> Poniard Pharmaceuticals says it's gathered encouraging data from its ongoing Phase II clinical trial of picoplatin in combination with docetaxel and prednisone as first-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Release
> Medivation has released positive efficacy data from its Phase I/II trial of MDV3100 in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Release
> The University of Rhode Island has hired the founder of EpiVax to lead research efforts aimed at finding vaccines for malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis. FierceVaccines
> Sanofi-aventis announced today that the FDA approved Apidra SoloSTAR, a prefilled disposable pen containing rapid-acting insulin analog Apidra. Sanofi-aventis release
> Contradictory news out of Africa and India today on Pfizer's big court fight with Nigeria. As you know, the drugmaker has been wrangling with the Kano state government and civil plaintiffs over a 90s'-era meningitis drug trial. During the trial, children taking the drug died and suffered disabling injuries--which victims and families blame on Pfizer and Pfizer blames on the meningitis itself. Report
> Roche's cache of cash is growing. The Swiss drugmaker raised another $14 billion in bonds, this time on the U.K. and European markets. That follows a $16 billion issue in the U.S. last week. Report
> U.K. authorities have recalled a Novartis meningitis vaccine on fears that 21,000 doses might be contaminated with bacteria. The infant vaccine--sold under the brand name Menjugate--had been ordered by the Department of Health as part of its routine meningitis C vaccination program for all babies. Report
> Forest Laboratories joins the perp walk. In the latest of a series of drug-marketing prosecutions, the feds are charging Forest with offering kickbacks to doctors for prescribing Celexa and Lexapro, and with marketing the antidepressants off-label for use in children. Report
> FDA has kicked Ranbaxy Laboratories out of the frying pan and into the fire. The agency accused the Indian generics maker of falsifying data and test results in its applications for drug approvals. Report
And Finally... A new WHO-backed study indicates that it would take 18 months to manufacture sufficient quantities of bird flu vaccine to combat an outbreak. And meanwhile vaccine production capacity may be on the verge of being reduced. FierceVaccines