In August, Novartis became the poster child of dodgy data when the US FDA accused the company of submitting a drug application with manipulated data and failing to inform regulators until after the product was approved. But how did this error occur, and what can be done to prevent it happening again? We take a look at the problem of manipulated data and what can be done to fix it.

Also in this issue, we examine the controversy surrounding the Dengue Fever vaccine as nations grapple with outbreaks and epidemics, find out how ‘evergreening’ and ‘thicketing’ tactics used to extend IP protection are undermining current patent systems, and take a look at a new method of attaching drugs to antibodies which could improve the stability and safety of targeted cancer treatment.

Plus, we explore the challenge of developing transplant rejection drugs, review the state of non-hormonal menopause treatments, round up key examples of multi-indication drugs, and take a look back at the research and innovations that have brought us one step closer to creating a Chlamydia vaccine.

Eloise McLennan, editor