@FierceBiotech: Quintiles is pumping $4.6M into UK's Oxford Cancer Biomarkers as part of the CRO's push in personalized medicine. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: R&D taking a hit in Takeda layoffs, Bloomberg reports Konstanz, Germany facility affected. Anyone heard about other sites? Item | Follow @JohnCFierce
@FierceMedDev: GE ($GE) selects Bionime to launch innovative diabetes solutions. Release | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: U.K. scientists are adapting a chemo drug to attach to other pills so it can be delivered by capsule or tablet. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
> Aastrom Biosciences CEO Tim Mayleben tells TheStreet the company is close to completing a financing that will fund a pivotal study on a new cell therapy for blocked leg arteries. Story
> Jazz Pharmaceuticals ($JAZZ) and Azur Pharma have completed their merger. The combined company now has 430 staffers. Release
> GEN reports on the recent ups and downs of the U.K.'s biotech industry, including some new initiatives aimed at bolstering the sector. Report
> Courtagen Life Sciences has acquired Medicinal Genomics for an undisclosed sum. The genomics company has sequenced the entire genome of marijuana. Story
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: 2004 J&J memo asked reps to "flood clinics with Risperdal stuff" to boost off-label scripts for kids, TX says--Bloomberg. Story | Follow @FiercePharma
> Witness: J&J memo urged off-label Risperdal push. Item
> Novartis nabs Chinese OK for Lucentis, launches Galvus. Story
> Takeda targets 2,800 jobs in Europe, U.S. News
Drug Delivery News
> Kedem pursues version of Novartis' Gleevec that dissolves under tongue. Item
> 'Smart' nanotech may help treat Type 1 diabetes. More
> Genentech pursues sustained-delivery version of blockbuster eye drug Lucentis. Story
Medical Device News
> Boston Sci boasts of positive study results with Epic stent system. Article
> Ventana, Bayer to collaborate on companion Dx for cancer. News
> Blood test may help detect pancreatic cancer early. Item
> Covidien recalls device linked to 3 deaths during thoracic surgery. News
Biomarkers News
> Researchers inch closer to stomach cancer blood tests. Story
> Qiagen signs diagnostic biomarker deals. Article
> Biomarkers could improve treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. More
> Teams closing in on gene behind form of muscular dystrophy. Item
> Biomarkers making an earache less of a headache. Story
And Finally... Swedish investigators say the loss of sleep triggers a person's appetite by stimulating a specific region of the brain. "Bearing in mind that insufficient sleep is a growing problem in modern society, our results may explain why poor sleep habits can affect people's risk to gain weight in the long run." Release