@FierceBiotech: Merck KGaA's pancreatic cancer vaccine ready for testing. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: In case you missed it, Matthew Herper had an interesting piece on the Merck R&D moves. Good labs shuttered. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce
> The FDA has set a Feb. 25, 2011 PDUFA date for its closely-watch new drug for Gaucher's disease. Protalix and Pfizer are partners on the therapy and had expected a decision by October. Story
> Biogen Idec and its partner Orphan Biovitrum say that their experimental therapy for hemophilia met the safety goals laid out in an early-stage clinical trial. Report
> The Cambridge start-up Visterra has raised $6 million in its first venture round. Report
> Immonovaccine has struck a licensing deal for Merck KGaA's early-stage cancer vaccine EMD 640744, with plans to formulate it with its DepoVax delivery system. Immunovaccine is laying the stage for Phase I and Phase II trials of the experimental cancer vaccine. Release
> Midatech and Immunotope have created a new joint venture dubbed Syntara to develop new immune therapies to treat viral infections and certain cancers. "Syntara will be the first in class of immunotherapy companies with the capabilities of clinically relevant antigen discovery and efficient delivery, which is critical for successful immunotherapy product," says Professor Ramila Philip, the president and CSO of Immunotope. Story
And Finally... What can a wide-eyed, talking robot teach us about trust? Release