This is the RSS news feed of one of our free news channels on LSIS - The Life Science Infromation Service. Please visit us to find a current view of this one and many more channels via our alerting push services: http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 http://www.lsis.com/goto/r94/rss 2012-02-05T11:11:00+01:00 text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 BACKGROUND: The safety and immunogenicity of the cell-culture derived seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine ([CCIV] Optaflu, Novartis) has been reported previously in adults and elderly. In this study we compared the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of CCIV with a conventional egg-derived trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) in a healthy pediatric population. METHODS: 3604 subjects were randomized to receive 2 doses of CCIV or TIV (3-8 y, n=2630) at a 28-day interval or a single (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Background: The relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and cancer patient groups has been the subject of much scrutiny and skepticism, and some high-profile negative media coverage has focused attention on some of the problematic aspects of the relationship. Both the pharmaceutical industry and cancer patient groups have made an effort in recent years to improve the transparency and openness of their relations, specifically with regard to the financial support offered by (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 BACKGROUND: In the development of pediatric A/H1N1 influenza vaccines this study was performed to identify antigen and adjuvant doses providing optimal immunogenicity and antibody persistence to ensure long-term immunity following immunization with an adjuvanted A/H1N1 vaccine in children 3 to text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The human cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5, encoded by the SCN5A gene) is critical for action potential generation and propagation in the heart. Drug-induced sodium channel inhibition decreases the rate of cardiomyocyte depolarization and consequently conduction velocity and can have serious implications for cardiac safety. Genetic mutations in hNav1.5 have also been linked to a number of cardiac diseases. Therefore, off-target hNav1.5 inhibition may be considered a risk marker for a drug (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The crystal structures of tankyrase 1 (TNKS1) in complex with two small-molecule inhibitors, PJ34 and XAV939, both at 2.0?Å resolution, are reported. The structure of TNKS1 in complex with PJ34 reveals two molecules of PJ34 bound in the NAD(+) donor pocket. One molecule is in the nicotinamide portion of the pocket, as previously observed in other PARP structures, while the second molecule is bound in the adenosine portion of the pocket. Additionally, unlike the unliganded crystallization (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Shareholder group Ethos called for Novartis investors to vote against re-electing board members who were among those deciding on the pay awarded to the Swiss drugmaker's chairman, Daniel Vasella. The call is part of an attack on Vasella for "earning a million Swiss francs a month, which goes too far," Ethos director Dominique Biedermann told journalists in Zurich. Vasella's pay rose to 13.5 million Swiss francs ($14.8 million) in 2011, when Novartis' profit fell 7 percent, from roughly 12 (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor kinase that is overexpressed in many types of tumors and plays a key role in cell adhesion, spreading, motility, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and survival. Recently, FAK has been proposed as a target for cancer therapy, and we performed computer modeling and screening of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) small molecule compounds database to target the ATP-binding site of FAK, K454. More than 140,000 small molecule compounds were (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 A sterile active ingredient plant and a sterile finished dosage filling plant both comprise very complex production processes and systems. The sterility of the final product cannot be assured solely by sterility testing, in-process controls, environmental monitoring of cleanrooms, and media fill validations. Based on more than 15 years experience, 4 years ago the authors created a new but very simple approach to the risk analysis of sterile plants. This approach is not a failure mode and (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 PURPOSE: Midostaurin (PKC412) is a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (FLT3), c-KIT, and other receptors. Midostaurin is active in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and systemic mastocytosis. Although no substantive risk for cardiac abnormalities has been observed with midostaurin in clinical studies thus far, some TKIs have been shown to affect cardiac repolarization. Here we evaluated midostaurin's effect on cardiac (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 In November 2011, ruxolitinib (Jakafi; Incyte/Novartis), a small-molecule inhibitor of Janus kinases, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythaemia vera myelofibrosis and post-essential thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis. |-| Nat Rev Drug Discov. |-| Mesa RA, Yasothan U, Kirkpatrick P. |-| Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 PDA J Pharm Sci Technol. |-| Gray JC. |-| Novartis Pharma Stein AG PharmOps CH QA/QC PU SolidsWST-110.E.514CH-4332 Steinjennifer.gray@novartis.com. text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 CONFERENCE PROCEEDING Proceedings of the PDA/FDA Adventitious Viruses in Biologics: Detection and Mitigation Strategies Workshop in Bethesda, MD, USA; December 1-3, 2010 Guest Editors: Arifa Khan (Bethesda, MD), Patricia Hughes (Bethesda, MD) and Michael Wiebe (San Francisco, CA) For decades conventional tests in cell cultures and in laboratory animals have served as standard methods for broad-spectrum screening for adventitious viruses. New virus detection methods based on molecular biology (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The kinetics of the ligand-receptor interaction is an important feature in lead optimization for new drug candidates. The protocol described in this unit is a kinetic radioligand competition binding assay that makes possible the determination of both the association and dissociation rates of unlabeled receptor ligands. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 50:9.14.1-9.14.30. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |-| Curr Protoc Pharmacol. |-| Sykes DA, Dowling MR, Charlton SJ. |-| Novartis Institutes for (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 An effective protein-based vaccine for tuberculosis will require a safe and effective adjuvant. There are few adjuvants in approved human vaccines, including alum and the oil-in-water-based emulsions MF59 (Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics), AS03 and AS04 (GlaxoSmithKline Biologics), AF03 (Sanofi), and liposomes (Crucell). When used with pure, defined proteins, both alum and emulsion adjuvants are effective at inducing primarily humoral responses. One of the newest adjuvants in approved (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Parathyroid hormone (PTH), currently the only marketed anabolic treatment for osteoporosis, is available as the full-length hormone, human PTH1-84, or as the human PTH1-34 fragment (teriparatide). Both must be administered as a daily subcutaneous (sc) injection. A new oral formulation of human PTH1-34 (PTH134) is being developed as a more convenient option for patients. In this single-center, partially-blinded, incomplete cross-over study, the safety, tolerability, and exposure of oral PTH134 (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The development of a fully telescoped synthesis of a derivative of androstadiene C-17 esters made from epoxyparamethasone was demonstrated. This streamlining allowed for the elimination of isolation and solvent change after each synthetic step. Thus it not only drastically reduced the solvent waste, but also minimized the potential exposure to highly active intermediates thereby increasing the overall yield. The intuitively obvious advantage inherent to lowering the number of solvents was (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The identification of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) structures that can generate broadly neutralizing antibodies (BNAbs) is pivotal to the development of a successful vaccine against HIV-1 aimed at eliciting effective humoral immune responses. To that end, the production of novel Env structure(s) that might induce BNAbs by presentation of conserved epitopes, which are otherwise occluded, is critical. Here, we focus on a structure that stabilizes Env in a conformation representative of its (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 We propose an experimental strategy for highly accurate selection of bacterial vaccines without using in vitro and/or in vivo protection assays. Starting from the observation that efficacious vaccines are constituted by conserved, surface-associated and/or secreted components, the strategy contemplates the parallel application of three high throughput technologies, i.e., mass spectrometry-based proteomics, protein array and flow-cytometry analysis, to identify this category of proteins, and is (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes, choroidal neovascular complex status, and adverse events in patients with visually significant cataract and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who had cataract surgery. SETTING: Private practices, Beverly Hills, California, and New London, Connecticut, USA. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the medical records of patients with neovascular AMD treated by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Class I Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a central role in controlling cell cycle regulation, cell differentiation, and tissue development. These enzymes exert their function by deacetylating histones and a growing number of non-histone proteins, thereby regulating gene expression and several other cellular processes. Class I HDACs comprise four members: HDAC1, 2, 3, and 8. Deletion and/or overexpression of these enzymes in mammalian systems has provided important insights about their (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Preclinical stages in the drug discovery process require a multitude of biochemical and genetic assays in order to characterize the effects of drug candidates on cellular systems and model organisms. Early attempts to apply unbiased proteomic techniques to the identification of protein targets and off-targets as well as to elucidate the mode of action of candidate drug molecules suffered from a striking discrepancy between scientific expectations and what the technology was able to deliver at (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Children who take a common drug for attention deficit disorder should be warned about the risk of suicidal thoughts, U.S. pediatric health advisers said on Monday. Several members of an advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration asked the agency to change the label for Focalin, an attention deficit medicine made by Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG, to reflect this risk. The drug is approved for children aged 6 or older. The FDA often follows the advice of its committees, although it is (…) text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 United States Patent: 8105332 |-| Title: Lens delivery system |-| Inventors: Downer; David A. (Fort Worth, TX), Yan; Dengzhu (Arlington, TX) |-| Assignee: Novartis AG (Basel, CH) |-| A lens delivery system handpiece having a threaded plunger rod with a ball lock ring. Locking the ring causes the plunger to be advanced by turning a thumbscrew or knob. Unlocking the ring allows the plunger to be advanced by pushing on the thumbscrew or knob in a manner similar to a syringe. text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 United States Patent: 8105587 |-| Title: Methods of treating arthritis using IL-1.beta. binding molecules |-| Inventors: Lowe; Phil (Basel, CH), Gram; Hermann (Weil am Rhein, DE), Jung; Thomas (Vienna, AU), Wright; Timothy (Swampscott, MA), Mundel; Trevor (Carlisle, MA) |-| Assignee: Novartis AG (Basel, CH) Novartis Pharma GmbH (Vienna, AT) |-| This invention relates to methods employing IL-1.beta.-ligand/IL-1 receptor disrupting compounds (herein referred to as "IL-1beta Compounds"); such as (…) text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 United States Patent: 8106081 |-| Title: Combination of organic compounds useful for treating diabetes |-| Inventors: Allison; Malcolm (Basel, CH), Gatlin; Marjorie R (Maplewood, NJ) |-| Assignee: Novartis AG (Basel, CH) |-| The present invention relates to a combination, especially a pharmaceutical composition, comprising as active ingredients (i) an AT.sub.1-receptor antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (ii) (a) an insulin secretion enhancer or a pharmaceutically (…) text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 United States Patent: 8105378 |-| Title: Ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials containing an alkyl ethoxylate |-| Inventors: Laredo; Water R. (Fort Worth, TX) |-| Assignee: Novartis AG (Basel, CH) |-| Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials. The materials contain a functionalized alkyl ethoxylate to reduce glistenings. text/html http://www.uspto.gov/ USPTO http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 United States Patent: 8105612 |-| Title: Serum resistance factors of gram positive bacteria |-| Inventors: Soriani; Marco (Siena, IT), Santi; Isabella (Siena, IT) |-| Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. (Emeryville, CA) |-| A newly identified serum resistance factor of gram positive bacteria can be used to treat or prevent bacterial infection. text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Novartis in Lincoln reduced it's temporary employee workforce by 160 people. Novartis released the information through a statement Saturday. It did not say when the employees were notified and Novartis did not explain why the workers were released. However, the plant in Lincoln shut down in the end of December after a problem caused powerful prescription pain pills to get mixed up with over-the-counter drugs. Novartis voluntarily recalled bottles of Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X and No-Doz. text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Compounds belonging to several scaffolds-quinazolines, quinolines and quinoxalines-were designed and synthesized as Raf kinase inhibitors. Scaffolds were assessed for in vitro Braf(V600E) inhibition, and overall kinase selectivity. Pharmacokinetic parameters for one of the scaffolds were also determined. |-| Bioorg Med Chem Lett. |-| Ramurthy S, Costales A, Jansen JM, Levine B, Renhowe PA, Shafer CM, Subramanian S. |-| Global Discovery Chemistry/Oncology & Exploratory Chemistry, Novartis (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of POAF on both short- and long-term mortality following isolated CABG. HYPOTHESIS: POAF is associated with a poorer short and long-term mortality following CABG. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative and operative data of 6728 consecutive patients undergoing a first isolated CABG. RESULTS: The (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The integration of host genetics, environmental triggers and the microbiota is a recognised factor in the pathogenesis of barrier function diseases such as IBD. In order to determine how these factors interact to regulate the host immune response and ecological succession of the colon tissue-associated microbiota, we investigated the temporal interaction between the microbiota and the host following disruption of the colonic epithelial barrier. |-| PLoS One. |-| Smith P, Siddharth J, Pearson (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Generation of gain-of-function transgenic mice by targeting the Rosa26 locus has been established as an alternative to classical transgenic mice produced by pronuclear microinjection. However, targeting transgenes to the endogenous Rosa26 promoter results in moderate ubiquitous expression and is not suitable for high expression levels. Therefore, we now generated a modified Rosa26 (modRosa26) locus that combines efficient targeted transgenesis using recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 BACKGROUND: This Phase IV study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a two-dose, MF59()-adjuvanted (Novartis Vaccines, Marburg, Germany), monovalent, A/H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccination schedule in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive children and young adults. METHODS: A total of 83 children infected with HIV-1, and 37 non-immunocompromised, age-matched controls were enrolled. All participants received two vaccine doses administered three weeks apart. Antibody responses were (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Wet media milling is an established technique for the commercialized top-down production of nanoparticulate drug suspensions. These drug nanosuspensions can be transferred into the related drug products, like capsules, tablets and injectables. The generation of wear during stirred media milling of a drug compound was investigated for grinding media made from yttrium stabilized zirconia. Drug compound and drug nanosuspension were characterized initially by their mechanical and rheological (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 An early role of amyloid-? peptide (A?) aggregation in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is well established. However, the contribution of intracellular or extracellular forms of A? to the neurodegenerative process is a subject of considerable debate. We here describe transgenic mice expressing A?(1-40) (APP47) and A?(1-42) (APP48) with a cleaved signal sequence to insert both peptides during synthesis into the endoplasmic reticulum. Although lower in transgene mRNA, APP48 mice reach a (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Objective: NVA237 (glycopyrronium bromide) is a once-daily longacting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of NVA237 following single and repeated once-daily inhalation in mild-tomoderate COPD patients. Methods: In this double-blind, parallel-group study, COPD patients were randomized to a 14-day treatment with NVA237 (25, 50, 100 or 200 ?g) or placebo. Plasma (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 J Biopharm Stat. |-| Mietlowski W. |-| a Novartis Pharmaceuticals , East Hanover , New Jersey. text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 These preclinical studies aimed to (1) increase our understanding the dietary induction of NASH, and, (2) further explore the utility and mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism in treating NASH. We compared the effects of a high trans-fat (HTF) or high lard fat (HLF) diet on key facets of NAFLD/NASH in Lep(ob)/Lep(ob) and C57BL6J (B6) mice. Although HLF-fed mice experienced overall greater gains in weight and adiposity, the addition of trans-fat better mirrored pathophysiologic features (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Influenza vaccine preparations have been administered to humans since the late 1930s, ( 1) and the diversity of approaches in licensed trivalent seasonal or monovalent pandemic products is unparalleled by vaccines against any other target.  These approaches include inactivated whole virus vaccines; detergent or solvent "split" vaccines; subunit vaccines; live attenuated vaccines; adjuvanted vaccines; intramuscular, intradermal, and intranasal vaccines; egg-produced vaccines; and mammalian (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Abstract Radiolabeling of pharmaceutical inhalation aerosols began in the late 1970s. Since then, well over 100 studies have been published. These studies have documented lung deposition for all inhalation dosage forms; pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), soft mist inhalers (SMIs), and nebulizers. They have provided valuable insight into the factors that influence total and regional lung deposition. Taken globally, this collection of data has recently been (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 The field of bacterial natural product research is currently undergoing a paradigm change concerning the discovery of natural products. Previously most efforts were based on isolation of the most abundant compound in an extract, or on tracking bioactivity. However, traditional activity-guided approaches are limited by the available test panels and frequently lead to the rediscovery of already known compounds. The constantly increasing availability of bacterial genome sequences provides the (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 OBJECTIVE: In animals, the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren showed extensive tissue binding in the kidney and long-lasting renal effects. Aliskiren provides prolonged blood pressure-lowering effects following treatment discontinuation in patients. Therefore, we investigated whether aliskiren attains tissue concentrations sufficient to inhibit local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity in patients. METHODS: We included 10 hypertensive patients with abdominal adiposity in an open-label (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 A highly enantioselective chiral Brønsted acid catalyzed propargylation of aldehydes with allenylboronate is described. The reaction is shown to be practical and quite general with a broad substrate scope covering aryl, polyaryl, heteroaryl, ?,?-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes. |-| Org Lett. |-| Reddy LR. |-| Chemical and Analytical Development, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936, United States. text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Group B Streptococcus pili are covalently linked structures assembled via a sortase-catalyzed transpeptidation mechanism involving specific residues and motifs. A sequence element containing a conserved glutamic acid, called the E-box, has been described to be involved in pilus formation. Although it is known that the glutamic acid is involved in stabilizing the internal isopeptide bonds, its role in pilus assembly still needs to be investigated. Using site-specific mutagenesis and (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Mycophenolic acid (MPA) dose is frequently reduced in tacrolimus-treated kidney transplant patients, but alternatively the recommended MPA dose can be maintained with reduced tacrolimus exposure. In a 6-month, multicenter, randomized, openlabel study, maintenance kidney transplant patients receiving MPA (mycophenolate mofetil 1g/d or enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) 720 mg/d) and tacrolimus were randomized to convert to EC-MPS 1,440 mg/d with reduced tacrolimus (n = 46), or receive (…) text/html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov NCBI PubMed http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 BACKGROUND: Effective glycoconjugate vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y have been developed, but serogroup B remains a major cause of severe invasive disease in infants and adolescents worldwide. We assessed immunogenicity and tolerability of a four-component vaccine (4CMenB) in adolescents. METHODS: We did a randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, study at 12 sites in Santiago and Valparaíso, Chile. Adolescents aged 11-17 years received one, two, or (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Roche Holding AG's rivals Sanofi SA and Novartis AG see no need to match the Swiss drug maker in buying a gene-decoding business like Illumina Inc and reckon they can do partnerships instead. The relaxed attitude in the face of Roche's $5.7 billion hostile bid for Illumina suggests the chance of a counterbid from big drug makers is slim, although diagnostics and IT companies may yet show interest. "Everybody is thinking about diagnostics but you can get access to this technology without (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 SUMMIT, N.J. and BEDFORD, Mass.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) and Avila Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company developing targeted covalent drugs that treat diseases through protein silencing, today announced a definitive merger agreement under which Celgene Corporation will acquire Avila Therapeutics, Inc. The acquisition positions Celgene to expand its leading role in the future treatment of hematologic cancers with Avila s AVL-292, a (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 EAST HANOVER, N.J., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) and Sanford Wittels & Heisler, LLP, Counsel to the Plaintiffs and the Class, today announced an agreement to resolve the nationwide Wage and Hour class action against NPC currently pending in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. NPC has agreed to end the ongoing proceedings and provide a payment of up to 99 million dollars for eligible class members. This settlement (…) text/html http://www.biospace.com BioSpace http://www.lsis.com/channels/?query=94 Health regulators said drugmakers Celgene Corp and Novartis AG misrepresented their cancer drugs to doctors, overstating how well the medicines targeted tumors without having evidence to support it. The complaints concern Celgene's breast cancer drug Abraxane and Novartis's cancer drug Gleevec. The Food and Drug Administration posted separate letters to each company on its website on Wednesday, asking them to stop using advertising that violates FDA guidelines. The FDA inspects companies' (…)