Analyst: Gilead should buy Vertex; Biocon eyes an IPO for Syngene unit;

@FierceBiotech: Salk heavyweight Evans raising $33M for an intriguing stealth biotech. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Re-patients. I'm not buying the "you're a cynic" response. Manipulating patients for commercial gain and PR cover is SOP in biopharma. | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Gilead Sciences ($GILD) should spend its growing pile of cash on Vertex Pharmaceuticals ($VRX), according to Bernstein analyst Geoff Porges, arguing the latter company is worth $45 billion. Item

> Indian drugmaker Biocon is planning an IPO for its CRO business. More

> The recent hot streak in biotech venture capital has resulted in some eye-popping rounds, but the number of companies funded has stayed largely flat. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: WuXi and DNAnexus join up for cloud-based genomic services. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI yesterday: Study finds Boston Scientific's S-ICD has sterling safety profile, quarterly sales exceed $100M. Report | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: FBI admits to decades of flawed hair analysis. Washington Post story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Google-backed telemedicine company raises $15M to support its Spruce app. Item

> Medtronic touts the first neurostimulator to get approval for use during full-body MRI scan. Report

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Think the pharma M&A party will start winding down? Think again. Item | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Chinese API maker Yunnan Hande Bio-Tech gets a second FDA warning letter. FiercePharmaManufacturing story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Perrigo spurned Mylan's $29B offer, but would a bigger one do? Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> RB recalls 1.5M units of Mucinex on acetaminophen concerns. Item

> Teva wants Mylan wants Perrigo, and the pundits go mad with opinions. More

> Gilead should buy Vertex, analyst suggests--and the time is now. Article

Biotech Research News

> AbbVie, Infinity tout preclinical evidence of a cancer combo's potential. Story

> MD Anderson takes experimental lung cancer drug into the clinic. Report

> Seeking a drug cocktail, CSHL team points to a new pathway for breast cancer. More

> Yale cancer group refines an antibody approach to targeting cancer cells. Story

> Small European study highlights promise of gene therapy for rare immune disease. Article

Diagnostics News

> LabCorp rides direct-to-consumer wave with online testing services. More

> Quest joins forces with French health agency for BRCA research initiative. Report

> Cardinal Health pays feds $26M to settle charges of monopolizing molecular imaging agent market. Story

> Color Genomics unveils $249 spit test for breast and ovarian cancer. Item

> Focus Diagnostics gets FDA nod for rapid strep test. Article

Pharma Marketing News

> Attention pharma laggards: FitBit trackers delivered in Biogen's MS movement study. News

> How to make sure DTC doesn't turn off patients? Ask them to tailor your ads. Article

> Pharma's getting savvier about social, with Boehringer, Bayer leading the pack. More

> Pfizer's Lyrica team matches the spokesman to the message. Story

> Merck aims for double payoff with new diabetes education push. Article