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UBS Global Life Sciences Conference Opens in New York

The UBS Global Life Sciences Conference opens today at the Grand Hyatt in New York City and runs through Thursday, September 28. The Conference will feature presentations by more than 340 public and private companies representing biotechnology, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceuticals and specialty pharmaceutical.

The annual UBS Global Life Sciences Conference is among the largest health care investor conferences in the world. Senior executives from the leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies will provide their insight and outlook on the global life sciences industry. More than 3,500 people are expected to attend.

Amgen (AMGN): FDA Approves Vectibix to Treat Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

First Entirely Human Anti-EGFr Antibody Approved by the FDA and Amgen’s First Targeted Cancer Therapeutic

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vectibix? (panitumumab) following priority review. Vectibix is the first entirely human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor- (EGFr) expressing metastatic colorectal cancer after disease progression on, or following fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan- containing chemotherapy regimens.

AstraZeneca Opens Its First Clinical Pharmacology Unit in the US

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) today officially opened its first US-based Clinical Pharmacology Unit (CPU) at the University of Pennsylvania Health Care System's Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The opening of this new CPU represents a significant investment in research capabilities in the Delaware Valley.

J&J Unit, Ortho-McNeil Extends Research Deal with Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) said hat Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. exercised its option to extend the research term for one additional year under the provisions of its partnership with Arena to develop compounds targeting the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Receptor, or GDIR.

FDA Approves a New Drug for Colorectal Cancer, Vectibix

Vectibix, a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR on some cancer cells, received an accelerated approval after showing effectiveness in slowing tumor growth and, in some cases, reducing the size of the tumor.

UnitedHealth Group "UNH agrees to acquire Arnett Health Plans" (Buy 2) Lake

Link: http://research.ibb.ubs.com:80/servlet/SrchDoc?wireid=uez25348
Author: Justin Lake, CFA

Adeza Biomedical "Update from UBS Life Sciences Conference" (Buy 1) Ulrich

Link: http://research.ibb.ubs.com:80/servlet/SrchDoc?wireid=uez25460
Author: Benner Ulrich

Remicade - J&J arthritis drug approved for psoriasis

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said U.S. regulators had approved use of the company's Remicade arthritis drug to treat severe adult psoriasis, raised skin lesions caused by inflammation.

European Court of First Instance (CFI): Commission must revisit its competition ruling against GSK

The EU's second-highest court has partly annulled a European Commission decision from 2001 that banned GlaxoSmithKline from selling its medicines to different wholesalers at different prices. The European Court of First Instance (CFI) said the Commission must revisit its competition ruling against the UK pharmaceutical giant, which decided GSK had impeded the cost of medicines from falling in the EU.

Millennium Outbids Genzyme For AnorMed

Millennium Pharmaceuticals has outbid Genzyme Corp. to acquire AnorMed, offering $515 million for the biotech firm.