Vertex touts new data; FDA misses Forest Labs' PDUFA date; progress on bird flu vaccine;

[industry_news]

> Vertex Pharmaceuticals is touting positive new data for its cystic fibrosis drug. Researchers say the drug helped patients breathe better than a placebo at both the high and low dose. Release l Report
> Government officials in the Netherlands are investigating accusations that Sanofi-Aventis and GlaxoSmithKline were providing research funding to members of the country's Health Council, which advises the government on public health issues, at a time when the group was considering whether to have girls vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. Report
> Forest Laboratories and Cypress Bioscience announced that the FDA was not able to meet its October 18 PDUFA deadline for a decision on their fibromyalgia drug. They added that the agency indicated that it could make a decision in a matter of weeks. Release
> Takeda Pharmaceutical says that the FDA has added three months to its review of TAK-390MR, a Takeda candidate for treating gastric reflux. Release l Report
> The San Francisco Business Times profiles Fibrogen, "a cash-rich company with a potential blockbuster anemia drug." Report
> An FDA advisory committee will meet tomorrow to discuss Genzyme's BLA for Myozyme, a treatment for Pompe disease. Report
> Actavis is downplaying talk of a buyout after media reports last week highlighted its primary shareholder's financial troubles. But the denials are vague, and the company does admit having hired Merrill Lynch to analyze its options, which could include a sale or merger. Report
> Biogen Idec is building up its defenses against the sort of proxy battle it was forced to wage with activist investor Carl Icahn earlier this year. Report
> And Finally... A single vaccine could be used to protect chickens, cats and humans against deadly flu pandemics, according to an article published in the November issue of the Journal of General Virology. Release


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