Among the army of acronyms that marches across the pages of biomedical research reports is PPAR, standing for "perixosome proliferator-activated receptor," which entered the limelight earlier this month as a result of a ruling from an outfit known by yet another acronym: the FDA. (BioWorld Financial Watch)

While DAC:GLP-1 hit its primary endpoint as a diabetes monotherapy in a Phase II trial that evaluated it in four doses, the drug's nausea and vomiting side effects sent ConjuChem's stock tumbling. (BioWorld Today)

For the second time in as many months, London-based Vernalis plc reached across the ocean for a major deal with a U.S. firm, entering this week an agreement worth up to $400 million with pain-drug specialist Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. focused on the migraine therapy Frova. (BioWorld Today)