Pharma Roundup: Sanofi Axes Reps, Glaxo Fights Patent Office, and More

(MoneyWatch)  650 Sanofi-Aventis sales reps face layoffs -- Actually, the company hasn't released a firm number, but they've said no more than 10 percent of the sales representatives will be affected, and there are currently about 6,500 reps. [Source: Pharmalot]

Glaxo fights patent reform in court -- Last year, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office enacted new rules in an effort to speed up the patent application process, but GlaxoSmithKline maintains that the changes discourage risk-taking in R&D. GSK has received memoranda of support from pharma firm Elan, as well as GE and Monsanto. [Source: WSJ Health Blog]

Demands of FDA delay Roche's upcoming Actemra -- The agency has asked for further evidence of the arthritis drug's safety; Roche won't be able to sell the drug until 2010. The estimated cost in lost profits runs into the billions. [Source: FiercePharma]

Deerfield may attempt to purchase Nitromed -- Deerfield currently owns 12% of Nitromed and apparently wasn't pleased with Archemix's plan to buy the company in lieu of an IPO. Looks like Deerfield may just buy all of Nitromed for itself. [Source: In Vivo]