Neurobiological Technologies consolidates clinical trials; Abbott in $5B buyback;

> Neurobiological Technologies plans to consolidate and merge data from its two concurrently running double-blind clinical trials for acute ischemic stroke drug Viprinex into a single Phase III pivotal trial. The new plan is expected to accelerate the timing of the trial's efficacy and safety data to mid-2009. Neurobiological release

> How do you know if they really love your drug? As with most everything in human psychology, it's a tea-leaves game--and one teacup ready for your reading pleasure is a new report on the most popular websites among prescription drugs. Report

> Abbott Laboratories announced a $5 billion stock buyback program. Abbott release

> The UK's Severn Biotech, which makes small protein molecules for lab work, has laid out plans to expand. Report

> There's been a headlong rush toward cancer treatments to fill in revenue gaps. But drugmakers may find themselves rushing headlong into a wall. Experts say the pushback against prices is just the beginning. Oncology report

> When doctors and researchers meet, headlines ensue--and this weekend's annual meeting of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation was no exception. A salvo of stent-related news came out of that symposium. Here's a sampling. Stents report

> Dr. Sijmen de Vries has been named chief executive officer of Pharming. Pharming release

> You know last week's voluntary warning on cold meds for kids under four? Turns out that it wasn't so voluntary. FDA Report

> High demand for Merck's Zostavax shingles vaccine is causing shortages across the country. Merck report

And Finally... Researchers at McGill University, King's College London and GlaxoSmithKline have identified two genetic variants in Caucasians that produce a sevenfold increase in the risk of male pattern baldness. Release