ALSO NOTED: Asuragen outlines start-up plans; Serologicals closing Toronto plant; and much more...

> Asuragen, a start-up molecular diagnostics company formed after the sale of Ambion's research products division in December, will get started with initial funding of $35 million. The company will be based in Austin, TX. Report

> Serologicals is closing its Toronto plant and moving its cell culture production work to Illinois. Report

> Shares of Advancis Pharmaceutical slipped after it announced yesterday that a deal to sell its antibiotic Keflex for $11 million had fallen through. The money had been earmarked for clinical trials of a new antibiotic. Now Advancis says it will keep Keflex and develop new products from it. Keflex had been the only money-making drug in the company's portfolio. Report

> Repligen and the University of Michigan have sued Bristol-Myers Squibb for allegedly infringing a patent on a new treatment for arthritis. Article

> Advanced Life Sciences of Woodridge, IL, has begun a Phase III trial of cethromycin in community acquired pneumonia. Release

> Chutes & Ladders: Hydra Biosciences has named Russell H. Herndon as CEO. Release

> Chutes & Ladders: IDM Pharma's president, Dr. Emile Loria, has left the company to pursue other interests. Release

> INNOVIVE Pharmaceuticals has licensed the rights to develop and market NS-187, a drug candidate developed by Nippon Shinyaku, worldwide except in Japan. Release

And Finally… Ventria Bioscience has pulled out of a deal to move to Missouri after the state legislature delayed approving its part of the funding for a new plant. Article