FDA advisers turn attention to indacaterol; Analyst touts success of Gilead hep C combo;

@FierceBiotech: Genzyme's Termeer to pocket up to $221M. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Additional point: $55 million is what you'd often see a promising biotech raise in VC funds ahead of Phase II. Follow @JohnCFierce

> Today's the big day for Novartis's COPD drug indacaterol, which goes in front of an FDA advisory panel as regulators take their second look at the therapy. One of the key questions the pharma company faces on this program is whether both doses of the drug should be OK'd. High doses have been linked with safety issues. Report

> Citing an abstract, analysts at RBC Capital say that Gilead's four-drug hep C combo eliminated signs of the virus in an early-stage trial. Mid-stage data should arrive next year. Story

> As expected, regulators at the FDA have rejected Salix's attempt to expand the use of Xifaxan to include irritable bowel syndrome, demanding more data on the indication. Salix had already flagged the move weeks ago, which caused the value of its shares to tumble. Report

> Managers at Actelion, who have been fighting off an effort to force the company onto the auction block, have won the support of a key investor. Story

> Plexxikon today announced that it has treated the first patient in a Phase II clinical trial in Hodgkin lymphoma with PLX3397. Plexxikon release

Pharma News

> Eisai's cuts focused in U.S., with 600 jobs to go. Report

FDA officially denies IBD indication for Salix drug. Report

Biotech Research News

> New microscope gives researchers 3D 'omniscience'. Article

> Scientists sink claws into toenails as cancer marker. Story 

> Researchers find more heart-attack genes. News

> Stem cells could replace neurons lost to Alzheimer's. Article

> Noninvasive Down syndrome test developed. Report

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Congress abets drugmaker rebate secrecy. News

> Congress enlists GAO in drug shortages probe. Item

> Fujifilm, Samsung ops notion misguided. Report

> Another drug security threat: pharmacists. News 

> Experts prep drug operations for move to farm. Story

 

 

And Finally... The bipolar disorder rate in the U.S. has hit 4.4 percent, the highest in the world. Story