ALSO NOTED: WiCell may offer stem cell lines; Medivir inks new pact; and much more...

> The WiCell Research Institute in Madison, WI says it will make new embryonic stem cell lines created by Advanced Cell Technologies available to researchers if the feds agree to expand funding for them. ACT had announced, amid considerable controversy, that it had developed a technique to create new lines without destroying the embryo. Given the Bush administration's quick skepticism about ACT's research, though, don't expect any loosening of federal standards soon. Report

> Sweden's Medivir has won a $7.5 million up front payment for a collaboration deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The two companies will co-develop and commercialize MIV-170, an experimental therapy for HIV-1. Medivir also stands to gain milestones totaling $97 million. Release

> The SEC has concluded that Biopure won't have to pay penalties to settle claims that the company was busily raising money in 2003 while failing to tell investors that the FDA had temporarily prohibited it from conducting trials on its blood substitute Hemopure. In a separate settlement, Biopure General Counsel Jane Kober agreed to pay a fine of $40,000. Report

> Obagi Medical, which makes skin therapies, has detailed plans to raise $86.3 million in an IPO. Report

> The FDA is seeking more information on the acne drug Nicomide, which has not been approved by the agency but has long been marketed as an unapproved product. Report

> The UK's Acambis has won a $30 million contract to supply smallpox vaccine to the U.S. Report

> From now on, staffers at Stanford University Medical Center will be prevented from accepting even a pen from pharmaceutical reps. Report

And Finally… Rapid economic progress in India has spurred skyrocketing rates of type 2 diabetes. Article