J&J research chief urges 'open innovation' approach; BioArts delivers world's first cloned dog;

> Paul Stoffels, the head of drug R&D at Johnson & Johnson, is recommending a new recipe for research. In a conversation with the Wall Street Journal, he recommends that developers adopt an 'open innovation' approach to their work. Rather than hole up in their own labs, suggests Stoffels, researchers need to learn how to collaborate more with biotech companies and academic researchers. Report

> Carl Icahn is at it again, and this time his target is Amylin Pharmaceuticals. The San Diego pharma--which is Eli Lilly's partner on the diabetes med Byetta--said Icahn Capital plans to nominate a slate of directors to the company's board. Already, Amylin directors are checking out two of Icahn's nominees. Amylin report

> Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is proposing tort reform legislation intended to protect Georgia-based biotech companies from product liability claims. Article

> The California Healthcare Institute is reporting that the state's biomedical industry has been hit by the recession as fewer small drug developers are securing development funding. Report

> It's a third strike for drugmakers facing off-label marketing probes: GlaxoSmithKline says it's taking a $400 million charge in the fourth quarter because of an investigation into its sales and marketing practices. Report

> London-based Kinapse has COO Shalabh Kumar as the company's new CEO, effective February 1, 2009. Shalabh. He succeeds Andy Black who will continue serving as an Executive Director of the Board and in his new role will be the Global Head of Client Services. Release

> Another set of pain pills faces possible extinction because of abuse: The FDA is asking an advisory committee to weigh in on whether to keep Darvon and Darvocet meds on the market. FDA report

And Finally... BioArts International has delivered the world's first cloned dog to a Florida couple that paid $150,000 to replicated their beloved pet. Report