ALSO NOTED: Synovics raises cash, buys Kirk; Angiotech buys Quill Medical; and much more...

> Phoenix-based Synovics Pharmaceutical has raised $21.2 million in new financing and purchased the generic drug maker Kirk Pharmaceuticals for $12 million. Report

> Angiotech Pharmaceuticals has agreed to buy Quill Medical--which makes the Contour Threads surgical suture product--for $40 million. Report

> Australia's Phosphagenics has released positive preclinical data from a study of its transdermal insulin delivery technology. Release

> Genentech has filed its application to use Avastin for breast cancer victims as a front-line treatment. Report

> SciClone Pharmaceuticals' final results for its second Phase III trial of Zadaxin for hep C did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement over pegylated interferon alpha alone. Report

> Northwest Biotherapeutics has issued positive, updated Phase I data for its experimental cancer vaccine. Report

> Australia's Peplin plans to raise $40 million to fund a clinical trial of its experimental therapy for skin cancer. Release

> Allergan has obtained a European license to market Ganfort for glaucoma. Report

> Israel's BioLineRx has inked a licensing deal with Gevys Pharmaceuticals for the worldwide rights to the experimental pain drug BL-3010. Report

> Elite Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase I trial of a once-daily oxycodone therapy. Release

> Altea Therapeutics has begun a Phase I trial of its pain patch, AT3022. Release

And Finally… Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has told two Catholic bishops that he has no plans to rethink his $5 million program to support embryonic stem cell research. Article