> Shares of Sepracor were on the rise this morning after researchers announced that a Phase III trial of eslicarbazepine acetate demonstrated a significant reduction in partial seizures among epilepsy patients. Release
> Forest Laboratories says its drug ceftaroline achieved its primary endpoint in a Phase III trial. Researchers say the therapy proved non-inferior compared to vancomycin and astreonam. Story
> Austin-based Appian Labs launched this week with plans to develop new drug delivery technology. The company is backed by Emergent Technologies. Report
> A new biotech facility is being planned in Malaysia. Story
> Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick won BIO's annual award as governor of the year, which could only be expected after gaining approval for a $1 billion incentive program for the biotech industry. Report
> The Boston Globe weighs in with a report on the lavish spreads states have been laying out to woo biotech executives. Report
> By year's end, the FDA will have three offices opened in China. That's what HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt has pledged, saying that negotiations with the Chinese for clearance to open those FDA branches "have made significant steps forward." FDA report
> You lose some, you win some. That's the upshot of the U.K.'s new pharmaceutical pricing agreement with drugmakers, announced late yesterday. Pharma will take a $985 million haircut from the deal, but the NHS says it will twist some arms at the regionally governed Primary Care Trusts, which have come under fire for refusing to fund groundbreaking--but expensive--treatments. Report
> The safety concerns recently raised about TNF blockers in general and Enbrel in particular weren't enough to keep the Amgen drug down. An FDA advisory panel voted 7-5 in favor of using Enbrel in children with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Report
> The FDA is saying Genentech shouldn't blame the agency for a change in Avastin's use for wet AMD. Report
And Finally... As soon as Ranbaxy's founding Singh family agreed to sell out to Japan's Daiichi Sankyo, the Indian press started speculating about which pharma firm might be next on the buyout list . Here are 10 contenders. Report