ALSO NOTED: MediGene begins trial in RA; Study finds women shortchanged on chemotherapy;and much more...

> Germany's MediGene has begun mid-stage trials of the rheumatoid arthritis drug RhuDex. Report [1]

> Women with little education or low incomes are more likely to get insufficient levels of chemotherapy when being treated for breast cancer, which translates into higher mortality rates for the group. Researchers add that as many as half of all women being given chemotherapy are getting insufficient amounts, despite clear guidelines on the amount of therapy needed for treatment. Thirty-two percent of women with less than a high school diploma received less than the recommended amount while 14 percent of women with their diploma were shortchanged. Obese women also were often under-treated on chemotherapy. Article [2]

> Evotec and Solvay have signed two new drug discovery pacts using Evotec's screening platform and fragment library. Report [3]

> Synta Pharmaceuticals has priced its IPO at $14 to $16 a share. Report [4]

> Optimer Pharmaceuticals priced its IPO at $12 to $14 a share. Report [5]

> The FDA has approved Stiefel Laboratories' Olux-E for the treatment of psoriasis and eczema in patients 12 or older. Release [6]

> EntreMed's independent monitoring board issued a favorable review of the safety of MKC-1 in a Phase II multi-center clinical trial in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have failed conventional therapies. Release [7]

And Finally… Former FDA commissioner Lester Crawford has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and serve probation for repeatedly lying about stocks [8] he held while at the agency. The deal allows Crawford to avoid jail time. Report [9]