Amgen to lay off 150 in CO; Genentech and Novartis top image rankings;

@FierceBiotech: BMS, Roche join forces and drugs on combo melanoma program. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Orexigen says the FDA wanted a cardio trial that is "unprecedented...generate significantly more information than is necessary or feasible." | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Amgen has announced it will lay off 150 workers at its Longmont and Boulder, CO facilities by August 1. Currently there are approximately 850 employees in the centers. Report

> According to a study by Market Strategies International, Genentech and Novartis have the best company images among oncologists and hematologists. Release

> Kenneth Kaitin writes in Pharmaceutical Technology about the R&D field, its challenges and how future blockbusters will be found. Article

> Clovis Oncology has reached an agreement with Pfizer for its oral and IV Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, PF-01367338. The drug is currently in Phase I/II testing for solid tumor treatment. Clovis release

> Addex Pharmaceuticals' Vincent Mutel, has relinquished his CEO seat at the company. He will be replaced by Andre J. Mueller, chairman of the Addex board, while a subcommittee searches for a replacement. Addex release

> Cambridge, MA-based Ariad Pharmaceuticals released new results for ponatinib for acute myeloid leukemia treatment. In a Phase I study, 43 percent of patients showed hematologic evidence of anti-leukemic activity. Release

> Five ASCO presentations come from collaborations with the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium and various companies, and will focus on potential treatments for the blood cancer. Release 

> The Tasley Group, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, will move into the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center in Montgomery County, MD. The move will create dozens of new jobs in the next three years. Story

> Parsippany, NJ-based Pacira Pharmaceuticals has added Laura A. Brege and Paul J. Hastings to its board of directors. Pacira release

> Peregrine Pharmaceuticals will present new data for Cotara for glioblastoma treatment at ASCO this afternoon. The Phase II trial monitored the drug's safety, tolerability and patient survival rates. Peregrine release

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: ASCO spotlight on Yervoy, Zytiga and more. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Cephalon CEO up for $14M severance in Teva deal. News

> Study: Tarceva delays lung cancer twice as long. Report

> Abbott in talks to resolve Depakote marketing suits. Story

> Endo reps jump on overtime-suit bandwagon. Article

And Finally... The man called "Dr. Death" has died. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who participated in over 100 assisted suicides, died at age 83 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. He was convicted of second degree murder in 1999 and served eight years in prison. News