Archive for January, 2009

San Diego Biotechnology Network’s February Event

Friday, January 30th, 2009

We got a little bit of a slow start in ‘09 due to the holidays. We’re announcing our February event, which will be similar to our November event, with a twist. We’d like to open up the “featured company” slot and a 15 minute presentation to any interested company. We understand this is short notice, and so if we don’t get any submissions, we’ll just have a garden variety networking event/happy hour. If we get several submissions, we’ll put it up for a vote. If you’d like to be the featured company, send us a short summary of your company and/or what you’d like to talk about by February 6th at http://sdbn.org/contact. Get great exposure in front of 100 high quality San Diego Biotech professionals!

As with our last meeting, we’d like to make sure that the number of scientists at the event is high, so we’ll ask that you sign up, then wait to receive confirmation and pay. Also, since we had a full house last time, we’re planning to extend the time frame to 5:30-9:30. So, if the event sells out, we’ll likely take onsite registrations beginning at 7:30. We’ll also make an effort to invite companies that are hiring, so if you’re looking for a job you’ll be able to connect with some companies.

Event Details (RSVP Required)
Who: Biotechnology professionals in the greater San Diego area and Featured Company (TBD)
What: San Diego Biotechnology Network November Happy Hour: Appetizers & Cash Bar
When: Tuesday, February 17th, 5:30-9:30
Where: Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, La Jolla, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Cost: $10
For more information about the event: http://sdbn.org, registration and confirmation required. Contact: Mary Canady, mcanady@comprendia.com

Registration Form

Abbott Laboratories Fires Sales Force Ready to Market Long-Acting Vicodin

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Jan. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Abbott Laboratories fired 200 sales representatives preparing to market a new abuse-resistant pain pill after the company stopped plans to introduce the drug this year, people familiar with the matter said.

Endo Pharmaceuticals and Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Conclude Research Collaboration

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

CHADDS FORD, Pa., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Endo Pharmaceuticals announced today that by mutual agreement it has concluded its research collaboration with Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop an inhaled fentanyl product for the treatment of breakthrough pain using Alexza's Staccato(R) inhalation technology. The product, Staccato(R) fentanyl (AZ-003/EN-3284), has completed Phase I clinical...

GenVec Inc. Reduces Costs to Preserve Capital, Lays Off 22 Employees

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq:GNVC) announced today that it is lowering its operating costs in order to increase the Companys efficiency, including eliminating 22 positions. These changes, effective immediately, reduce the Companys workforce to 101 positions, and have been made to lower the Companys expenses during this period of unfavorable economic conditions. The Company...

Roche Goes Hostile, Cuts Genentech, Inc. Bid to $42 Billion

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

BASEL, Switzerland, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche announced today that it intends to commence a cash tender offer for all outstanding publicly-held shares of Genentech at US$ 86.50 per share. Roche, which currently owns 55.8% of the Genentech outstanding shares, expects to commence the tender offer within approximately two weeks.

The offer replaces the public proposal made by Roche...

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cuts Jobs, Has Sufficient Cash Till Q2 2010

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA - News) announced today that it has consolidated its operations, with a primary focus on the continued rapid development of AZ-004 (Staccato loxapine). The restructuring includes a workforce reduction of 52 employees, representing approximately 33% of the Company's total workforce. In addition, Alexza...

Tyrian Diagnostics Restructures Operations to Complete Transition to Diagnostics Company; Total Headcount Reduced From 42 to 25 Since June 2008

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tyrian Diagnostics Limited (ASX:TDX - News) announced today the completion of initiatives to align its assets and organisational structure with its business objectives.

The Company has been streamlining and refining its operations over the past 18 months. In the final stage of the process carried out this week, the number of staff in the R & D and technology...

Mylan Inc. Receives FDA Approval for First-to-File Generic Depakote(R) ER

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL - News) today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Divalproex Sodium Extended-release (Divalproex ER) Tablets, 250 mg and 500 mg.

Mylan has been awarded 180 days of marketing exclusivity...

Permira Puts Sale of Germany’s Cognis On Hold

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
FRANKFURT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Buyout firm Permira will hold off on a sale of its stake in German specialty chemicals company Cognis until the economic crisis passes, the head of Permira's German operations was quoted saying in a newspaper published on Friday.

GlaxoSmithKline Notice of Full Year Financial Results Announcement

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On Thursday, February 5th, GlaxoSmithKline plc will announce its year end financial results for the year ended December 31, 2008. The announcement is scheduled for release to the London Stock Exchange at approximately 7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

At 9:00 AM EST Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, and Julian Heslop, Chief...