Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., the maker of the Cenestin plant-derived hormone therapy, said U.S. regulators rejected its application to sell the Bijuva estrogen cream as a treatment for symptoms associated with menopause.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a so-called ''not approvable'' letter for the application, New Jersey-based Barr said Tuesday.

Barr also is awaiting a delayed decision on U.S. approval for the Plan B emergency contraceptive. It says it plans to continue developing other estrogen therapies.

- Bloomberg News

Pontiac Solstice to miss summer driving season

DETROIT - The edgy little two-seat convertible that the ailing General Motors Corp. was counting on to bring some buzz to its suffering Pontiac brand won't make it to showrooms in significant numbers until after the summer driving season has ended.

The Pontiac Solstice, which starts at $19,995, was the most exciting vehicle GM had in its hopeful bag of tricks.

But on Monday, company officials said the roadster, which generated a wave of preorder buzz after its recent marketing premiere on television won't be widely available in showrooms until after Sept. 1.

- Knight Ridder News Service