In its largest deal to date, RNAi firm Silence Therapeutics plc is partnering with AstraZeneca plc in a potential £200 million (US$400 million) to develop drugs against respiratory disease targets. (BioWorld International)

Depomed Inc. noted a strangely high and persistent placebo effect in the Phase III blowup of its postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain tablet Gabapentin GR, but the explanation failed to appease investors, and Wall Street shaved 59.4 percent off the value of the stock (NASDAQ:DEPO), which closed Tuesday at $2, down $2.93. (BioWorld Today)