> France's NicOx has forged a deal to acquire Nitromed's unlicensed patent estate, covering nitric oxide-donating compounds. NicOx release
> The contract drug manufacturer PharmEng, which recently filed for bankruptcy, says that it is unable to file an audited statement for 2008 and is shutting down a plant in Sydney, Australia. Report
> Novus Biologicals is opening a European distribution hub for its antibodies in Cambridge, England. Story
> Amylin CEO Daniel Bradbury won a 10 percent raise last year, even as the company's losses surged. Report
> Salix Pharmaceuticals is touting positive data from a Phase III trial of rifaximin--a non-absorbed, gut selective antibiotic--in adult patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Salix release
> Array BioPharma announced the presentation of two abstracts detailing positive data for its novel, small molecule ErbB family inhibitor, ARRY-543. Array BioPharma release
> Genetic test developer Perlegen Sciences is licensing some of its IP to Celera. Report
> Back off, media, until we get our ducks in a row. That's what Solvay says in a statement issued to employees and the press yesterday. Report
> When a judge talks, you listen. The FDA is dialing back restrictions on the so-called "morning-after pill"--a.k.a. Plan B, from Barr Pharmaceuticals/Duramed--so that 17-year-olds can get the contraceptive without a prescription. FDA report
> They dialed, they talked, and they didn't agree to anything. Yes, Amylin held its promised conference with dissident shareholders (Carl Icahn's people and Eastbourne Capital Management, for those of you who've been in a cave for the last month). But no, they didn't settle their differences. Report
> Okay, pharma: How confident are you? Insurers may soon be asking you that very question. That's because Merck has inked a deal with Cigna that pegs the cost of its diabetes meds Januvia and Janumet to their performance. Merck report
> IMS Health already told us 2009 wasn't to be a bang-up year for pharma. Now, those prophets of doom say it's going to be even worse than they previously thought. Report
And Finally... A new study published in Infection and Immunity says that an experimental vaccine against C. jejune, a major cause of traveler's diarrhea, worked to protect mice and monkeys in a clinical study and may well prove effective in humans as well. Vaccines report