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Cell Genesys Inc. has ended its clinical trials of its advanced-stage prostate cancer treatment after it saw increased death rates compared with another regimen. The news nearly wiped out stockholders, with Cell Genesys shares down 68% to 90 cents in recent premarket trading. Cell Genesys' GVAX immunotherapy - which was in the second of two Phase III trials known as Vital-2 - combined with cancer drug Taxotere was being compared with the combined treatment of Taxotere and prednisone, but of the 408 enrolled patients, 67 on GVAX died compared to 47 on the Taxotere plan.

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Drug stocks dipped in early action Wednesday as shares of Cell Genesys dived on news that it was discontinuing a key clinical trial for its prostate cancer therapy GVAX due to safety concerns. The Amex Pharmaceutical Index eased 0.4% to 308.9 and the Amex Biotechnology Index fell 1% to 829.5. Cell Genesys shares sank 75% to 71 cents. Cell Genesys said Wednesday it was terminating a Phase III clinical trial for GVAX after researchers observed a higher than expected death rate amongst GVAX users. The company added that it expects to adjust its business plan in response to the clinical trial termination.

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Shares of biotech group Amylin Pharmaceuticals tumbled in pre-market trading Wednesday, the day after it announced that four more deaths have been reported amongst users of its diabetes drug Byetta. The news comes on the heels of last week's revelation that two users of Byetta had died from complications of pancreatitis, a severe inflammation of the pancreas. Byetta, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, already carries a warning on its label that has been associated with pancreatitis in some users. Amylin noted that diabetics in general also run a notably higher risk of developing pancreatitis than the general population. Amylin markets Byetta with Eli Lilly & Co. , shares of which were down about 1% at $47.02.

August 2008-Today, the Census Bureau released the latest data on the number of Americans without health insurance. The number of uninsured individuals fell to 45.7 million in 2007 from 47.0 million in... [WebWire - Wednesday, August 27, 2008]

Drug stocks dip in early action Wednesday as shares of Cell Genesys dive on news that it is discontinuing a key clinical trial for its prostate cancer therapy GVAX due to safety concerns.

Vitamin D is the key to preventing rickets and osteoporosis, but Rockefeller University scientists suspect it may also play a role in heading off atherosclerosis in people with chronic kidney disease.... [WebWire - Wednesday, August 27, 2008]

- McGill and MUHC research program to enrich lives of Montreal stroke survivors - - A new community-based program for people who have suffered strokes is being established in Montreal by McGill Univers... [WebWire - Wednesday, August 27, 2008]

DURHAM, N.C. - president Bush today named Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Duke University Medical Center, a recipient of the National Medal of Science for co... [WebWire - Wednesday, August 27, 2008]

Amylin Pharmaceutical shares took a serious hit Wednesday, the day after the biotech group said that it has received reports that four more users of its diabetes drug Byetta have died.

Israeli stocks fall, with weakness carrying over from the previous session, as the country's top banks, particularly Bank Leumi, lead the market lower.