> PerkinElmer has acquired the screening and diagnostics company Spectral Genomics for an undisclosed amount. Report
> European regulators have backed a request to make Herceptin available for early-stage use against breast cancer, a move that is likely to significantly increase sales while adding new cost pressures to government health agencies. In the U.S., the FDA is giving the application for early use a priority review. Herceptin is sold by Genentech and Roche. Article (WSJ sub. req.)
> Efforts to provide $150 million in state support for the biosciences are running into resistance in Arizona's legislature. Report
> Chemokine has begun a Phase Ib/II trial of its cancer therapy CTCE-9908. Report
> Novocell has hired Alan Lewis as president and CEO. Report
> The FDA will accept Critical Therapeutics' NDA for a time-controlled release version of zileutin. Report
> Tanox has released 48-week results for its HIV drug TNX-355. Report
> Telik has begun a Phase III trial of a combination of Telcyta and Doxil for ovarian cancer. Release
And Finally… A federal plan to deal with a bird flu pandemic is scheduled for release tomorrow, with recommendations for quarantining patients, keeping workers three feet apart and providing surgical masks to sick airline passengers. Article