Glenmark Pharmaceuticals got FDA approval to sell generic versions of the Forest Laboratories antidepressant Celexa. Report
> Genzyme was faced with an unexpected delay for its new therapy to treat Pompe disease after the FDA declined to give the drug its approval. Report
> Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners crunched the numbers and opted to halt new enrollment in a mid-stage trial to ensure it has the funds on hand to continue its work "well into 2010." Report
> Japan's Astellas won't be developing an experimental new drug for schizophrenia it in-licensed from Denmark's NeuroSearch. Report
> Xconomy's Bruce Bigelow has been gleaning as much information as he can lay his hands on concerning the stealth biotech outfit Evoke Pharma in San Diego. Report
> Scripps Florida officially opened its doors last week as a host of regional politicians descended on Jupiter, FL to herald a project intended to push the Sunshine state into the front ranks of biomedical research. Report
> In two new studies, researchers describe how they were able to use genetic material to transform skin cells into the biological equivalent of embryonic stem cells. Report
> The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has put up $100 million to further advance promising microbicidal gels that can significantly reduce the spread of HIV. Report
And Finally... Patients taking statins before a stroke recovered better than those not using the drugs, even if their cholesterol levels were "ideal." Release