> Call it a win-win deal. Pfizer and Eisai have restructured their Aricept partnership and entered a new co-promotion deal on Lyrica. The deals ward off a court battle over the Alzheimer's treatment Aricept. Article
> NicOx has submitted an NDA for naproxcinod. The drug is indicated for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. Release
> The Michigan Economic Development Corp., Ann Arbor SPARK, Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and a private foundation have collaborated to create the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center. MLSIC's aim is to connect well-funded, experienced entrepreneurs with business accelerator organizations and start-up life science companies. Release
> The EMEA Friday recommended approval of swine flu vaccines from Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline, following a fast-track review by its expert committee on new drugs. Article
Pharma News
> A new study found that use of Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo's new anti-clotting drug Effient produced an average cost savings of $221 per patient, compared with use of the Big Kahuna of clotbusters, Plavix. Article
> Breathe easier, Big Pharma. The industry's $80 billion deal with lawmakers lives to fight another day. Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee voted down an amendment that would have forced bigger cost cuts on drugmakers, essentially breaking the agreement forged by PhRMA and Sen. Max Baucus, who chairs the committee. Article
> Doctors are getting in on the improve-the-FDA act. The American College of Physicians has issued a policy paper calling for new powers and new funding for the agency. Article
And Finally... The FDA has for the first time publicly admitted that politics influenced an approval decision. After repeatedly receiving negative recommendations from FDA scientists, agency officials last year approved a patch for injured knees. That decision was directly influenced by pressure from four New Jersey congressman that had received contributions from the manufacturer, ReGen, and the agency's own commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach. Article