Almost a year after in-licensing the P-glycoprotein membrane inhibitor tariquidar from Xenova Group plc, QLT Inc. said it is starting two Phase III trials to explore the drug's use as an adjunct with first-line chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (BioWorld Today)

The world found out Wednesday who's been wooing Paris-based Genset SA, and it turned out to be Serono SA, which made a cash offer to buy Genset for €107.4 million. (BioWorld Today)

StressGen Biotechnologies Corp. found a partner for its lead drug to treat the human papilloma virus, nailing down a deal worth up to $204 million in milestone payments with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., which includes a $5 million equity investment and an undisclosed up-front payment on signing the deal. (BioWorld Today)

Say "Festo" to a member of the general public and he's likely to think of pasta, red wine and merriment. Say it to almost any of the competing parties in biotechnology, though, and your listener is likely to groan louder than the victim of a bad pun. (BioWorld Financial Watch)

Almost a year after netting its first collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S, TransTech Pharma Inc. has chalked up its second - this one a multiyear deal with Cephalon Inc. to discover and develop small molecules for as many as three therapeutic targets. (BioWorld Today)

Praecis Pharmaceuticals Inc., in the process of overcoming an FDA snag in its bid for Plenaxis as a prostate cancer treatment, revealed positive early data with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in a Phase II/III endometriosis study. (BioWorld Today)