@FiercePharma: J&J contractors brought into congressional probe. Article | Follow @FiercePharma
> German generic drugmaker Stada plans to cut about one in 10 jobs as it aims to double earnings by 2014, continuing a cost cutting drive that has boosted its shares. Report
> Par Pharmaceuticals CFO Lawrence Kenyon will step down effective at the end of June to pursue other opportunities, the company has announced. Report
> Bayer Schering Pharma, a unit of the German chemicals group Bayer, has been hit by a lawsuit over a pregnancy test that allegedly caused birth defects, Der Spiegel reported. Report
> API maker Ash Stevens is embarking on a $20 million expansion effort over the next five years, aiming to expand production by 50 percent to 80 percent and hire another 50 workers. Report
> Italy's pharma trade group decried the country's plans to squeeze generic drug prices, saying the move risks crushing one of the country's most vibrant sectors and pushing high-wage research jobs out of the country. Report
> Grifols, Europe's largest maker of blood-plasma products, agreed to buy Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings for $3.4 billion to expand its share to almost a third of the U.S. market. Report
> An increase in the number of outsourcing deals between Indian drug companies and pharmaceutical multinationals has triggered huge capacity expansion programs in the drug manufacturing sector. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Merck trumpets a global research initiative to speed cancer drugs. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: These blanket "embargoed" releases from ASCO are getting completely out of hand. | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Indian biotechs shift focus to new collaboration deals. News
> Vectura unveils clinical development lineup, talks up pact potential. Report
> Vivus ED drug passes its second late-stage test. Story
> Iacocca foundation backs autoimmune program at Kineta. Article
> France's Cytheris banks $15M for immunotherapy work. Item
> BMS, Pfizer cancer drugs take starring roles at ASCO. Report
Biotech IT News
> My Job: Senior director for biometrics consulting at C-TASC. Item
> Merck taps IT among tools for cancer network. Report
> System checks Rx compliance via cell phone, RFID. Story
> EMA-developed method helps detect adverse events. Article
> GSK iPhone app helps doctors find cancer trials. News
> Surveys probe trial recruitment, retention. Story
And Finally... Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can undermine our ability to focus. Report