Merck gains rights to diabetes drug portfolio; 5-year Velcade data points to improved survival benefit for myeloma patients;

  @FierceBiotech: Leave it to engineers to come up with a potentially novel solution to fight Alzheimer's disease. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

  @JohnCFierce: Quintiles sets up a China CRO, plans to double staff in China--another step in the shift to the East. News | Follow@JohnCFierce

  @RyanMFierce: Avila makes progress with Btk inhibitor, same type of drug as $JNJ shelled out $150M for last week. Story | Follow@RyanMFierce

  @MaureenFierce: Fooling immune system reverses multiple sclerosis in mice, according to a University of Freiburg study. More | Follow@MaureenFierce

  @MarkHFierce: Look at this--gene therapy works! Sometimes the most interesting news comes out during the weekend. Item | Follow@MarkHFierce

> Merck's grabbed worldwide licensing rights to a portfolio of Type 2 diabetes treatments held by Japan's Mochida Pharmaceutical. Release

> Takeda has presented 5-year follow-up data demonstrating that Velcade added to standard treatments reduced the threat of death by 31% among untreated multiple myeloma patients. Story

> Astellas and Optimer won European approval for the new antibiotic Dificlir. Story

> Palo Alto, CA-based Anacor says that that it has nailed down positive Phase IIa its two PDE-4 inhibitors, AN2728 and AN2898, in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, a chronic rash. Release

> The FTC has approved Valeant's acquisition of units of J&J and Sanofi. Story

> Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority says it will add an $8 million, 37,000-square-foot facility at the Bioscience Park in Colorado to house startup biotech companies. Story

Pharma News

  @FiercePharma: SEC accuses Stiefel Labs, ex-chief of fraud: NYTNews | Follow@FiercePharma

> Watson takes big initial chunk of generic Lipitor sales. Report

> Pfizer elects CEO Read as company chair. Report

> FDA rejects citizen's petition on Plan B. News

> SEC accuses ex-Stiefel CEO of fraud. Article

> J&J to release new Doxil batches. Story

Biotech Research News

> Antibody may help fight Alzheimer's. More

> Protein 'switch' could be key to fighting obesity, diabetes. Story

> Gene therapy appears to work for hemophilia B patients. Report

> Supreme Court considering crucial gene patent case. News

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Actavis, Mylan continue defense in Digitek API suits. Article

> Packaging veteran urges including patient in drug pedigree chain. More

> KV reports doubt about viability under decree. News

> Europe issues 2nd recall of drugs made by Ben Venue. Story

And Finally... Investigators at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Georgia say they have developed a new vaccine that proved highly effective at reducing breast and pancreatic cancer tumors in mice. Release