> Following a year of high-level clashes with the Cleveland Clinic's CEO, Dr. Delos M. Cosgrove, high-profile cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol says he is leaving for a job at Case Western. Report
> Penwest Pharmaceuticals touted positive data from a Phase II trial of its extended release version of the painkiller nalbuphine. Report
> Schering-Plough said today that it will continue development of the HIV drug vicriviroc after a Phase II trial showed it was safe but had problems with efficacy. Researchers terminated a trial last October after recording a viral breakthrough. They now may combine it with protease inhibitors. Report
> PDI says it expects AstraZeneca to slash the number of sales representatives PDI supplies the company. Report
> Trimeris and Roche say that new data supports their continued research into two new HIV fusion inhibitor peptide candidates. Report
> India's Aurobindo plans to buy the UK generics firm Milpharm for an undisclosed amount. Report
> Vaccinex has inked a research pact with Schering to find antibodies for cancer research. Report
> Japan's Taisho Pharmaceutical plans to buy Zepharma, a subsidiary of Astellas, by the end of next month. Report
> Genospectra of Fremont, CA, plans to merge with Panomics, which markets life sciences research reagents for transcription regulation, cell signaling and signal transduction. Release
> Human Genome Sciences reported widening losses for its fourth quarter. Report
And Finally... For the first time in more than 70 years the number of cancer deaths in the U.S. dropped. Article