> Sanofi-Aventis has received approval to sell a new, extended release version of its insomnia drug Ambien in the US. The drug maker has been developing the new version to compete with a host of new insomnia drugs entering the market. Release
> The federal government has approved Amgen's two new manufacturing facilities in Rhode Island and Puerto Rico. Release
> Barr and Teva said they'll partner up on an upcoming launch of a generic version of Sanofi-Aventis' Allegra allergy tablets. Story
> A new study of the ACE inhibitor Perindopril shows it reduced the risk of death among elderly heart attack victims. In the US, perindopril is co-promoted under the brand ACEON by CV Therapeutics and Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Release
> Roche has filed for European approval to use MabThera against rheumatoid arthritis. Story
> Dade Behring has struck a deal to buy medical diagnostic assets from Ranbaxy for an undisclosed sum. Article
> In a head-to-head study, GlaxoSmithKline's blood clot drug Arixtra was as effective as Sanofi-Aventis' Lovenox with less risk of internal bleeding. Report
And Finally... Globe columnist Steven Syre considers the lessons learned from Transkaryotic Therapies' penchant for sugar coating its announcements on trial results. Column