ALSO NOTED: Meda buys German drug group; SEC asks Pfizer for Cox-2 data; Alabama providing breaks for new research center; and

> Advent International has agreed to sell its German pharmaceutical group Viatris to Sweden's Meda for €750 million. Viatris has a strong focus on respiratory illnesses and pain/inflammation. Viatris has operations in 14 countries, with a special concentration on larger European markets. Report [1]

> The SEC has asked Pfizer to provide information on its Bextra and Celebrex painkillers. The request was revealed in an SEC filing, and the company remains tight-lipped; but analysts say they weren't surprised. The SEC has a broad investigation under way on Cox-2 inhibitors. Story [2]

> The state of Alabama is providing $50 million in tax breaks to help launch a new biotech research center in Huntsville. Story [3]

> Lipid Sciences reported $13.8 million of cash on hand at the end of June, leaving enough money to fund operations through the first half of 2006 as it explored "strategic alternatives." Release [4]

> The FDA has outlined actions CytRx will need to take to lift the hold on a clinical study of arimoclomol for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Release [5]

And Finally… The White House estimates that the average monthly cost for its new drug benefit will be about $5 less than originally expected. Article [6]