ALSO NOTED: FDA OKs Novalar therapy; StemCells files new patent suit; and much more...

> The FDA has OK'd Novalar's OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate) for the reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia and the associated functional deficits resulting from a local dental anesthetic. Novalar release [1]

> StemCells has filed its second patent suit against Neuralstem claiming two human neural stem cells patents were violated. Report [2]

> Takeda and Affymax have posted more positive mid-stage data for their experimental anemia therapy. Release [3]

> Pipex Pharmaceuticals is reporting that the FDA has provided orphan drug status for oral tetrathiomolybdate as a therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Pipex release [4]

> Forest Laboratories and Daiichi Sankyo have ended a co-promotion deal for Azor, a combo therapy of two antihypertensives. Forest release [5]

> Big-name cholesterol meds are losing ground on two fronts. Report [6]

> Politics are clouding the process of tracing contaminated heparin back to its source or sources--politics that go way beyond the typical Democrats-versus-Republicans grandstanding. Report [7]

> With Big Pharma cutting back, CMOs are picking up the slack. The worldwide market for biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing reached $2.4 billion in 2007, a year-over-year leap of 14 percent. CMO report [8]

> Back in 2005, Swedish pharma monitors raised a red flag on GSK's HIV fighter abacavir and its possible link to heart attacks, The Independent is reporting. Report [9]

> According to India-based Dr. Reddy's CEO, the U.S.'s financing industry is "a complete mess." Report [10]

And Finally... Depressed teens that self-medicate with marijuana only trigger more serious mental ailments. Release [11]