> FluMist just got a big thumb's down in a study reviewing vaccine response in more than a million U.S. soldiers. Looking over a period of three years, researchers found that the traditional intramuscular flu jab led to a 54 percent reduction in visits to a doctor's office compared with only a 21 percent reduction for the intranasal vaccine FluMist. Report
> The FDA has notified GTx that it will make a decision on its bone drug toremifene by Oct. 30. Release l Report
> Epix Pharmaceuticals has tapped Elkan Gamzu, 66, as president and chief executive officer. Gamzu was named interim CEO last July. Release l Report
> GlaxoSmithKline is showing its claws. The drugmaker is planning to add "clawback" provisions to its bonus structure, which would allow the company to get the money back if its fortunes worsen--or if, as in the banking industry, the gains driving those bonuses prove to be a mirage. Report
> Fluorotechnics Limited, the global leader in fluorescence and protein technologies, has appointed James Walker as its new chief executive officer. Release
> It takes two to kickback. So federal officials aiming to stop the practice--and tired of knocking at Big Pharma's door--are approaching the problem from the opposite end. Yep, they're now targeting doctors. Report
> RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals has completed enrollment and dosing of 40 healthy volunteers for its Phase IB clinical trial testing RGN-352, an injectable formulation of TB4 for potential use in treating acute myocardial infarction patients. Release
> The U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence gives--and it takes away. The drugs gatekeeper has recommended Bayer's Xarelto anti-clotting treatment for the National Health Service formulary. But it has denied GlaxoSmithKline's cancer drug Tyverb yet again. Report
> Optimer Pharmaceuticals says it expects to raise $32.9 Million in a registered direct offering. Release
> We all knew it was just a matter of time: A bipartisan cadre of senators has introduced legislation that would allow nationwide re-importation of prescription drugs. Report
> Access Pharmaceuticals announced positive safety and efficacy results from its Phase 2 monotherapy clinical study of ProLindac in late-stage, heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients. Release
And Finally... A team of researchers led by Scripps Professor Carlos Barbas, III, Ph.D., report a new method of vaccination can provide instant protection against a pathogen. Testing the concept in mice, scientists injected the animals with chemicals that offered a universal immune response and then injected them with "adapter" molecules that recognize specific cancer cells. Article