ALSO NOTED: Nektar gains fast track for lung infection drug; Vertex reports positive hep C data; and much more...

> Nektar Therapeutics was given a fast-track designation for its lung infection prevention drug. Report

> Vertex announced that all 12 patients in a mid-stage trial of its VX-950 hepatitis C therapy showed no detectable signs of the virus after 28 days of therapy. Report

> ViroPharma announced that HCV-796, in development with Wyeth, cut levels of the hepatitis C virus by 97 percent in a small Phase I trial. Report

> CombinatoRx has released positive data for its mid-stage trial of Crx-102 for patients with periodontitis. Report

> Cell Genesys reports that an early-stage trial demonstrated that its experimental therapy, CG-0070, was safe and may have anti-tumor activity. Report

> A new study presented at the scientific meeting of the American Psychiatric Association has identified five predictors of bipolar disease. Researchers concluded that significant risk factors of bipolar disorder among patients already diagnosed with major depression were anxiety, feelings of people being unfriendly, family history of bipolar disorder, a recent diagnosis of depression and legal problems. Release

> Repros Therapeutics provided an update for its ongoing clinical studies. Release

> Consumer groups are asking the FDA to do a better job at policing nanotechnology. Report

> Alexza Pharmaceuticals has launched a Phase I trial of an experimental pain therapy. Release

And Finally… The search for an HIV vaccine has moved overseas amid a storm of controversy. Article