> The British government plans to stockpile 2 million doses of vaccine to combat the H5N1 flu strain circulating in Asia and has invited manufacturers to bid on a contract to provide the doses. The vaccines will be earmarked for key medical and emergency workers in case of a global pandemic. Report
> Epix Pharmaceuticals expects a delay in its Phase II study of an experimental drug for imaging blood clots. Release
> BioDelivery Sciences has secured up to $7 million in financing as part of a deal to develop its proposed drug, Bema Fentanyl. The capital will finance Phase III trials of the drug, intended to treat severe cancer-related pain. Release
> Indian pharma company Ranbaxy is in talks with the Hyderabad-based biotech start-up, Zenotech Laboratories, to market Zenotech's cancer drugs worldwide. The agreement would include major regulated markets like the US and Europe. Among Zenotech's products ready for launch is its first target, India's first recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) biotech product. Zenotech also has received clearance from domestic regulators to make a generic version of Genentech's Rituxan. Report
> The FDA warned doctors to be on the lookout for rare but deadly infections in women using the abortion pill RU-486, citing two more deaths after its use. The announcement comes one day after the drug manufacturer, Danco Laboratories, announced it would revise its labeling to warn patients of the risk. Story
> Amgen's profit surged 38 percent in the second quarter to $1 billion on $3.2 billion in revenue, and the company boosted its prediction for annual earnings. Story
> Chemokine Therapeutics' drug for childhood bone cancer, CTCE-9908 was granted orphan-drug designation by the FDA. Release
> The FDA granted orphan status to Bronchitol, a Pharmaxis drug, for treatment of cystic fibrosis; the drug already had orphan status for treatment of bronchiectasis. Release
> Spectrum Pharmaceuticals won a US Patent Allowance for SPI-339, a potential drug for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The company plans to license the drug for development and marketing. Release
> The FDA granted Perrigo approval to make prescription-strength ibuprofen tablets. Release
> US biotechnology firm Senomyx has signed a two-year deal with Cadbury Adams USA to develop new flavorings for chewing gum. Story
> NASDAQ plans to delist the common stock of Aerogen, a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops aerosol drugs for respiratory disorders. Release
And Finally… The Texas Enterprise Fund is backing a new Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine at Texas A&M University with a $50 million grant. The facility will conduct research into gene knockout technology, which allows scientists to study functions of individual genes and develop drugs to treat diseases. Story