> UCB announced that the FDA has extended the approval of its blockbuster drug Keppra to include adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older. Keppra sales rose 36 percent last year to €761 million. Release
> Berlex, a subsidiary of Schering, plans to eliminate 210 jobs when it shutters its Richmond, CA bioscience research center. Bayer acquired Schering and is concentrating its research work in three global centers. The merged company announced at the beginning of this month that it would eliminate more than 6,000 jobs worldwide. Report
> SRI International has won a U.S. government contract to make a drug that protects soldiers from nerve gas. Report
> BioGeneriX and Neose Technologies have begun a second Phase I clinical trial of GlycoPEG-GCSF, a long acting granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Release
> Emergent BioSolutions has submitted an Investigational New Drug application with the FDA for the company's Anthrax Immune Globulin product candidate. Release
And Finally… Public Citizen claims that pharma companies are still routinely giving doctors cash and expensive gifts to help influence the way they prescribe drugs. And in states that outlaw the practice, loopholes provide cover for the practice. Report