The biggest news of the day was from Anadys Pharmaceuticals and Schering-Plough, both of which are presenting study results at EASL (European Association of the Study of the Liver)…let’s get to it:

EASL Roundup

• Anadys Pharmaceuticals said its HCV antiviral, ANA598, showed a median viral load reduction of greater than 2 log in all doses. The problem? Three healthy volunteers treated with ANA598 in a separate 14-day safety study developed a rash severe enough to cause them to discontinue treatment and drop out of the study. Shares tanked $2.38 (40.4%) to close at $3.51. [The Street]

• Schering-Plough also had data to release. A phase 2 study of protease inhibitor boceprevir demonstrated a sustained virologic response in 75% of patients. Unfortunately, boceprevir also comes with a catch: it caused anemia in 1/2 of the patients. [Reuters UK]

• Salix Pharmaceuticals also announced the presentation of new data from multiple analyses of its Phase III pivotal clinical trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rifaximin – a non-absorbed, gut selective antibiotic – in adult patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Salix will present full results this Saturday at EASL. [Yahoo!Finance]

Other News, Money and Drugs

• Maryland-based Sanaria has started a malaria vaccine trial. The attentuated vaccine, which is dervied from mosquito saliva, has already shown that recipients receive almost full protection against malaria (P. falciparum sporozoites) for at least 42 months. [New Scientist]

• AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s diabetes drug Onglyza (saxagliptin) had its PDUFA date pushed back from from April 30 to July 30. What else is new, FDA? [WSJ]

• Pfizer CEO Jeff Kindler defended a dividend cut to shareholders today, saying it will help finance the Wyeth deal. [Bloomberg]

• Jennifer Lopez is Sanofi’s new spokesperson for pertussis! [UPI]

• NicOx licensed NitroMed’s patent estate covering nitric oxide based technology for $3M upfront. [EarthTimes]

• Finally, Acorda Therapeutics resubmitted its NDA for Fampridine-SR sending the stock up $3.55 (19%) to close at $21.89 for the day. The company received a refuse-to-file from the FDA last month. [Reuters]

Image from insulinresistance

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