ALSO NOTED: Ono to start cancer trials; Ligand CEO steps down; and much more...

> The FDA has given Medarex, the U.S. partner of Japan's Ono Pharmaceuticals, permission to begin clinical trials of the experimental cancer drug ONO-4538/MDX-1106. The two developers have been engaged in a collaboration based on Ono's IP and Medarex's human antibody development system. Report

> Chutes & Ladders: Ligand Pharmaceuticals CEO and Chairman David Robinson stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Report

> Critical Therapeutics has filed an NDA for a controlled-release formulation of zileuton for asthma in adults and children aged 12 years or older. Report

> Barr Laboratories has won FDA approval to manufacture a copycat version of Xanax, a therapy for panic disorder. Report

> MGI Pharma has won orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency for Dacogen as a therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Report

> Baxter Healthcare and Innovata have received FDA approval for their Adept adhesion reduction solution. Report

And Finally... Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) spent some time in Buffalo yesterday talking up biotech as an engine for economic development. Article