ALSO NOTED: Texas lawmakers reject HPV deal; New warnings on sleep drugs; and much more...

> The Texas House handed the state governor a lopsided defeat yesterday, rejecting his order that required HPV vaccines as a condition for school attendance. Report

> The FDA is demanding drug makers to add new warnings to sleep drugs to alert users about two rare but dangerous side effects: sleep-driving and severe allergic reactions. Report

> Prima BioMed announced that a small Phase IIa trial for its ovarian cancer therapy "exceeded expectations." Four of 21 patients in the study had either a positive response or saw the disease stabilize, exceeding the 15 percent response rate that researchers had set as a goal. Report

> Optimer Pharmaceuticals reported that the FDA has agreed with the recommendation of the independent data safety monitoring board to advance Difimicin (OPT-80/PAR101) into Phase III clinical studies. Release

> India's Syngene International has inked an R&D and early drug development agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. No terms were disclosed. Report

> Advanced Life Sciences Holdings anthrax inhalation therapy cethromycin has received orphan drug status. Report

> The FDA has given Avigen the green light to commence Phase II clinical development of AV650 (tolperisone). Release

And Finally… A new study projects a looming shortage of cancer doctors as demand for their services soars. Article