> Celgene's cancer drug Revlimid met the primary endpoint in a Phase III trial in patients multiple myeloma who had undergone a stem cell transplant. Article
> In order to appease minority shareholders, Novartis may up its bid for eyecare company Alcon. Article
> Protalix BioTherapeutics said Wednesday a panel recommended that European regulators give the company's developing Gaucher disease drug orphan drug status. Story
> CytRx today announced plans to initiate a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bafetinib (formerly known as INNO-406) in patients with high-risk B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Release
> Otic Pharma has successfully completed the Phase II clinical trial for its innovative foam-based treatment for ear infections. Story
> Human Genome Sciences shocked Wall Street last year with the clinical success of its experimental lupus treatment; now, the company wants to make sure there are no surprises in providing an adequate supply upon regulatory approval, which could come later this year. Report
Pharma News
> Biogen Idec CEO James Mullen (photo) failed to impress investors yesterday with a "glowing" report on sales of multiple sclerosis remedy Tysabri. Biogen shares dropped despite the news that Tysabri won the blockbuster crown in 2009 by posting sales of $1 billion plus and the drug's sales growth has accelerated. Biogen article
> What if one of your top-selling drugs went off-patent--and nobody stepped up to copy it? It sounds like the pleasant daydream of many a Big Pharma CEO. But it's exactly what GlaxoSmithKline chief Andrew Witty says he expects to happen with his respiratory drug Advair. GSK report
> The FDA has issued another wave of letters demanding changes in drug promotions. Warning letters went out to Bayer, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Cephalon, ordering the companies to stop using DTC ads and other promos that either exaggerate a drug's benefits or downplay its risks--or both. Here are the FDA's beefs. Report
> Remember the Federal Trade Commission's vow to curb "pay-for-delay" deals? Well, it appears that the agency has won some more friends in Congress. Article
Manufacturing News
> Pfizer roared to two top spots in the 2010 facility of the year competition, thanks to its factories on the Emerald Isle. Report
> Xcellerex's yellow fever vaccine is about to be tested in a Phase I study, marking a clinical-phase milestone for the company. Item
> The transparency-minded FDA of Margaret Hamburg has taken the first step in its see-through makeover: the regulator has unveiled an Internet-based curriculum called "FDA Basics," aimed at helping site visitors understand what it does. FDA news
> Sound familiar? Following several drug "incidents," Hong Kong is beefing up its drug regulatory arm. Report
> Johnson & Johnson tops a list of companies that deliver value across a health care supply chain, from manufacturer to patient. AMR Research, recently acquired by Gartner, conducted the study, which resulted in a top 25 list of drug and device makers, hospitals and distributors, reports Pharmaceutical Commerce magazine. Report
And Finally... Here's a new indication lots of drugmakers would like: Researchers have found that blood pressure meds sold by AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Aventis, Merck and others might also cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Report