BioPharma Today

Coming in Wednesday's "The Pink Sheet" DAILY

Olaparib and TC-5214 development setbacks at AstraZeneca lead to $380 million charge in the fourth quarter, with core EPS likely at the bottom of the expected range.

The Latest News From "The Pink Sheet" DAILY - Gilead Asks Truvada Approval For HIV Prevention

 Burrill & Co. Launches Fourth Fund With $313 Million And Aims For More Fresh from an exceptional return on its investment in recently-acquired Pharmasset, the San Francisco firm already has enough to make Burrill Capital Fund IV its largest fund yet.

Editor's Picks from the World Press

Business & Finance

Sanofi completes sale of dermatology unit to Valeant
Canadian Business Dec. 19, 2011

Coming In Tuesday's "The Pink Sheet" DAILY - Burrill Starts Fourth Fund After Strong Exit from VRUS

Merchant bank and life sciences investor Burrill & Co. said it will begin investing its fourth life sciences fund, Burrill Capital Fund IV, with the first $313 million of a proposed $500 million in hand. The firm, which recently enjoyed a strong exit when Gilead acquired its portfolio company Pharmasset, hopes to reach its fundraising goal within six months.

FDA signaled it is willing to be flexible about deadlines for manufacturers to include new safety information in the printed versions of prescription drug labels on marketed product, depending on how serious and new the information is, supply chain factors, and other considerations.

Latest News From "The Pink Sheet" DAILY - Quintiles Opens Chinese Focused Office

As China Turns To Innovation, Quintiles Goes Local To Woo Chinese Customers Unlike Quintile's current offices in Beijing and Shanghai, newly launched Kun Tuo will focus solely on Chinese biopharma customers, offering them custom-tailored solutions at a competitive price point.

Editor's Picks From The World Press

Business & Finance

ISTA rejects $314M buyout offer from Valeant
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Dec. 16, 2011

Apricus buys Topotarget USA, cancer drug Totect
San Diego Union-Tribune Dec. 16, 2011

Bausch & Lomb seeks partners in eye-drug market
PharmaTimes (U.K.) Dec. 16, 2011

Alexza considers strategic options as regulators review Adasuve
Bloomberg Dec. 16, 2011

Sharer to step down as Amgen chairman and CEO
The Washington Post Dec. 15, 2011

Government & Legal News

Thalidomide case to be heard in Australia
ABC News Dec. 19, 2011

Roche and Daiichi's Zelboraf is recommended for EU approval
Reuters Dec. 16, 2011

German panel recommends AstraZeneca's Brilique
The Wall Street Journal Dec. 15, 2011

Pipeline/R&D News

Pfizer says study backs Lyrica for RLS patients
The Wall Street Journal Dec. 16, 2011

Syngis stroke drug misses key goal in trial
Bloomberg Dec. 15, 2011

Coming In Monday's "The Pink Sheet" DAILY - NeuorgesX's QUTENZA To Go Before FDA Panel

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission votes to recommend that Congress increase the difference between copayments for generic and branded drugs used by low-income beneficiaries in Medicare Part D to encourage greater generic use in that population.

Latest News From "The Pink Sheet" DAILY - FDA Prevents 96 Drug Shortages In Six Weeks

Third Rock Launches Ember Therapeutics With Focus On Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes The sole investor in a $34 million Series A financing, Third Rock hopes Ember can be a pioneer in development of obesity drugs that augment brown fat levels.

Editors' Picks From The World Press

Business & Finance

Covidien to spin off pharma business
Mass High Tech (Boston) Dec. 15, 2011

Coming in Friday's "The Pink Sheet" DAILY

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced a succession plan Dec. 15, with board member Jeffrey Leiden pegged to move into the CEO position, effective Feb. 1, 2012, as current CEO and Chairman Matthew Emmens will transition out of the role and into retirement next May. Leiden is a former president and COO at Abbott, where he oversaw the launch of Humira.