> U.S. drug firms' qualification of overseas API vendors will be subject to increased FDA scrutiny in the coming years according to a new industry report by analysts Hogan & Hartson. Report
> United Auto Workers retirees may lose reimbursement for certain prescription drugs, such as Pfizer's Viagra and AstraZeneca's Nexium, in a contract revision under consideration by the union's active members. Report
> Eisai returned to profit on increased sales of Aricept, the world's best-selling drug for Alzheimer's disease, which it sells in partnership with Pfizer (at least for now). Report
> Takeda Pharmaceutical got the FDA nod for the extended-release type 2 diabetes combo pill ACTOplus met, which comprises the anti-diabetes remedies Actos and metformin. Takeda release
> Generex Biotechnology announced that it has launched its Oralyn drug for type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Lebanon. Report
> Ranbaxy Laboratories, India's largest pharma company by sales and a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo of Japan, may have to raise loans if cash outflow from additional forex loss continues this fiscal year, analysts said. Report
> Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced that a U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court decision affirming Procter & Gamble's patent on Actonel, meaning that the generics maker can't market its version of the bone drug till 2014. Teva release
> Dendreon CEO Mitchell Gold has had two years to study the FDA's rejection of Provenge back in 2007. And Gold just doesn't believe that regulators can deny Dendreon once again. Report
> After three years of late-stage testing, the Medicines Company halted two studies of its anti-clotting drug cangrelor after an independent monitoring board said that the therapy was not meeting its goals. The news sent the company's stock into a nosedive. Report
> Forbes' Matthew Herper takes a look at how the ever-longer amount of time needed to study a new drug is colliding with limited patent protection timelines. Report
> China will spend more than $9 billion in just two years to support its technology industry, and fostering the country's burgeoning biotech industry is a central theme. Report
> Shares of Ireland's Elan have been gyrating in recent months over persistent market buzz about a potential takeover bid by Lundbeck. But Lundbeck CFO Anders Gotzsche says that he doesn't see how the company could raise enough cash for that kind of a deal. Report
> Sanofi-Aventis is still testing its new Dengue fever jab, but it's already broken ground on a massive new manufacturing plant in France that will churn out a huge supply of the vaccine. Report
> The swine flu outbreak may be just what the pharma marketing folks need to help in their makeover of a badly tainted image. Report
Special Report: The Top 15 Big Pharma Paychecks of 2008. List
Special Report: The top five North American regions targeting biotech. Report
And Finally... It is even more important than previously believed that patients with diabetes accurately maintain their blood glucose at a normal, low level, a new study shows. Report