Cambridge, MA's Affinivax secured another $2.5 million in funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support its work on a pneumococcal vaccine that can best Pfizer's top-selling Prevnar 13. The raise follows a $4 million check from the Gates Foundation at Affinivax's launch in 2014, and the company said it's moving toward clinical trials with its candidate. More
@FierceBiotech: FierceBiotech Radio on Gilead's wide-open future, biotech's long winter and Sanofi's ongoing makeover. More/Subscribe | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Hey, we got a picture to add to our #JPM16 apology piece. From a Roth party. Check it out. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
> The FDA rejected Vertex Pharmaceuticals' ($VRTX) attempt to get its cystic fibrosis therapy Kalydeco approved for a larger patient population. News
> Biotech's recent downturn may have battered companies' share prices, but the IPO successes of yesteryear are still sitting on a lot of cash, Atlas Venture's Bruce Booth points out. Post
> Massachusetts biotech Silk Therapeutics raised $6 million in a Series A2 round, bringing its total funding to about $10.3 million as it develops silk-based skincare products. Item
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: IYCMI yesterday: FDA OKs use of Medtronic's CoreValve TAVR on end-stage renal disease patients. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Valeant, Turing slammed for price hikes during congressional hearing. More from FiercePharma | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Scientists call for development of quick Zika tests as epidemic rages on. Story
> Cellnovo partners with TypeZero in major NIH-backed artificial pancreas trial in Type 1 diabetics. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Scientists pinpoint contributions pets can make to human medicine. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharmaManufacturing: Teva is adding 20 jobs at UK plant, but only after cutting 80 as it looks for different skills. Article | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: Blockbuster new launches coming from Intercept, Gilead and Merck: Reuters. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> FDA shoots down Vertex's latest bid for Kalydeco expansion. Story
> AstraZeneca CEO still interested in M&A but he is getting very picky. Report