ALSO NOTED: Intercell buoyed by trial data; Covance acquires Signet Lab assets; and much more...

> Shares of Australia's Intercell were buoyed by the news that it gathered positive data on its Phase III trial of an experimental Japanese encephalitis drug. An application to the FDA is planned soon. Report [1]

> Covance has acquired most of the assets of Signet Laboratories for $8.95 million. Report [2]

> Andrew von Eschenbach is resigning as director of the National Cancer Institute and devoting himself to his role as acting FDA chief. Article [3]

> GlaxoSmithKline expects that collaborations will account for half of all new drug programs by 2010. Report [4]

> Point Therapeutics has received fast track status for Talabostat for non-small cell lung cancer. Report [5]

> The FDA has granted orphan drug status to Isis Pharmaceuticals' ISIS 301012 for a rare genetic disorder. Report [6]

> CombinatoRx and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics will collaborate to find new drug combination therapies for cystic fibrosis. Release [7]

> Life Science Pharmaceuticals has acquired three monoclonal antibody programs from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Release [8]

> VaxGen is ending its collaboration with EndoBiologics International on a meningitis vaccine. Release [9]

> Chutes & Ladders: Sweden's Affibody has appointed Dr. Ulf Boberg as its new CEO. Release [10]

> India's Wockhardt says it has received FDA approval to market the antibiotic Clarithromycin. Report [11]

> Therion Biolgics has concluded a Phase III trial of PANVAC-VF, a cancer vaccine. Release [12]

> Italy's Gentium has raised $22.1 million through a private placement of shares. Report [13]

And Finally… Canadians are generally much healthier than Americans, according to Harvard Medical School. One factoid: Americans are 42 percent more likely to have diabetes. Article [14]