@FiercePharma: U.S. drug spending grows at anemic 2.3% in 2010. News | Follow @FiercePharma
> Roche's Rituxan drug won FDA approval as a treatment for Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangilitis, two rare disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation. News
> SciClone Pharmaceuticals bought the Chinese drugmaker NovaMed Pharmaceuticals for $24.7 million in cash, plus $37.1 million in common stock, with an additional $43 million cash payable if financial targets are met. Item
> FDA has approved Taro Pharmaceutical's Imiquimod cream, a generic version of Graceway Pharmaceuticals' Aldara treatment for actinic keratosis and external genital warts. Article
> Sagent Pharmaceuticals increased the size of its initial public offering to 5.75 million shares of common stock at a price of $16 per share. Report
> Biogen Idec won a positive recommendation from European regulators for a new self-administered form of its Avonex multiple sclerosis treatment, dubbed the "Avonex Pen." Story
> A series of new deals with licensees in a wide range of emerging markets has set the stage for expanded sales of Teijin Pharma's novel gout drug febuxostat. Report
> An Ohio woman has sued AstraZeneca, alleging that she suffered bone deterioration and broken bones because of hidden risks with the drugmaker's acid reflux treatment Nexium. Gibson Law Firm release
> A UK chemist chain is now offering Viagra to customers without the need for a prescription. News
> The Czech Republic's State Institute for Drug Control approved the cannabis-derived medicine Sativex, produced by UK drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals, as a treatment for symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Novartis yanks European app for Cox-2 pain drug. News | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Novartis' Ph3 success advances blockbuster COPD program. Item | Follow @JohnCFierce
> NicOx shares pummeled after EU panel rejects naproxcinod. Story
> Gilead inks pact on experimental RSV treatment. News
> Bluebird's gene therapy song attracts $30M venture round. Article
> Sangart raises $50M to fund critical Ph2b ischemia study. Item
Drug Delivery News
> EU gives consortium $1.6M for ultrasound-triggered drug delivery. News
> Novartis has big plans for SmartPills. Report
> Polysaccharides offer a sweet way to deliver arthritis meds. Story
> Injectable gel promises on-demand, long-term delivery of arthritis medication. Item
> DNA origami unfolding for drug delivery. Report
> Simple electrical on/off switch controls drug-delivering membrane. Article
Medical Device News
> Roche gets FDA OK for HPV test. Story
> St. Jude's Q1 results beat expectations. Item
> Stryker sees profit slip as sales rise. News
> Neoprobe's largest investor to drop proxy fight threat. Article
> Medtronic introduces new product for drawing bone marrow. Story
> Anulex sees layoffs after FDA warning letter. Report
And Finally... A new product, dubbed "Viagra for condoms," is nearing regulatory approval and could be on sale in Europe by the end of the year. News