ALSO NOTED: CODA pockets $7M in VC cash; Novacea deal delivers $60M; Schering-Plough throws out the poison pill; and much more.

> CODA Genomics garnered $7 million in its third round of venture funding. OVP Venture Partners led the round with existing investors Monitor Ventures, Tech Coast Angels, and Life Science Angels joining in. CODA develops protein production technology. Release [1]

> Novacea's licensing deal with Schering-Plough [2] for its prostate cancer drug Asentar has delivered a $60 million pay day. Release [3]

> Schering-Plough has terminated a poison pill provision. Report [4]

> YM BioSciences says that an examination of Phase IIb data for the painkiller AeroLEF demonstrates no increased risk of severe side effects and warrants further development. Report [5]

And Finally... A new study concludes that Byetta and Januvia work to reduce blood sugar without dangerous side effects, but more work needs to be done on long-term effects. Report [6]