> Belgium's Ablynx says it has received an undisclosed milestone payment from Novartis for an exclusive license for a program involved in their alliance on therapeutic nanobodies. Release
> Plexxikon has published data demonstrating that its targeted cancer compound selectively destroys tumor cells which contain the B-RafV600E cancer-causing mutation, a defect present in most melanomas and thyroid tumors and a large number of colorectal and other cancers. Release
> Sanofi-Aventis and UCB have received FDA approval of an oral solution version of the allergy drug Xyzal. Release
> The FDA has accepted Cephalon's NDA for the chemo drug Treanda. Release
> Chelsea Therapeutics says it has reached an accord with the FDA regarding the design of a late-stage trial for Droxidopa, a therapy for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Release
> Marshall Edwards has received orphan drug status for NV-196, a treatment for Stage IIB through Stage IV malignant melanoma. Report
> The FDA has put Solvay's Duodopa, the intestinal gel being developed for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, on its fast track. Report
> Biolex Therapeutics announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck KGaA to evaluate antibody optimization and production in Biolex' proprietary LEX System. Release
> Behind the scenes at Enhance: Schering-Plough statisticians reviewed some data before the study was complete, according to New Jersey's Star-Ledger. Report
> It was a glitch. That's what the FDA said last week when confronted with the news that it hadn't inspected the Chinese plant that made the main ingredient for Baxter's recalled batches of heparin. Now we know just how big that glitch was: The FDA inspected and approved the wrong plant. Report
> The FDA has finally released proposed rules that would allow pharma to distribute journal articles that support off-label uses of their products--two months after an irate Congressman pulled the veil off the same proposal. Report
And Finally… The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has come under a rare attack for its contributions to research efforts targeted at malaria. Report