Ischemic stroke - it's the category (the other is hemorrhagic) into which about 85 percent of all strokes fall. Blood suddenly stops going to a specific area of the brain because of a blood clot, thus "impairing neurologic function," as the physicians say. In plainer words, the patient might not be able to walk, talk or do much of anything else.

Favorable top-line data with its 28-day, Phase II trial of APD356, an oral drug for obesity, boosted Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s stock, and the company has plans in the works for a longer study. (BioWorld Today)

Positive interim Phase Ib data with VX-950, its oral protease inhibitor for hepatitis C, was enough to send Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. on an upward ride that left the company's shares 19.8 percent greater by the end of the day. (BioWorld Today)

With plans under way for pivotal trials with its oral heparinoid for diabetic neuropathy, KRX-101, Keryx Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported positive interim Phase II results - and watched Wall Street take value back from the stock, which had run up starting in late April. (BioWorld Today)

When Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. won approval of its second diabetes drug in as many months, Byetta (exenatide), the company's stock - rather than skyrocketing, as likely would have happened in the old days - fell 6 percent.

Vaccine partner GlaxoSmithKline plc plans to buy Corixa Corp. for $300 million in cash, paying $4.40 per share - a 48 percent premium to the closing price on April 28, the day before the deal was made public. (BioWorld Today)