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  • Studies dismiss cancer drug as powerful Alzheimer's remedy

    Scientists failed to replicate the tantalizing evidence of efficacy from a study of the cancer drug bexarotene in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, throwing cold water on efforts to advance the approved anti-tumor therapy for patients with the memory-stealing illness.

J&J taps top blockbusters in the pipeline, lays out global R&D strategy

Johnson & Johnson built its R&D rep around blockbuster development deals. Now the pharma giant's drug development arm wants the world to know that there's a comprehensive, global pipeline strategy in play that will deliver more than 10 new product applications over the next 4 years. And new drug development efforts in China and Japan are growing to rival the work it does in the U.S. and Europe.

Tantalizing data underscore depression-fighting potential for party drug

For years patients from depression have been cycled through one drug after the next, a hit-and-miss approach that also reflects the poor odds of success in clinical development. But now investigators say that a trial of a well-known anesthetic often used illicitly in the club scene has real potential in the fight against depression.

UPDATED: FDA panel backs low-dose rollout of Merck's sleep drug suvorexant

A panel of experts assembled by the FDA has given Merck a boost in its quest for an approval of the sleep drug suvorexant.

UPDATED: Cash-strapped biotech fails PhIII test for pioneering Fragile X drug

Seaside Therapeutics has revealed its second failed study for its lead drug STX209 this month. In one of two Phase III studies for the compound for the genetic mental disorder Fragile X syndrome, STX209 treatment missed its main goal of reducing social withdrawal. 

A 'rational' market finally develops an appetite for biotech IPOs

For 5 long years the IPO window on Wall Street has largely been closed to biotech companies. But with investors warming up to the potential rewards after a lengthy chill, Portola Pharmaceuticals became the latest biotech to pull off a successful maiden offering. The biotech raised $122 million from the sale of 8.4 million shares, sticking to the middle of its range after pricing shares at $14.50.

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