FDAnews Drug Daily Bulletin

The Canadian government is considering regulations that would restrict the flow of prescription drugs to American consumers - a potential move that is drawing fire on both sides of the border.

Only a handful of the millions of eligible residents have taken advantage of the country's first state-sponsored prescription drug importation program.

The biotech market is expected to enjoy a strong 2005 driven by increased collaboration from large pharmaceutical firms, as well as developing trends in pharmacogenomics and theranostics, according to a research report published by life sciences merchant bank Burrill & Company.

The FDA issued a proposed rule Jan. 5 to amend the tentative final monograph (TFM) for OTC drugs that are used to relieve symptoms associated with overindulgence of food and drink to include new indications for products containing bismuth subsalicylate.

Jupiter Bioscience has entered into a general cooperation agreement with a Clariant Pharmaceutical Fine Chemicals of Germany.

Nautilus Biotech a protein pharmaceuticals private company and Angel Biotechnology a UK private company providing world-class contract manufacturing services in microbial fermentation and mammalian cell culture, announced today that they have signed an agreement for the manufacture of Nautilus' improved alpha interferon (Belerofon) for Phase I clinical development.

Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc., an anti-cancer drug-discovery company, has announced a collaborative deal with a partner to identify new drugs using the company's collection of compounds.

Biophan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: BIPH -- News), a developer of next-generation biomedical technology, today provided more details on its acquisition of AMRIS, a German company that designs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible stents and other medical devices, as reported today in The New York Times.

Isis Pharmaceuticals on Monday said it is cutting its work force by about 40 percent as part of a move to reduce costs and focus on developing its most advanced experimental drugs and technology.

An $80 million class-action settlement is being held up over a single objection by a Tennessee woman.

KV Pharmaceutical announced today that it has entered into agreements with Representaciones E Investigaciones Medica for the granting of licensing rights in Mexico for KV's two single dose prescription vaginal cream products, U.S. market leader Gynazole-1 and the recently FDA-approved Clindesse.

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has extended its research collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development through the end of 2005.