Porter Novelli has combined its FischerHealth and Porter Novelli Life Sciences operations.

Gilead Sciences has received FDA approval for the marketing of Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults.

InVentiv Health is acquiring CRM specialist Patient Marketing Group for $14.5 million.

Rosetta, a Hamilton, NJ-based healthcare interactive agency, has acquired Cleveland-based Brulant, an interactive shop with clients in retail and consumer goods, financial services and hospitality.

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals has received an approvable letter from the FDA for Zipsor, indicated for mild to moderate acute pain.

Roche has announced plans to acquire gene therapy company Mirus Bio Corp. for $125 million.

A report by West Virginia's Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council said pharmas spent $16 million on DTC advertising in the state from July 2007 through December 2007.

Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak, who chair the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee thereof, respectively, praised Merck, Schering-Plough, Pfizer and J&J for agreeing to follow AMA guidelines regarding the use of docs in ads and to not advertise off-label uses of drugs.

Pfizer gathered capabilities info from its US consumer and professional advertising and PR agencies while issuing RFIs to some non-roster agencies, AdWeek reported.

Williams-Labadie, a division of the Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, has announced the appointment of Frank Bartco to senior account supervisor