Jobs
AZ to Slash 8,000 More Jobs; Glaxo Rumored to Follow Suit
Fourth quarter numbers are in, which can only mean one thing: It’s time for another round of layoff announcements. AstraZeneca is focusing on streamlining R&D, and fellow UK giant GSK is said to still be on the hunt for $2.7 billion in savings.

Biotech
Palpitations in the Heart of US Biotech
California’s biotech industry takes its own pulse in a new survey that tracks how the state is doing in serving as the nation’s medicine cabinet and avatar of drug innovation.

Financial
Wyeth Purchase Boosts Pfizer Profits
Pfizer’s strategy to use Wyeth’s drug pipeline to increase its sales has paid off as the drug giant announced that its fourth quarter earnings nearly doubled year-to-year. Too bad investors are running in fear of an ugly 2010 forecast.

Policy
Will Europe Remain Coy on Information to Patients?
EU member states—and many European drug firms—are happy to see draft legislation on information to the public about prescription drugs crumble to dust. Here’s why.

Strategy
A Few Words About Diversification
In reaction to a not-so-perfect storm, industry players have responded by diluting their reliance on the “little white pill” to embrace a hybrid model combining pharmaceuticals with diagnostics, a consumer health business, animal health, and even generics.

Pepscan Therapeutics named Peter Timmerman as chief technology officer and Klaus Schwamborn as chief development officer. // Trillium Therapeutics appointed Michael Gresser to its board of directors. // Cephalon promoted Kevin Buchi to COO, Wilco Groenhuysen to EVP and CFO, and Alain Aragues to EVP and president of Cephalon Europe. // YM BioSciences added Robert G.C. Watson, former chairman of Cytopia, to its board of directors. // Pearl Therapeutics promoted William Picht, Jr., to VP, finance and administration. // Resverlogix elected Arthur J. Higgins, CEO of Bayer HealthCare and chairman of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee, to the board. // Alnara Pharmaceuticals appointed Ashley Dombkowski to the board of directors. // Onyx Pharmaceuticals hired Ted W. Love as its new EVP and head of research and development. In addition, Michael Kauffman has been appointed chief medical officer. // David Pernock, current chairman of the board at Fibrocell Science, has been named CEO. // China Medicine Corporation added Ryan Shih to its board. // Nektar Therapeutics added R. Scott Greer to its board. //

March 17 Maximizing Return on Information: A Google Case Study
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 2:00 PM ET
Register Free at www.pharmexec.com/enterprise

Feb 8–9, 2010 3rd Annual Clinical Trial Forecasting and Budgeting, Philadelphia, PA

Feb 23 –25, 2010 BIO-Windhover/Pharmaceutical Strategic Outlook, New York, NY

April 12–14, 2010 19th Annual Partnerships in Clinical Trials, Orlando FL

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6th Annual Pharmaceutical/Biotech Accounting and Reporting Congress
March 16 - 17, 2010
Philadelphia, PA

The must-attend event for senior-level Finance, Accounting, Audit and Reporting professionals! Over 1,500 executives have attended this premier industry event since its inception. To view the full agenda or to receive more information, please visit www.cbinet.com/accounting.

“Probably the best conference for Pharma/Biotech accounting professionals out there! Top notch presenters and comprehensive review of most current finance/accounting hot topics.” – 2009 Attendee, Edward Stelmakh, Vice President Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis, Mylan

Another Boost for Vaccines

Shire Files Marketing Applications for Fabry and Gaucher Disease Drugs

Cephalon To Buy Swiss Drug Maker