bioCSL ramps up flu vaccine shipments in U.S.; BioNano expands China distribution;

> U.S.-based bioCSL has started shipments of its flu vaccine Afluria in the United States ahead of the seasonal peak with a forecast of a 20% increase over last year at 18 million doses, the company said in a press release. The firm is a unit of Australian biopharma CSL. Release

> Australian doctors are in pre-clinical work on a candidate, PR-1042, to treat T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) in children at the Children's Cancer Institute in Sydney, according to a report on China.org. The study has involved testing the candidate on mice injected with cancer cells from children with T-ALL in hopes of eventually leading to clinical trial approvals. Report

> Taiwan's Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center has adopted a paperless clinical process named ARIA from NYSE-listed Varian Medical Systems ($VAR) as part of an effort to streamline its workflows, according to a press release. Release

> U.S.-based BioNano Genomics has appointed the Gene Company to expand China distribution of its Irys System used in genomics research, covering mainland China (excluding Shanghai) as well as exclusive rights in Hong Kong and Macau, according to a press release. Release

> U.S. FDA has approved the Otsuka and Lundbeck therapy Rexulti as an adjunct treatment for adults with major depressive disorders and as a treatment for adults with schizophrenia. Release

> Suven Life Sciences said it has received four product patents in China, South Africa and Mexico that include a class of selective H3 ligands discovered by Suven and under development as therapeutic agents for cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Release (PDF)

> India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories launched a generic version of Merz Pharma's treatment for moderate to severe dementia, Namenda (memantine HCl), in the U.S on July 12, following U.S. FDA approval, the company said in a press release. Dr. Reddy's, citing IMS Health figures, said Namenda U.S. sales reached $1.4 billion in the most recent 12-month period. Release

> U.K.-based AstraZeneca ($AZN) will offer 50 drug compounds to Australia's Adelaide Research and Innovation, the University of Adelaide's commercialization arm, to study potential new therapies with the company retaining first commercialization rights of any discoveries, according to Life Scientist. Report