GSK, Theravance launch PhIII trial; ContraFect files $23M IPO for infectious disease R&D;

@FierceBiotech: AbbVie heads to the FDA with its hep C combo in a race with Gilead, Merck. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: GSK punts programs and rights on cancer to Novartis. MAGE-A3 a mess. Looks like they're done with cancer. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: If I have past two days right: Valeant is buying Pfizer, which won an injunction against Medtronic, which is eyeing Allergan, and all are moving to Ireland. | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Experimental drug could thwart measles outbreaks. News | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> GSK ($GSK) and Theravance ($THRX) have launched a late-stage study of a new combo therapy for COPD, matching the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone furoate and the long-acting beta-2 agonist vilanterol (FF/VI). Story

> Yonkers, NY-based ContraFect has filed plans to raise $23 million in an IPO. S-1

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Ulthera looks to $86M public offering for financial facelift. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Updated with statement from Edwards : Federal court postpones Edwards' block of Medtronic's CoreValve. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Bacterin International reports slight increase in Q1 revenues partly fueled by biologics growth. More | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Stanford researchers look at possible Trojan horse delivery. Story via the Stanford Daily | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> FDA deems recalled Covidien devices potentially deadly. Story

> Teleflex hit with FDA warning letter over respiratory devices. Item

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: GlaxoSmithKline pledges $7.1B to add Novartis vaccines to its leading lineup. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: All of FiercePharma's Novartis-GSK-Lilly coverage in one place. Get it while it's hot. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: FDA says import alert for saline from Baxter Canada plant tied to an importer trying to ship some to the U.S. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: So...who inherits Glaxo's cancer vaccine candidate? | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Pfizer to plunk down $190M to wrap up Neurontin class action. News

> Eli Lilly's Elanco snags Novartis' animal health unit in $5.4B deal. More

> $16B deal for GlaxoSmithKline oncology meds turns Novartis into cancer heavyweight. Story

Biotech Research News

> Researchers replicate controversial stem cell-cloning method. Story

> Experimental drug could thwart measles outbreaks. Piece

> Stabilizing protein complex in brain offers hope for Alzheimer's treatment. More

> Improved monitoring of zoonotic diseases could predict future Ebola outbreaks. Article

> Cancer stem cells responsible for treatment resistance, cancer relapse. News

> Mouse model could have predicted drug toxicity that killed 5 in clinical trial. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Novartis deals with GSK and Lilly switch up manufacturing landscape. More

> FDA issued import alert after importer tried to ship saline not approved in U.S. Story

> GSK plans to unload site of closed Indian API plant. Article

> Cubist again recalls some Cubicin tied to contractor problem. Piece

> Hospira recalls 7 lots of propofol and one of lidocaine. News

> Novartis close on deal to sell contract patchmaker LTS Lohmann. Item