@FierceBiotech: Gene-patent courtroom drama plays out in Washington. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Optimer is also hiring 100 reps for fidaxomicin, to be sold as Dificid. (Dificid?) Article | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Actelion has nominated two Big Pharma vets for its board as it tries to stare down an attempt by its biggest investor to gain control of the company with a rebel slate of its own directors. Ex-GSK CEO Jean-Pierre Garnier and Robert Bertolini, the former CFO at Schering-Plough, are up for election to the board. Story
> Columbia Labs and Watson Pharmaceuticals are touting the results of a late-stage study of a vaginal gel which reduced the number of preterm births among women with a short cervical length. Story
> Laboratory Corporation of America has struck a deal to acquire Orched Cellmark, which provides DNA testing services, for $85.4 million. Story
> Oxford BioTherapeutics has struck a license agreement on BioWa's antibody development platform. Report
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Data questions Avastin safety for eye use. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
> Will penny-pinching Europeans accept Brilinta premium? Article
> Report: U.S. specialty-med spending on the rise. Report
> Fabry patients petition NIH on shortage. Item
> Study: Off-label marketing tactics tough to stop. Article
> Actelion enlists former Big Pharma execs. News
Drug Delivery News
> Semiconductor technique could attack MRSA. Report
> MonoSol aims for asthma market with thin film. Article
> Morphotek acquires TMI's scorpion venom platform. Item
> Silicon Valley makes 'first' investment in Belfast startup. Story
> Texas researchers find a better way of deliverying siRNA. News
> Mucus lets toxins in, but could also let in hydrophobic drugs. Article
Medical Device News
> Wright Medical's CEO, CTO out. News
> CareFusion's COO to leave this summer. Article
> Nevada officials look into Biotronik payments to docs. Report
> Unilife realigns operations, looks to save $12M. Story
> Neuros Medical reports positive results from pain study. Item
> Cappella taps Shea as CEO. News
And Finally... Certain strains of HPV have been linked to a higher risk of lung cancer. Story