back at it...

A deal that was discussed earlier this year is back: Biogen's push to acquire Facet Biotech and the small biotech's promising pipeline of monoclonal antibodies. Biogen made what it is claiming is the final offer by upping the bid by $3 per share (a hefty increase when you add all the shares up). Biogen serves to benefit by adding some new compounds to its current pipeline of MS, RA, and cancer treatments, and they feel that Facet has no choice but to take the offer because of limited cash in the bank to fund its operations. As the two companies already work together on several compounds, it seems like a no brainer to Facet to take the bid and let its shareholders benefit from the increased bid from Biogen. I don't see Facet rejecting this one, grab a piece of Facet if you're interested.

Facet Pipeline

and..the letter to Facet's shareholders from Biogen

Biogen's Pipeline

Next, Astra-Zeneca released part 2 of its monumental JUPITER study and the results are no less groundbreaking this time around. This phase of the study focused on the benefits of Crestor in women, though not necessarily women with cardiovascular disease. The published results seem to indicate that taking Crestor not only significantly decreases the risk of cardiovascular events, but women taking the drug can experience a "cleaning out" of their arteries if plaque type build up is already present. Bottom line here: more good news for those pushing statin use, and even more positive publicity for Crestor.

Seeking Alpha reported on the study release here

Finally...everyone's heard of the proposed "botax" on cosmetic procedures. Well, two manufacturers of cosmetic treatments, Allergan and Medicis, are arguing against it. They both claim they are fighting on behalf of the patient, but doesn't that look a little strange coming from companies that stand to take a financial hit from decreased use of their products when taxes on the products' use are put on the consumer? I'm calling bs on that one.

See it here on Fierce Biotech