Amgen advances oral form of heart drug into trial; Targacept hit with 4Q loss;

@FierceBiotech: Venture backer makes $7M bet on cardio drug tech that could rival stents. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@RyanMFierce: Good stuff from @LifeSciVC on how much milestone money #biotech investors are actually getting in biobuck-laden M&As. News | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MarkHFierce: EyeGates' new ocular drug delivery system showed promise in Phase III. Results presented in Dubai!! More | Follow @MarkHFierce

@FierceMedDev: DNA in Play as Life Technologies Joins Illumina in Race for Deal: Real M&A via @BloombergNews. Item | Follow @FierceMedDev

> German companies apceth and Inddivumed have embarked on a new partnership that will focus on development of tissue-backed biomarkers to predict response of targeted cellular or gene therapies against cancer. Release

> Targacept ($TRGT) predictably had a $9.8 million loss in the fourth quarter as the development-stage company focuses on research of neuroscience drugs. Article

> Amgen ($AMGN) and partner Cytokinetics have kicked off an early-stage clinical trial for an oral form of their heart drug omecamtiv mecarbil. Item

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Fake Avastin probe hits a dead end at an apparent dummy address in Cairo--Reuters. News | Follow @FiercePharma

> J&J picks Gorsky over McCoy to fill CEO's seat. News

> Shire to boost Vpriv, Replagal with EMA-approved plant. Article

> Abbott prevails as Supremes pass on J&J patent suit. Story

> Teva wraps up most propofol suits for $285M. More

Drug Delivery News

> Anaeropharma/Eisai launch bacteria-based cancer combo drug trial. Story

> Sol-Gel seals $27M dermatology drug delivery deal with mystery partner. News

> EyeGate discloses positive Phase III data for electric eye drug device. Article

> Harvard's tiny DNA robots deliver cancer-killing treatment in lab. Item

> Carbon nanoparticles charge up old cancer treatment to powerful effect. More

> MicroCHIPS' wireless implantable device delivered osteoporosis drug in people. Story

Biomarker News

> Genomind begins depression biomarker study. Item

> Imaging biomarker shows autism in infancy. Story

> Biomarkers watching HIV progression. Article

> Cyclin D1 could predict outcomes in oral cancer. News

Medical Device News

> J&J's Weldon to step down as CEO, leaving post to Gorsky. More

> New Enzo test aims to boost colonoscopy compliance. Story

> Vascular Magnetics snags $7M in Series A. News

> Medtronic might consider spine unit sale. Article

And Finally… Any guesses about what the changing of the guard at healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ), which is changing CEOs, could mean for biotech? Article