Tamiflu news from FierceBiotech

> As part of its restructuring, NPS Pharmaceuticals has sold its Salt Lake City facility to the University of Utah for $21 million. Report

> The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England has endorsed Tysabri for MS patients. Release

> The FDA …

With experimental vaccines in short supply, the CDC has outlined a series of public responses to a flu pandemic. Saying the U.S. needs to prepare for a "Category 5" pandemic, the agency suggests that schools should be closed and public events should be canceled to help slow the spread of a dangerous outbreak. In addition, the CDC is suggesting that business shifts should be staggered and entire families should stay home if one of them is sick. But the CDC is warning against closing state …

The World Health Organization says that two Egyptians were infected by a new strain of bird flu that is resistant to Tamiflu. They don't know how the strain developed, but noted that it is worrying as Tamiflu remains the primary protection against the H5N1 version of avian flu. Report

> The European Committee for Medical Products for Human Use has recommended that Schwarz Pharma's Neupro patch be approved for use against Parkinson's. Report

> The CHMP has recommended Novartis AG's Exforge hypertension drug and Lucentis treatment for blindness. Report

> The Committee for Medicinal …

> The generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Laboratories plans to raise $260 million through an issue of 13.5 million American Depositary Shares. The Indian company has been on an acquisition spree, acquiring Germany's Betapharm in March as it pursued a strategy of expanding in the European market. Report

> The …

If Roche has its way, a gaggle of happy penguins will charm consumers into stocking up on flu drug Tamiflu. Using penguin characters from a current children's feature as a theme, Roche Pharmaceuticals has developed a multi-million dollar ad campaign to create demand for the costly medication. Tamiflu, which has attracted international attention as a possible stopgap in the war against bird flu, is designed to slow flu progression and minimize symptoms.

> India is funding clinical research training centers around the country to help spur the country's involvement in drug research. Report

> Memory Pharmaceuticals has received a $2 million milestone for MEM 3454. Release

> VWR International has established a wholly owned subsidiary in Bangalore, India. …

The World Health Organization has suggested a dual-therapy approach to certain cases of avian flu that combines Tamiflu with one of the older antiviral drugs on the market: amantadine and rimantadin. Researchers say that the dual therapy could prevent the virus from replicating.

- here's the AP report for more on the dual therapy

ALSO: The director general of the World Health Organization, …