Replies to post #117122 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

NVS closes 80-person neuroscience R&D unit:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204319004577084732044094736.html

Novartis AG said it is shutting down a neuroscience research unit in Switzerland and retooling the way it approaches brain diseases, a field that many drug companies have found difficult to tackle.
The company will close the 80-person unit at company headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and scrap some of the group's research projects.

… Novartis is creating a new group at its main research center in Cambridge, Mass., to focus on the genetics of the brain, Dr. Fishman said. Over time the group will likely have "dozens" of scientists, he said.

Novartis wants to steer clear of research areas that offer the hope of only "incremental" change, he said, adding that the company would stop some Alzheimer's research for this reason.

[DewDiligence]

Lundbeck reports positive phase-2 results in AD for Lu AE58054 as addend to Aricept:

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/29/us-lundbeck-alzheimers-idINBRE84S0BE20120529

Danish drugmaker Lundbeck said patients who took its Alzheimer's drug candidate Lu AE58054 in a phase 2 clinical trial achieved statistically significant improvement in cognitive performance when the compound was added to donepezil.

Lundbeck said the clinical study in 278 patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease had achieved its main target and that Lu AE58054 was also well-tolerated in combination with donepezil.

Lundbeck’s shares in Copenhagen (LUN.CO) were up about 2% yesterday, when this news was reported.