OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company developing novel therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells, today announced it has expanded its collaboration with Bayer HealthCare. Bayer’s U.S. affiliate will manufacture clinical supplies of a second Wnt inhibitor in the alliance.

Merck & Co., Inc. said a state court jury in New Jersey found in its favor in the Rosenberg v. Merck case, rejecting the claims of a woman who blamed her dental and jaw related problems on her FOSAMAX use.

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation and Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the two companies have entered into a research and development agreement to discover and develop boron-based small molecule compounds directed against a target for the potential treatment of acne.

GlaxoSmithKline plc announces that it has sold its entire holding of 30,755,151 shares of common stock in Quest Diagnostics Inc. (“Quest”).  The sale comprised a secondary public offering by GSK (the “Offering”) and an accompanying repurchase of shares by Quest (the “Repurchase”).  GSK originally acquired the shareholding as partial consideration for the sale of its clinical laboratories business in 1999 and has since gradually reduced its stake in stages.

Merck known outside the United States and Canada as MSD and PAREXEL International Corporation, a leading global biopharmaceutical services provider, today announced that they have entered into an alliance by which PAREXEL will provide strategic access to global clinical development services for designated biosimilar candidates to Merck BioVentures.  Merck BioVentures, a division of Merck, is focused on the delivery of high quality biosimilars to the patients that need them.

Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. announced that based on remediation efforts to date, it does not expect to commence the manufacture and distribution of products from its Detroit facility by the end of Caraco's Fiscal Year 2011, ending March 31, 2011. The Company had previously disclosed its belief that two products would commence manufacture in the Detroit facility prior to the end of Fiscal 2011.

Abbott Park, Illinois and Copenhagen, Denmark — EpiTherapeutics and Abbott announced a collaboration agreement to develop new anti-cancer drugs by making small-molecule inhibitors against selected epigenetic oncology targets. Under the terms of the agreement EpiTherapeutics receives an up-front payment and will receive funding of research activities at EpiTherapeutics. Further, EpiTherapeutics is eligible, under certain conditions, to receive milestone payments as well as potential royalties on future revenues. Additional financial details were not disclosed.

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.and Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.announced that King has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for ACUROX® Tablets to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including a request for priority review classification.

Pfizer Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Parker Tennessee Corp., has extended the expiration date of its tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.for $14.25 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon and subject to any required withholding taxes. 

Genzyme Corporation announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement under which Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. will acquire Genzyme’s Diagnostic products business for $265 million in cash.