> GlaxoSmithKline has begun human trials of a new swine flu vaccine, joining a long lineup of developers racing to gather data on new jabs as the globe braces for a second wave of flu cases. Release
> AGI Therapeutics and Axcan Pharma have ended their deal covering AGI-010, a mid-stage drug for gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. AGI says it now has full rights for the drug and is looking for a new partner. Release
> Intrexon has hired Dr. Ronald Herberman as chief medical officer of oncology and announced plans to move to the biotech hub in Maryland. Herberman has directed the large cancer institute at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Release | Report
> The underwriters of Seattle Genetics recent stock offering have exercised options to buy more shares, raising the value of the offering to $136 million. Report
> Swiss regulators have given Durham, NC-based Oxygen Biotherapeutics approval to launch a mid-stage study of an experimental therapy for severe brain trauma. The CRO PFC Pharma Focus AG will supervise the study. Release
> With its stock surging on the fresh clinical trial success of LibiGel, BioSante says that it is raising a little more than $11 million from the sale of stock to three institutional investors. Story
> Pharming says the FDA has accepted its INDA for Prodarsan, clearing the way for a clinical trial of the therapy. Prodarson is designed to treat Cockayne Syndrome, which leads to premature aging. Release | Story
Pharma News
> Will the big carrot for pharma investors shrink? Deutsche Bank's Barbara Ryan thinks so. In a note to investors, the über-analyst predicts that Big Pharma's big dividends will soon be a thing of the past. Report
> More cases of H1N1 resistant to Roche's Tamiflu antiviral have cropped up. According to the World Health Organization, China and Singapore have each found Tamiflu-resistant viruses. And Charles Penn, a WHO scientist, told the Canadian Press that WHO has been formally alerted to a small number of other resistant pandemic viruses. Report
> FDA has sounded the all-clear on Mylan. After investigating allegations of quality control problems at its Morgantown, WV, plant, the agency has given the manufacturing facility its blessing. "This officially closes the FDA's investigation and the agency plans no additional action," FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon told Reuters. Mylan report
And Finally... Animal rights activists gathered at Camp Pendleton to protest the military's use of pigs to train personnel in treating trauma injuries. Report