> It turns out that the online phenom RealAge is a real bonanza of information for Big Pharma. The New York Times reports today that the website--which advertises itself all over the web as a longevity coach--collects information via its RealAge test for drugmakers, which use the info in their marketing. Report
> Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have begun testing a vaccine that they believe could prevent colon cancer in people at high risk for developing the disease. And it might spare patients the risk and inconvenience of repeated invasive surveillance tests, such as colonoscopy, that are now necessary to spot and remove precancerous polyps. Report
> Shares of Novo Nordisk were on the rise this morning in advance of an April 2 FDA panel review of its new diabetes drug liraglutide. Report
> Molecular Insights Pharmaceuticals is preparing a late-stage trial of a new diagnostic tool for uncovering blockages in the heart. Story
> Lux Biosciences today reported that the three phase 3 LUMINATE trials of the company's LX211 drug candidate for uveitis demonstrated a positive effect on ocular inflammation and "a safety profile consistent with the expected use of LX211 in this indication." Lux release
> Neurotech Pharmaceuticals' lead product candidate, NT-501, substantially slowed the loss of vision in a Phase II clinical trial in subjects with dry age-related macular degeneration AMD involving geographic atrophy. Release
> GenVec says it may end a two manufacturing deal with the UK's Cobra Biomanufacturing. Report
> Last week's report from IMS Health on stagnating drug sales also included some lovely little nuggets on top brands by prescription and by dollar volume. Report
>The American Psychiatric Association's board of trustees has voted to phase out industry-supported symposia and industry-supplied meals at its annual meetings. The group, which says that it's following the growing transparency trend, says that Pharma's involvement in its activities has "invited a concern" that doctors may be biased in favor of the sponsoring company's treatments. Report
> GlaxoSmithKline is getting cozier with South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare Holdings. After linking up with Aspen in a marketing alliance last year, Glaxo is negotiating for a minority stake in the company--anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent, according to press reports. GSK report
> Two new studies to be published in the April 1 issue of Journal of Infectious Diseases say Merck's quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, appears to protect against viral strains not included in the vax. This is especially the case for women not exposed to the virus before vaccination. Report
> Health officials in the Ukraine say that unjustified fears about the potential side effects associated with vaccines has caused hundreds of thousands of people to decide against guarding themselves from a slate of diseases. Report
And Finally... With Merck moving to obtain approval to market the HPV vaccine Gardasil to boys, health policy experts note that the discussion regarding vaccinating boys is far different from the heated arguments that surrounded approving the vaccine for girls. Report