@FiercePharma: Astellas CEO: A logical idealist. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
> Britain's healthcare cost agency has recommended that Celgene's drug Vidaza, or azacitidine, should not be used in the state-run health service to treat a rare blood cancer because it is too expensive. Report
> President Barack Obama has taken command of one final attempt by Democrats to enact bitterly contested healthcare legislation, calling for an "up or down vote" within weeks. Report
> House Democratic leaders are pushing for a final vote on far-reaching health legislation in the next three weeks, aiming to answer President Barack Obama's call for swift action. Report
> Results of a trial of Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis showed that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa. Report
> Danish drugmaker Lundbeck posted a smaller rise in operating profits than expected and forecast higher profits this year than in 2009. Report
> A large-scale comparative test of three anti-epilepsy drugs found the oldest was best for treating childhood absence epilepsy, in which youngsters often stare into space for up to 20 seconds many times a day. Report
> When it comes to gastrointestinal side effects, not all painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are created equal. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Pharma reports 26,000 layoffs in 2010. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Archimedes CEO tells me he's looking to build small, 50-100, US sales force for PecFent. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce
> An experimental vaccine being studied at the University of Nebraska Medical Center successfully spurred the development of dopamine-producing nerve cells, reversing the disease in mice. Story
> The San Francisco start-up Vaxart has banked a $12.5 million Series B venture round, with the money going to support its work building a portfolio of orally-delivered vaccines. Report
> Merck KGaA to restructure U.S. operations after Millipore buyout. Item
> New Provenge data confirms 3-year survival benefit. Story
> Sanofi-Aventis has pulled the curtain back on a slate of promising, late-stage data for its prostate cancer drug cabazitaxel, demonstrating that the therapy prolongs the life of men with advanced tumors. Article
Manufacturing News
> Pfizer takes on counterfeiters. Story
> Orphanage to boast high-containment lab. Item
> The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has chosen Sentry BioPharma Services to store and distribute influenza vaccine for the national strategic reserve. Article
Vaccines News
> Experts ponder why regular flu season is a no-show. Story
> Professor's new chip delivers vaccines without the pain. Item
> Study: Parents need to be better informed about vaccines. Report
And Finally... A genetic test may soon help overweight people predict which diet would work best for them. Report