ALSO NOTED: Oscient gains approvable letter; Achillion sets IPO terms; and much more...

> The FDA has issued an approvable letter to Oscient Pharmaceuticals for Factive as a five-day treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. The developer says that the agency is looking for additional analysis of existing data and some clarifications, but isn't looking for a new trial. Oscient says it should be able to satisfy the FDA's requests in a few weeks. Oscient has already received approval for Factive as a seven-day therapy and is also seeking approval of Factive for acute sinus infections. Report [1]

> Achillion Pharmaceuticals has set the terms of its IPO, looking to offer 4.5 million shares at a price of $14 to $16 each. Report [2]

> The FDA has approved Alcon's ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure. Report [3]

> Charles River Laboratories International has been awarded a 10-year, $111.6 million contract by the National Cancer Institute, more than doubling the size of its current contract with NCI. Release [4]

> Chutes & Ladders: The UK's SkyePharma says that two employees, communications director Peter Laing and corporate secretary Douglas Parkhill, are leaving the company by "mutual agreement." Report [5]

> Matrix Laboratories said it signed a licensing agreement with Gilead for the manufacture and sale of a generic version of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, an anti AIDS therapy. Release [6]

And Finally…The CDC wants physicians to routinely test everyone from 13 to 64 for HIV. Report [7]