> California developers are poised to announce an effort to raise $1 billion to create a bioscience research center just outside of Rochester. The Elk Run project has drawn the interest of one of the industry's leading developers. Report
> Neuralstem announced today its spinal cord stem cell trial to treat ALS is on clinical hold and that the FDA has provided the company with specific comments, questions and recommendations for modifications to its protocol. Release
> In an effort to become the lead biotech sector in Asia, the Indian state of Karnataka is planning a revised ‘millennium biotech policy' aimed to boost growth in the area. The state has seen an average of 30 percent growth in the industry each year. Among the new incentive plans are two Biotech parks. Report
> California-based Pharmacyclics said it received an approximately $1.4 million private investment by Pacific Biopharma Group structured at 93 cents a share. The company's closing price on Thursday was 61 cents a share. Report
> Mylan announced that its CFO, Edward J. Borkowski, will transition out of his role over the next several months. Borkowski will remain with Mylan until a successor is named and in place. Release
> An experimental oral vaccine has demonstrated that it may be able to protect people from an anthrax attack. This experimental vaccine is loaded onto bacteria found in dairy products to escape the normal physical traps that typically inactivate oral vaccines. Report
> Sanofi-Pasteur has launched a clinical trial in Thailand to test a tetravalent vaccine for dengue fever, the world's second most common tropical disease in children. Report
> Ore Pharmaceuticals reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008. No revenue was recorded for the fourth quarter of 2008. Report
> Novavax announced favorable preclinical results for a new broadly immunogenic pandemic influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate that provided protection against several H5N1 virus strains. Release
> The Justice Department has been playing target practice with off-label marketing cases lately: Setting 'em up and knocking 'em down. Now, it's Johnson & Johnson in the feds' sights. Report
> It looks as if AstraZeneca's Crestor strategy is paying off. The company has been generating data on the cholesterol med's effect on clinical outcomes--such as atherosclerosis and heart attacks--yielding support for potential new uses. Report
> Once again, Congress is digging into Vytorin. The House Energy and Commerce Committee--now headed by Rep. Henry Waxman-- demanded information from Merck and Schering-Plough on the controversial Enhance study that made so many headlines last year. Report
> Another case of the rare brain disease progressive multifocal leukocephalopathy has cropped up in a patient using Genenteh's Raptiva, marketed in Europe by Merck Serono. In announcing this case--the third confirmed diagnosis reported in recent months--the EMEA recommended suspending the drug in the E.U., saying its benefits no longer outweigh the risks. Report
> There's been lots of hand-wringing over Genentech's potential absorption into Roche. Would Genentech manage to keep its freewheeling, science-first culture? Would Genentech's top talent simply head for the exits? Today, however, the San Jose Mercury-News suggests that Roche's assurances should be taken at face value. Report
And Finally... San Diego-based Histogen is unveiling preliminary results from an early-stage clinical trial that showed its experimental hair regrowth therapy, ReGenica, increased new hair growth and the thickness of existing hair in men after 12 weeks. "These results appear to be phenomenal, although this trial is still in the very early stages," said Los Angeles-based hair transplant specialist Dr. Craig Ziering. Report