Sigma willing to entertain new Aspen offer; AZ changes timing of earnings release;

@FiercePharma: Avandia in the hot seat in E.U., U.S. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Australian drugmaker Sigma Pharmaceuticals (SIP.AX) says it is willing to continue working with Aspen Pharmacare (APNJ.J) on the South African company's new, lower offer for the firm. Report

> AstraZeneca may have an American chief executive, but it will revert to U.K. traditions when it announces its quarterly results before the opening of London markets. News

> A new study contends vaccine manufacturers from developing countries may be able to produce a HPV vaccine at a lower cost without infringing on the numerous patents drugmakers have taken out on the vaccine technology. Article

> Sandoz is conducting a U.K. patient level recall of certain batches of temozolomide capsules after they were found to be splitting and leaking powder. Report

> Glenmark Pharmaceuticals was sanctioned by a federal judge for destroying more than a year's worth of potential evidence in patent litigation with Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi-Aventis. Story

> Labopharm (DDS.TO) said its lender, Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC.O), agreed to amend its debt agreement to extend both the period of interest-only payments and the maturity date of its loan by six months. Article

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Merck KGaA's pancreatic cancer vaccine ready for testing. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: In case you missed it, Matthew Herper had an interesting piece on the Merck R&D moves. Good labs shuttered. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Stymied in U.S., Merck KGaA wins an approval for cladribine. Report

> Spotlight shifts to Vivus' Qnexa. Story

> Reata raises $78M round to back pivotal kidney drug trial. Article 

> Synthetic biology pioneers issue bioterror warning. News

Biotech IT News

> Akaza's OpenClinica open-source software hits 10K. Story

> Pilgrim strengthens AE reporting with MeDRA adapter. News

> StatisPro software aids in regulatory compliance. Article

> Crowdsourcing can aid in data collection for rare diseases. Item

> Aris partners with invivodata on ePRO solutions. Report

And Finally... Note to statin makers: High cholesterol is common enough in children these days that all of them should be screened, researchers now advise. Report