> Archemix is gaining up to $10 million up front in fees and research funds in a new collaboration pact to develop aptamer cancer therapies with Germany's Merck KGaA. Archemix concentrates on aptamers, strings of nucleic acid that bind to proteins and disrupt the progression of disease. "This is the fourth major partnership we have formed over the past six months and is consistent with our strategy to enable partners to leverage aptamers as drugs on a target-by-target basis," Archemix chief executive Errol De Souza said in a statement. Release
> The FDA has approved Ventana Medical Systems' monoclonal antibody for assessing breast cancer patients' likelihood of responding to Herceptin. Report
> Nastech Pharmaceutical says it expects to raise $42.9 million through a public offering of 3.25 million shares. Release
> NiCox has gained a €5 million milestone from Merck for their work in the antihypertensive field. Release
> MGI has published Phase III data for Saforis, its treatment for the prevention of oral mucositis in patients receiving mucotoxic cancer therapy. Release
> Whatman has replaced CEO Bill Emhiser with Kieran Murphy after experiencing disappointing results. Report
> Researchers at the Roslin BioCentre in Scotland have advanced a program to use transgenic chickens to create new drugs for a variety of ailments. Report
> Abnormalities in the SORL1 gene have been linked to Alzheimer's in what is being billed as a major advance in understanding the origins of the memory-wasting disease. Report
And Finally... New research indicates that the blockbuster ED treatment sildenafil citrate may increase nasal congestion, impairing the ability to smell. Report