Pharma Roundup: Merck's Gardasil Exec, Elan's Future, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Merck reassigns Gardasil exec to heart treatments -- Senior vice president Bev Lybrand will no longer oversee the HPV vaccine program she has led. Under her tenure, Gardasil launched to great success, but recently failed to secure a broader indication which would have boosted sales. Merck has apparently decided Lybrand is better at ushering new drugs to market; the company wants to reinvigorate its cardio division, and has tapped Lybrand to do it. [Source: FiercePharma]

Elan looks to merge, sell -- Troubled Elan is consulting with Citigroup Global Markets to chart a strategic course which may include "minority investment, [a] strategic alliance, a merger, or [a] sale." The company has promised not to say any more until its plans are finalized. [Source: PharmaTimes]
Deerfield ups offer for Nitromed -- Last December, Deerfield Management moved to purchase all of Nitromed; Deerfield currently owns a 12 percent stake in the company, whose most prominent product is heart med BiDil. This week, Deerfield upped its offer an undisclosed amount. [Source: Pharm Aid]

Maybe biotech is healthier than pharma -- The CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Joshua Berger, said his firm had 11,000 applicants for 300 positions last year. Although CNBC reporter Mike Huckman cautions, "It's just an anecdote," it does illustrate two things: the harsh competition for jobs, and the fact that Vertex is still hiring -- reportedly at a rate of 3 people a week. There aren't many pharma firms hiring right now. [Source: Pharma's Market]