Eddingpharm in-licenses second Cardiome CV candidate for China; CFDA sets deadline on approvals;

> China's Eddingpharm has signed on for a second in-licensed cardiovascular drug candidate deal with Canada's Cardiome ($CRME) for Greater China rights to Aggrastat (tirofiban hydrochloride), an anti-platelet therapy. Late last year, Eddingpharm in-licensed China rights to Brinavess (vernakalant) for atrial fibrillation and in July announced plans to start a Phase I trial, moving to a pivotal Phase III study by the end of the year. Release

> China FDA has released the English-language version of its plans for appraisal and approval reforms for drugs and medical instruments with the aimed at safety and quality and encouraging innovation. Regulators are required to ensure that, "by 2018, every application will be approved or rejected within a certain time limit." Release

> Spain's PharmaMar has signed an exclusive license and commercial deal with Specialised Therapeutics Australia for multiple myeloma candidate Aplidin (plitidepsin) in Australia and New Zealand, according to a press release. The candidate is currently in Phase III trial recruitment. Release (PDF)

> India has said it would seek unspecified "legal advice" on how to deal with the recent ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on 700 medicines clinically tested by GVK Biosciences, Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia told Press Trust of India. Report

> Pakistan will make a renewed push to eradicate polio by 2016 through a massive campaign for an injectable polio vaccine that aims to reach more than four million children will as part of the country's routine immunization schedule, the Times of Oman said. Report

> Suzhou-based BioTOP Technical Service said it will use the newest edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia to improve test accuracy as an independent third-party agency which provides analytical and testing services accredited with the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), according to a report in China Daily. Report

> Taiwan plans to ramp up support for a broad range of biotechnology companies over a decade starting next year, envisioning an industry worth NT$4 trillion (US$123.2 billion) by 2026, Taiwan Today reported, adding that details will be released in September by a cabinet-level strategic review board. Report

> India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received U.S. FDA approval for NDA acne treatment Ximino extended-release capsules. Report

> India's Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has received final approval from the U.S. FDA to sell the oral contraceptive tablet form of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. Report

> Australia-listed Benitec Biopharma successfully raised a targeted $3.8 million in an initial public offering on the NASDAQ and has granted underwriter Maxim Group LLC an option to purchase an additional 225,000 American Depositary Shares to cover over-allotments, if any. Release (PDF)