> Neurogen shares jumped on the news that mid-stage trial data demonstrated that patients taking its insomnia drug fell asleep 79 percent faster than those subjects taking a placebo. Report
> Connecticut has approved guidelines to start issuing grants in the state's $100 million program to support stem cell research. Report
> Avigen plans to raise $21.2 million in a private placement of shares. Report
> Looking to concentrate more of its resources on lead cancer drug candidate TNFerade, GenVec announced it would suspend enrollment on a Phase II trial of BioBypass for coronary artery disease. Report
> A group of public health agency scientists will meet in Atlanta today to discuss safety issues around the abortion pill RU-486. Article
> Investors have been bidding up the price of Chugai, Roche's Japanese subsidiary, in anticipation of quick regulatory approval of Avastin. Report (WSJ sub. req.)
> Prana Biotechnology says it will proceed with a Phase IIa trial of its lead drug candidate for PBT2 in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Release
> Chutes & Ladders: Israel's Rosetta Genomics announced that Amir Avniel has been named president and CEO. Release
> Earlier this week, ImaRx announced it had acquired the blood clot dissolver Abbokinase. Report
And Finally… In yet another example of just how little we really understand H5N1, scientists say that wild birds did not spread the virus on their migratory journey to Africa or on their return. Article