Vertex wins $12M in tax breaks for Boston HQ; Appeals court raises bar on patent challenges;

@FiercePharma: Vertex to field small, specialized sales force on Incivek. Item | Follow @FiercePharma

Vertex Pharmaceuticals' $1 billion plan to build a new Boston headquarters cleared its final hurdle as the city council supported $12 million in tax breaks--just two days after the drugmaker won FDA approval of its promising hepatitis C treatment. Report

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have debated Republican proposals to reduce the FDA's budget by 11.5 percent in fiscal 2012. News

A U.S. appeals court that specializes in patent disputes made it harder for patents to be declared invalid because of gaps or errors in patent applications. Article

Several environment and health-advocacy groups are suing the FDA to ban the widespread use of two antibiotics in animal feed to treat livestock. Item

JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals plans to focus on its contract research and manufacturing business to build its position in the fast-growing sector, a senior official said, after JB sold its over-the-counter brands in Russia. Report

Health authorities in Germany granted regulatory approval for GW Pharmaceuticals' Sativex to be used for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. News

UBS downgraded chemicals and pharmaceuticals group Bayer to neutral from buy, citing valuation. Piece

A U.S. appeals court ruled that a lower court was wrong to declare an Abbott Laboratories patent unenforceable, and sent the case back to the lower court. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Pfizer investigator questions cause of deaths in tofacitinib trial. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: The $1B federal Therapeutic Disc Program was a big hit with thousands of biotechs - now there's a new bill to add $7B more through 2017. Follow @JohnCFierce

Genentech scientists blaze a trail into the brain for antibodies. Story

Will lawmakers double down on popular R&D awards? News

Pfizer turns to CROs as it upends huge R&D operation. Story

Keeping score: U.S. brainpower draws biotech R&D stateside. Report

J&J lays out blockbuster R&D strategy, plans for 11 new meds. Item

Vaccines News

A look at HIV/AIDS vaccines in development. Story

Prima BioMed to raise cash for ovarian cancer vaccine trial. News

Systems biology key to vaccine breakthroughs? Report

WHO: Smallpox vials around until at least 2014. Article

Profectus immunizes first patient in Ph1 HIV vax trial. Item

Manufacturing News

Cargo theft report puts pharma in 10th place. Story

Pharma among NJ networks to seek info on employer skill needs. Item

More wastewater treatment to keep drugs out of food. Report

CMO Gallus taps Xcellerex for single-use capacity. Article

Skills upgrade pulls manufacturing westward. Story

CMOs boost R&D companies to top of efficiency ratings. News

And Finally... Does aspirin help healthy people live longer? Despite a lot of excitement about the common drug, scientists can't seem to agree. Report