> Danish pharmaceuticals group H. Lundbeck aims to cut 200-220 jobs in Denmark to reduce costs. Report
> Roche's drug Avastin missed its goal in a keenly watched melanoma study, confounding initial expectations, researchers said. Report
> Concern about the risk of a dangerous brain infection in users of the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri will continue to drag on the stock of Biogen Idec, according to Barclays Capital. Report
> Sutent has been recommended by the U.K.'s NICE for gastrointestinal stromal tumours after a pricing deal with Pfizer. Report
> Colon cancer drug Erbitux produced conflicting results in clinical trials on Wednesday, as a keenly watched British clinical study failed to show the same survival benefit seen in an earlier international one. Report
> Women with breast cancer lived significantly longer without their disease getting worse when treated with Bayer BAYG.DE and Onyx Pharmaceuticals' cancer pill Nexavar, researchers said. Report
> Natco Pharma, Hetero Drugs, Strides Arcolab, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla are among companies bidding for an Indian government contract to supply 10 million Tamiflu doses. Report
Biotech News
> Novo Nordisk said today that the FDA has delayed feedback on its much-anticipated diabetes drug Victoza (liraglutide) until the fourth quarter of this year. Article
> Zogenix has ginned a hefty $51 million Series B preferred stock financing to fund the roll-out of the company's first product. Article
> Leo Pharma will reacquire the licensing rights to its topical psoriasis treatments from Warner Chilcott for about $1 billion, the two drugmakers announced today. Article
> Researchers are set to present results from the world's largest HIV vaccine trial tomorrow. In the U.S.-funded study, scientists have tried to revive two HIV vaccine candidates dropped by Sanofi-Aventis and VaxGen after failing separate trials. Article
Manufacturing News
> Manufacturing scale-up is complete for Avanex Life Sciences' alzheimer's treatment. A Phase I clinical trial of AVANEX 2-73 is set to begin in early 2010. Article
> A Shanghai drug maker is trying out an alternative freeze-dryer technology. Shanghai Pharmaceutical affiliate Shanghai The First Biochemical & Pharmaceutical Co. is acquiring a Praxair NCOOL cryogenic heat exchanger system in a pharmaceutical freeze dryer. Article
> Dalton Pharma Services has added formulation development to its repertoire. The kilo-scale contract manufacturer works in such dosage forms as sterile and non-sterile liquids, solids, semi-solids and lyophilized formulations (small chemical molecules, proteins and peptides, monoclonal antibodies, and high-potency actives). Article
And Finally... Sen. Charles Grassley asks the FDA whether statin drugs are really safe. Article