Pharma Roundup: Roche Acknowledges Genentech "Fear," GSK Cuts Ads, and More

Roche exec addresses Genentech "fears" -- In an address to investors, Roche CFO Erich Hunziker acknowledged fears that Roche's purchase of Genentech will decimate the acquired company, ominously adding that "the cuts we will do at the Roche side are much tougher that what we will do at the Genentech side." The big news from today's announcement was Hunziker's promise that the deal remains on track; BNET's Jim Edwards has the full story. [Source: Pharma's Market]

GlaxoSmithKline cuts direct-to-consumer TV advertising -- CEO Andrew Witty told the Wall Street Journal that GSK will "do less" on television than it used to, discussing the company's desire to save money, but also the danger of alienating consumers who generally do not trust DTC ads. [Source: FiercePharma]

Abbott invests further in medical devices -- Abbott Labs will purchase Advanced Medical Optics, a leader in LASIK eye surgery technology, in a deal worth $2.8 billion. [Source: WSJ Health Blog]

An entertaining read -- Check out Derek Lowe's take on an editorial by Deepak Chopra and two others. The editorial, published in the Wall Street Journal, pushes a host of alternative therapies, including botanical medicines, in lieu of traditional pharmaceuticals. [Source: In the Pipeline]