Republican victory in Massachusetts a blow for Obama health reform plans; not a happy first anniversary present

The victory of little-known Republican Scott Brown in yesterday's US Senate elections in the state of Massachusetts puts US President Barack Obama's health care reform dreams in danger, and the blow comes as the President today celebrates his first year in office.

In what was a strong voter turnout - despite snow and drizzle in the area, Mr Brown won by a majority of 51.9%. Just weeks ago, leading opponent state Attorney General, Democrat Martha Coakley, had a double-digit lead in polls and seemed destined to win.

The Republican victory in MA last night removes the Democrats' 60 seat filibuster-proof Senate majority. This potentially increases the risk that Democrats who were in favor of reform now back down. The state had been held by Democrats, notably Senator Edward Kennedy - who died last year, for almost half a century. The state is also home to more than 400 biotechnology companies, which stand to lose out on provisions for patent exclusivity relating to biosimilars approvals, which the President wants to reduce from the 12 years proposed by the current legislation packages before Congress.