March 1, 2005

Sales of drug Tysabri for treatment of multiple sclerosis are abruptly suspended after product is linked to fatal neurological disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML; drug, jointly marked by Biogen Idec and Elan, was approved by Food and Drug Administration three months ago under procedure designed to speed introduction of drugs for serious diseases; Biogen's chief executive James C Mullen comments; Biogen's stock loses 43 percent of market value, plunging $28.63 to $38.65; graph; photo (M)

Article on ABC series NYPD Blue and one of its stars, Dennis Franz, who has portrayed Detective Andy Sipowicz for 12 years; final broadcast of show will air on March 1; photo (M)

Michiko Kakutani reviews book Taking Heat: The President, the Press and My Years in the White House by Ari Fleischer; photos (M)

Temple University men's basketball coach John Chaney says he will not coach during Atlantic 10 Conference tournament; could face end of career after putting player in game against St Joseph's University specifically to commit hard fouls; St Joseph's player John Bryant suffered broken arm after being fouled; photo (M)

A 42nd St subway shuttle overshoots end of track at Grand Central Terminal and smashes into concrete block after shuttle's operator loses control of train; transit officials say they do not know if he fell asleep, fainted or otherwise lost consciousness; incident occurs at 5 am, with only seven people on train; operator and two homeless men on train are taken to hospital; extent of injuries is unclear; accident reduces service on shuttle during morning commuter rush; photos (M)