ALSO NOTED: Sanofi-Aventis takes stake in Zentiva; Keryx sells shares; and much more...

> Sanofi-Aventis has spent $518 million to acquire a 25 percent stake in the Czech generics drug business Zentiva, with plans to expand into Russia and eastern Europe. Release [1]

> Keryx Biopharmaceuticals plans to sell $82 million in shares to institutional investors. Report [2]

> The FDA has approved extended dosing of Amgen's Aranesp for chemo-induced anemia. Report [3]

> Santarus shares were boosted on the news that the FDA has approved its immediate-release heartburn treatment Zegerid. Santarus, though, said it does not expect to begin marketing the therapy this year. Report [4]

> Idera Pharmaceuticals has raised $19.5 million in new funding. The company expects to use the money to develop Idera's pipeline of Toll-like receptor-based drug candidates--including funding its Phase II trial of IMO-2055 in renal cell cancer and its ongoing Phase I/II trial of IMO-2055 in combination with chemotherapy in solid tumors, as well as the pre-clinical development of a lead compound for infectious diseases, IMO-2125. Release [5]

> Colorado's biotech industry is pushing new legislation that would provide $15.5 million in support. Report [6]

> The Boston Globe profiles the work Cubist Pharmaceuticals has done on Cubicin, which researchers believe can fight staph aureus in the bloodstream. Article [7]

> The FDA has issued an approvable letter for a supplemental NDA for Cubicin. Release [8]

> Akzo Nobel hopes to reveal some Phase III data for the antipsychotic drug asenapine prior to the IPO of its pharma unit. Report [9]

> One of the two men left in critical condition when a drug trial of TGN1412 in the U.K. took a disastrous turn has shown signs of significant improvement. Report [10]

And Finally… University researchers say genetically engineered pigs may soon offer up bacon and chops rich in the kind of omega-3 fatty acids that improve our health. Article [11]