> Discovery Laboratories says it expects to submit a complete response to the FDA's approvable letter for Surfaxin within the next four weeks. Report
> Two patients died following liver damage related to taking the cancer drug Tarceva, according to a letter the FDA posted. The two patients were believed to have moderate liver problems, but it turns out they were severe. They died within one month of completing treatment. Tarceva report
> ImaRx has divested its urokinase business to Microbix Biosystems for an upfront payment of $2 million and the assumption of $500,000 in chargeback liabilities for commercial product currently in the distribution channel. An additional $2.5 million payment will be made to ImaRx upon release by the FDA of the three lots of urokinase that are currently subject to a May 2008 Approvable Letter. ImaRx release
> Families in Argentina are saying GlaxoSmithKline tricked them into participating in an experimental vaccine trial by telling them their children were receiving medical treatment, according to an ABC News exposé. GlaxoSmithKline report
> ZaBeCor Pharmaceuticals has formed a new subsidiary. Biothorpe Pharmaceuticals will focus on the development of siRNA, antisense and other molecular technologies for the treatment of cancer. ZaBeCor release
> In a proactive move, pharma giant Eli Lilly says it will start to become transparent about just how much cash it doles out to physicians and for what purpose. Report
> Dyax has completed its BLA for approval of Dyax's DX-88 (ecallantide) for the treatment of hereditary angioedema. Dyax release
> Following our story last week on the possible deleterious effects of ipratropium from a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a hot-off-the-presses JAMA meta-analysis concluded, "Inhaled anticholinergics are associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke among patients with COPD." Report
> QuatRx Pharmaceuticals announced additional data from its Phase III study for Ophena (Ospemifene Tablets) showing improvements in clinical symptoms of Vulvovaginal Atrophy. QuatRx release
> In response to hundreds of consumer reports, the FDA came down on a group of companies selling topical skin creams and eyewashes, which the FDA says are actually unapproved prescription medications. The companies have two months to file for FDA approval or stop making the products. Report
> ChemBridge Corporation today announced a new multi-year research collaboration in discovery chemistry with AstraZeneca. ChemBridge release
And Finally... Academic researchers, hospitals and biotech companies are frequently forced to bring in expensive legal help to lay the framework for joint cancer research projects. But now the Justice Department has signed off on a plan to come up with boilerplate study contracts. And the National Cancer Institute is supporting the standard contracts. Report