> South San Francisco-based Renovis dropped a Phase Ia compound for MS after it revealed unexpected pharmacokinetic properties. Story
> The FDA has granted Lorus Therapeutics' proposal for a rolling application for its pancreatic cancer drug Virulizin. Release
> Small biotechs around the country say that a 2003 ruling by the NIH that cuts off funding to companies more than half-owned by venture capitalists has cut them out of millions of dollars in grants and forced them to suspend research programs. The biotechs say that the rules don't take into account the needs of a business that could take years and hundreds of millions of dollars in investments before it starts to make money. Story
> Novartis has obtained EU approval to market Diovan for heart failure. Story
> Exelixis and Switzerland's Helsinn Healthcare have reached an agreement for the development of XL119 (becatecarin). Release
> Sirna Therapeutics has inked a research collaboration with Mass General. Release
And Finally... The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at a wave of cancer vaccines now in Phase III development. Article