> Amylin Pharmaceuticals reports that a mid-stage study of its combo obesity therapy produced positive data. Patients with a BMI of less than 35 who were treated at the highest dose lost an average of 11 percent of their body weight compared to a 1.8 percent weight loss in the placebo arm. Release l Report
> Shares of Human Genome Sciences jumped on the news that its antibody drug raxibacumab demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment for inhalation anthrax in an animal study. Close to two thirds of the monkeys involved in the study experienced significantly increased survival rates. None of the monkeys in the control arm survived. HGS release
> India's Cadila Pharma is reportedly forming a joint venture with Novavax to produce swine flu vaccine. Last April the two companies formed a joint venture to produce vaccines using Novavax's virus-like particle technology. Report
> A new Senate proposal would delay the arrival of any biosimilar competition by more than 13 years. It's one of many ideas now floating around Capitol Hill. Story
> Biogen Idec won fast track status at the FDA for its PEGylated interferon beta-1a, or BIIB017, program for multiple sclerosis. Researchers are recruiting patients for a Phase III study. Report
> The healthcare investment bank Leerink Swann has formed an international collaboration with Switzerland's InterPharmaLink. Report
> Amarin Corporation has reached agreement with the FDA on a Special Protocol Assessment for its planned Phase III clinical trial of AMR101 (ethyl-EPA) in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. Amarin release
> Presidio Pharmaceuticals says they have selected one of the lead compounds in their hepatitis C virus NS5A program to advance toward clinical development. Presidio release
Pharma News
> In the wake of an FDA advisory panel's vote to limit acetaminophen dosage last week, J&J hit the ground running, splashing full-page ads in national newspapers to reassure the public that their pain reliever is safe if taken at the proper dosage. Report
> Using financial data and stock prices from pharma firms with $50 million-plus annual sales, researchers found that R&D investments are a boost and promotions are a drag. Report
> Yes, folks, we have another cholesterol-drug trial mystery on our hands. A study comparing Abbott's Niaspan drug with Merck/Schering-Plough's Zetia was terminated by an independent steering committee. Report
> Now that AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb have the EMEA's nod on Onglyza, they're revving up to launch the new diabetes remedy. rst target: Germany. Timing: By the end of this quarter. Report
> Two bits of good news for GlaxoSmithKline today, from two of the big acronyms in the pharma business. First, the U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (a.k.a. NICE) says it'll reconsider its decision against the breast cancer drug Tyverb. Report
Vaccine News
> A team of virologists at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have genetically engineered a new rabies vaccine that appears to work after a single jab. Report
> GlaxoSmithKline has cleared a key hurdle for gaining wider use of its cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix, winning the World Health Organization's approval to offer the jab in developing countries. Report
> The USDA has approved the first new vaccine to protect dogs from the H3N8 flu virus. Report
And Finally... As the Obama administration grapples with the question of whether or not to order a massive quantity of swine flu vaccine for this fall, it is holding a one-day summit at the NIH today to get states and communities focused on preparing for a fall flu season that could be unlike anything they've seen before. NIH report