> Here's a good estimate of how much it costs when a drug goes into free-fall: $440 million. That's how much Johnson & Johnson is writing off on Natrecor, a heart failure treatment that went into a downward spiral when medical researchers suggested that it might boost the risk of kidney problems and death. Report
> AstraZeneca says that it has completed patient enrollment in a study of Zactima (vandetanib), an oral anti-cancer drug. It's the first of four planned studies of the drug, and data from the trial is expected in 2008. Release
> Bavarian Nordic has successfully completed a Phase II trial of its next-generation smallpox vaccine candidate Imvamune. The trial completion has triggered a $25 million milestone payment from the Department of Health and Human Services. Release
> Cell Therapeutics has entered into agreements to sell approximately $6.5 million of its 7 percent convertible preferred stock and warrants in a registered offering to several institutional investors. Release
> According to TheScientist.com, a former University of Washington researcher who was discovered to have faked data in a number of instances, is now working at Schering Plough. Post
> An FDA advisory panel gave its backing to Abbott's new Xience stent, albeit an endorsement tinged with caution. The committee said Xience should be cleared for sale on one condition--that Abbott conduct post-marketing research on the product. Report
> Herceptin has become a lightning rod for debate over cancer treatment in England. Radiotherapists--including the specialty's chief at the National Health Service--are saying that cancer treatment is weighted too heavily toward expensive drugs and not enough toward more cost-effective radiation treatments. Report
And Finally... Wondering what Jean-Pierre Garnier will do with his free time when he steps down as GSK's head honcho in May? Wonder no more. Report