Mpex in pact with GSK; Biogen favored in Icahn spat; Maxygen shares slide on threatened patent dispute;

> Mpex has inked a collaboration deal with GlaxoSmithKline. The collaboration provides GlaxoSmithKline access to Mpex's novel efflux pump inhibitors and related technology for use in combination with a variety of antibiotics. Mpex will receive an $8.5 million upfront payment and a $6.5 million equity financing commitment from GlaxoSmithKline. Contingent on achieving certain milestones, Mpex is eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestones ranging up to $200 to $250 million for each product candidate. Release

> With three proxy advisory firms backing Biogen Idec against Carl Icahn, analysts say the biotech company should prevail in the disputed battle for board domination. The decision will determine whether Biogen remains independent or goes back on the auction block. The annual meeting is June 19. Report

> Shares of Maxygen slid 28 percent on Friday on investors' fears that the company may be sued by Amgen for patent infringement. Report

> SkyePharma announced this morning that the approval of GSK's Requip XL Parkinson's relief drug will provide a new stream of royalties for the company. Report

> MorphoSys announced that OncoMed Pharmaceuticals has triggered its option to extend the current license agreement between the two companies and has initiated two therapeutic antibody development programs targeting cancer stem cells. Release

> India's Jupiter Biosciences has forged a licensing deal with California-based GI Logics for developing and marketing Diamox, a product that targets H pylori bacteria. Story

> Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Biotechnology Industry Organization will present the ninth annual Biotechnology Heritage Award to Henri A. Termeer, chairman, president and CEO of Genzyme Corporation. Release

> Is what's good for pharma good for its regulators, too? As we all know, Big Pharma's outsourcing of active ingredients and manufacturing has caused a big bout of hand-wringing on the governmental side as FDA has struggled to keep up--and largely failed. The Bush administration has been pushing a plan to expand private inspections to drugs and other imports. Report

> And you thought the odds on new-drug approvals at the FDA were bad. Generics get the thumbs-down 96 percent of the time, according to a new report from the Inspector General. Generics report

> Can Shire weather the upcoming loss of Adderall XR to the off-patent wildnerness? Report

> In the investment world, the proposed Daiichi Sankyo-Ranbaxy Laboratories merger is just another big deal. But in India, it's taken on symbolic significance. Report

> GlaxoSmithKline is tops at getting medicines into the hands of the poor, a new report shows. At No. 3, Merck is the only U.S. company to make the top seven. No Japanese companies made the list, and generics makers ranked close to the bottom of the top 20. GSK report

And Finally... BIO chief James Greenwood talked legislative strategy in the lead-up to the San Diego meeting. At the top of the list: Funding for the FDA and the NIH and generics manufacturing rules. Report