@FiercePharma: Vertex to field small, specialized sales force on Incivek. Item | Follow @FiercePharma
> Vertex Pharmaceuticals' $1 billion plan to build a new Boston headquarters cleared its final hurdle as the city council supported $12 million in tax breaks--just two days after the drugmaker won FDA approval of its promising hepatitis C treatment. Report
> Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have debated Republican proposals to reduce the FDA's budget by 11.5 percent in fiscal 2012. News
> A U.S. appeals court that specializes in patent disputes made it harder for patents to be declared invalid because of gaps or errors in patent applications. Article
> Several environment and health-advocacy groups are suing the FDA to ban the widespread use of two antibiotics in animal feed to treat livestock. Item
> JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals plans to focus on its contract research and manufacturing business to build its position in the fast-growing sector, a senior official said, after JB sold its over-the-counter brands in Russia. Report
> Health authorities in Germany granted regulatory approval for GW Pharmaceuticals' Sativex to be used for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. News
> UBS downgraded chemicals and pharmaceuticals group Bayer to neutral from buy, citing valuation. Piece
> A U.S. appeals court ruled that a lower court was wrong to declare an Abbott Laboratories patent unenforceable, and sent the case back to the lower court. Story
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Pfizer investigator questions cause of deaths in tofacitinib trial. News | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: The $1B federal Therapeutic Disc Program was a big hit with thousands of biotechs - now there's a new bill to add $7B more through 2017. Follow @JohnCFierce
> Genentech scientists blaze a trail into the brain for antibodies. Story
> Will lawmakers double down on popular R&D awards? News
> Pfizer turns to CROs as it upends huge R&D operation. Story
> Keeping score: U.S. brainpower draws biotech R&D stateside. Report
> J&J lays out blockbuster R&D strategy, plans for 11 new meds. Item
Vaccines News
> A look at HIV/AIDS vaccines in development. Story
> Prima BioMed to raise cash for ovarian cancer vaccine trial. News
> Systems biology key to vaccine breakthroughs? Report
> WHO: Smallpox vials around until at least 2014. Article
> Profectus immunizes first patient in Ph1 HIV vax trial. Item
Manufacturing News
> Cargo theft report puts pharma in 10th place. Story
> Pharma among NJ networks to seek info on employer skill needs. Item
> More wastewater treatment to keep drugs out of food. Report
> CMO Gallus taps Xcellerex for single-use capacity. Article
> Skills upgrade pulls manufacturing westward. Story
> CMOs boost R&D companies to top of efficiency ratings. News
And Finally... Does aspirin help healthy people live longer? Despite a lot of excitement about the common drug, scientists can't seem to agree. Report