> Galapagos has expanded its alliance in antibacterials and antivirals with GlaxoSmithKline to include three more discovery targets, garnering a payment of two million euros from GSK. Release
> Catapult Bio has opened up in Arizona with $14 million and plans to help advance new research in the state. Founders say they want to help bridge the big gap that often separates promising research in the lab from the commercial world. Report
> AGI Therapeutics has completed patient enrolment for ARDIS 1, the first pivotal Phase III efficacy study of Rezular, AGI's lead product for the treatment of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Release
> The Wall Street Journal is finally "officializing" what you pharma sales reps have known for some time: the drug sales world is positively scary. Report
> Pfizer is riding the same stormy waters as every other drugmaker. But with dual layoff stories last week capping a long season of job cuts and cost-squeezing, industry observers are wondering whether this pharma behemoth is sinking under its own weight, The Day reports. Report
> The fledgling PDS Biotechnology says it will move from Cincinnati to Indianapolis after garnering $2 million from Indiana's research and technology fund. Report
> No sooner did Elan announce that it was evaluating its "strategic alternatives" than rumors began moving markets. Report
> India's Zenotech Laboratories says that Daiichi Sankyo should raise its open offer price for shares. Report
> The UK biotech Pro-Cure Therapeutics has gained new funds from investors. Story
> Covance has won final approval to open up a new, $100 million animal research center in Arizona. When it's fully operational, Covance says the research facility will employ up to 500 people. Report
> There's a growing belief in scientific circles that the old theory that aging is the natural result of gradually tiring cells isn't accurate. Instead, many researchers are advocating a new approach, one which sees aging as a deliberate molecular process that can be manipulated following new research into the molecular machinery at work. Report
And Finally... Xconomy's Luke Timmerman asked a group of biotech executives at the JP Morgan conference how they assessed the year ahead. The mood, he says, was generally grim but perhaps not quite as apocalyptic as billed. Report