> Switzerland's Actelion will need to do more risk analysis work before the FDA will extend its approval for Tracleer to include patients with a less severe form of a rare heart and lung ailment. Release
> Ariad Pharmaceuticals has won a $10 million milestone from Merck following the first treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the company's Phase II clinical trial. Report
> High-Tec Pharmacal has forged a deal to buy ECR Pharmaceuticals for $5.1 million in cash. ECR has a rep force of 45. Story
> Xencor has inked a pact with Pfizer to optimize the performance of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Pfizer will apply Xencor's proprietary Xtend antibody half-life prolongation technology and XmAb ADCC enhancing technology to its antibody drug candidates. Release
> The credit crunch could force Procter & Gamble to hang onto its pharma unit longer than it wants to, analysts say. In fact, selling off the $2.2 billion pharmaceutical division might have to wait until 2010. Report
> Moberg Derma has forged a license and co-promotion agreement with a "leading Nordic OTC company" for K101 - Moberg Derma's novel treatment for nail fungus. Release
> Just when the FDA is getting plenty of criticism for lackluster oversight of food and drugs, it could be facing a new challenge: regulating tobacco. Report
> Alkermes says that a report in the Boston Business Journal that it is moving from Cambridge to Waltham is based on "pure speculation." Report
> It's the off-label marketing charge du jour: A whistleblower charges that Amgen engaged in illegal activities to sell its top-selling drugs Enbrel and Aranesp. Report
> Aerovance has received clearance from the FDA and the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to launch a Phase IIb clinical trial of its inhaled dry powder Aerovant in patients with uncontrolled asthma. Release
> These days, reading SEC documents is like being a fly on the wall in pharma's board rooms. Today, reporters observe that top Wyeth managers will reap a total of $22 million in payouts from the company when it's taken over by Pfizer later this year. Report
> AIG may be grabbing the boldface headlines today, but another acronym occupies us today: HHS. We finally have our new nominee for Health and Human Services, and as expected, it's Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (photo). Report
And Finally... Scientists in Hong Kong say that a smallpox vaccine is proving effective against bird flu. Report