Finding a drug that can re-educate the body's confusion in lupus has proven a puzzler for biotech firms for years, and opinion is divided on which companies might be getting close to a fix for the devilish disease. Is there a way to teach the immune system the difference it once knew between foreign antigens and its own? (BioWorld Financial Watch)

Aptamer-focused Archemix Inc. added to a deal spree that tapered at the start of the year, and found two nice fits overseas, including a cancer pact worth $29.8 million in up-front equity from Merck KGaA, plus an option to buy more stock when the firm goes public.