ALSO NOTED: R&D spending jumps; Bio-Imaging buys out Phoenix Data; Late-stage cancer drugs often successful; and much more...

> In a bid to broaden its clinical trial services offerings, Bio-Imaging has forged a deal to buy out Phoenix Data Systems for $24 million. Report

> Research spending into new drug developments jumped to $58.8 billion last year, according to a new study by PhRMA and Burrill & Co. That represents an increase of $3 billion. Release

> About one-fourth to one-half of new cancer treatments that reach assessment in Phase III randomized clinical trials are eventually proven successful, according to a new report. Release

> Halozyme shares surged yesterday in the wake of some upbeat comments from analysts and reports of insiders buying company stock. Report

> Chelsea Therapeutics is reporting positive results from a preclinical study of an RA therapy. Release

> Ceragenix Pharmaceuticals says it has inked a license agreement with FirstPoint Biotech for the development of CSA-54 and other members of the Ceragenin family of preclinical compounds to treat HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Release

> Why is Jim Cornelius (photo) smiling? His big promotion to permanent CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb last year came with a mighty boost in pay. According to the Wall Street Journal's calculations, Cornelius pulled down a $11.3 million pay package, up from $1.5 million in 2006. Report

> Biovail's shares fell to an eight-year low yesterday as more details emerged in the SEC case against the company, its founder and three other executives present and past. Report

> Merck CEO Richard Clark (photo) has his work cut out for him this year. Report

And Finally…The family of a cancer victim is asking for public support in its campaign to persuade GenVec to provide the late-stage therapy TNFerade for compassionate use. But the developer says it's waiting for new data and it can't set up a compassionate use program yet anyway--all supplies of the drug are needed for a trial. Article