NICE nixes Novartis asthma med for young kids; Stada sales suffer on European cutbacks;

@FiercePharma: Amgen drug flunks head-and-neck cancer trial. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> NICE has refused to back the use of Novartis' Xolair for young children, saying the asthma drug's cost brings little extra benefits over existing treatments. Article

> Weaker than expected sales in Germany and difficult conditions in Serbia, where sales have now been curtailed, pushed second-quarter earnings below forecasts at German generic drugmaker Stada Arzneimittel. Report

> An Omaha, NE, man has sued Genentech and Biogen Idec, alleging that the immunosuppressant Rituxan rendered him a quadriplegic. Story

> Canadian drugmaker Biovail and Valeant Pharmaceuticals said they will hold special shareholder meetings Sept. 27 to vote on their merger. News

> Natural Capsules, a supplier of gelatin capsules to companies including GlaxoSmithKline, plans to invest 190 million rupees ($4 million) to double output as demand for drugs increases in India. News

> For the second time this week, Scotland's cost watchdog has given the green light to a GlaxoSmithKline drug to be used on the National Health Service there, this time for the clotting disorder treatment Revolade. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Biotech M&A frenzy shows no sign of slowing. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Dicerna's delivery tech has been the key to early pacts, helped it grab a $25M Series B. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> FDA panel backs new epilepsy drug from GSK, Valeant. Story

> Will new Genzyme stumble cripple its bargaining position? News

> Cardiome shares sag after Merck delays PhIII study. Item

Vaccines News

> Emergent forms JV for new pandemic vaccine. Article

> Medicago to develop vax facility in NC. News

> Crucell forges ahead with combo AIDS vax trial. Item

> WHO says H1N1 pandemic has run its course. Article

> Team tackles therapeutic Parkinson's vax. Report

Manufacturing News

> Warning letter cites decade-old violations. Story

> Injunction will test FDA rule over stem cell remedy. News

> States set sights on J&J for Tylenol recalls. Report

> Contractor Positron opens radioactive-drug plant. Article

> Genzyme reports batch disposal; lengthens remediation time. Story

And Finally... A dangerous new mutation that makes some bacteria resistant to almost all antibiotics has become increasingly common in India and Pakistan and is being found in patients in Britain and the U.S. Item