> MedImmune has agreed to pay an upfront fee and milestone payments to GlaxoSmithKline in exchange for the development rights to certain anti-staphylococcal monoclonal antibodies. Release
> Denied class-action status, more than 1,000 people filed separate lawsuits against Purdue Pharma claiming that the drug company was responsible for their addiction to Oxycontin because it was unwilling to warn physicians about the painkiller. Report
> Palo Alto, California-based Genencor has received a government grant to develop a process for the rapid production of emergency pharmaceuticals needed in the event of a bioterror attack. Release
> The FDA has provided priority review status for Novartis' breast cancer drug Femara. Story
> Baxter Healthcare of Deerfield, Illinois, said it received FDA approval for Ceftriaxone Injection, USP 1g/50 mL and 2g/50 mL packaged in single-dose plastic containers. Baxter will add Ceftriaxone, the generic version of Roche Pharmaceuticals' Rocephin, to its frozen portfolio. Release
> Peregrine Pharmaceuticals of Tustin, California, has begun an early-stage clinical trial of a brain cancer therapy. Release
And Finally… President Bush is stepping up to help promote the new Medicare Part D drug benefit. Article