ALSO NOTED: MS drug enters Phase III; Undaunted by data, Northfield looks to FDA; Sonus looks ahead; and much more...

> Genzyme and Bayer have launched their first Phase III trial of alemtuzumab for MS. Release [1]

> Despite data that shows its blood substitute Polyheme is associated with higher rates of death [2] compared to standard care, Northfield labs says it will go ahead and pursue an accelerated FDA review of the product. Report [3]

> In an interview with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sonus Pharmaceuticals CEO Mike Martino says that the company has enough money to push ahead to the middle of next year and has no immediate plans for any layoffs. The company's stock went into a freefall [4] after its cancer therapy failed to prove as effective as Taxol. Report [5]

> AstraZeneca has signed a deal with Keio University School of Medicine which it says will help speed the development of drugs in Japan. Release [6]

> The U.S. government is showing more signs of life at its program to stockpile therapeutics against a bioterror attack. Emergent BioSolutions has won a $448 million contract to deliver the anthrax vaccine BioThrax. Release [7]

> AmbioPharm has opened its new peptide production plant. Release [8]

> The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Pfizer's appeal in a product liability suit originally brought in a Michigan court, but thrown out because of a state law limiting lawsuits over FDA-approved drugs. Report [9]

> Roche's ongoing battle for Ventana reflects the growing importance of pairing drugs with diagnostics. Report [10]

> According to a new study released by Roche, fast-growing tumors keel over in the face of Herceptin combined with chemotherapy. Report [11]

And Finally… Property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Meghraj says that India's biotech boom will trigger a growing demand for new facilities. Report [12]