> U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has alleged that an FDA official collaborated with Merck to discredit FDA safety expert Dr. David Graham after he publicized health risks linked to Vioxx. Report
> Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Onyx reported that the FDA has provided fast-track status for Nexavar as a therapy for advanced melanoma. Nexavar was approved last year as a therapy for advanced renal-cell carcinoma. Report
> The FDA has approved a generic version of Boehringer Ingelheim's Mobic osteoarthritis therapy. Report
> ImClone Systems and Merck KGaA have amended their '98 development and licensing pact for Erbitux. Report
> Human Genome Sciences has initiated dosing of patients in a randomized Phase II clinical trial of HGS-ETR1--mapatumumab--in combination with bortezomib, Velcade, in advanced multiple myeloma. Release
And Finally... Columbia University Medical Center researchers say they have found an "off switch" for chronic pain. They've applied for a patent to develop a new class of drugs based on their findings. Report