Array snags $8.5M milestone from Amgen; Alimera raises $40M; Penn investigators tout anti-tau Alzheimer's work;

NEW! Conversations on Twitter :

 @FierceBiotech: Study: Low-income patients less likely to join cancer‬ trials. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Interesting approach--super high risk; EnVivo grabs ‪Alzheimer‬'s spotlight with promising PhIIb results. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Innovation in ‪pharma‬ manufacturing is under-appreciated. Thinking about this as I cover Novartis' woes at Lincoln, NE plant. Hurt Q2 sales.  | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Array BioPharma ($ARRY) has snagged an $8.5 million milestone in its pact with Amgen ($AMGN) covering the small-molecule glucokinase activator program, including AMG 151. Article

> Alimera Sciences is raising $40 million through the sale of stock. Much of that is earmarked for the development and commercialization of Iluvien. Release

> Seattle-based Omeros reports that its lead compound, OMS824, completed all of the preclinical studies that it expects will be necessary for the drug's planned Investigational New Drug Application. Release

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: PDI expects $57M from deal to market 'newly FDA approved drug'. ‪Vivus‬ diet pill Qsymia, maybe? Release | Follow @FiercePharma

> New bill aims to mandate abuse-deterrent painkillers. Report

> Novartis leans on emerging markets, new meds to offset Diovan drop. News

> Plavix tops U.S. sales ranks, but not for long. More

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Medtronic appears to be negotiating with Indian device giant Trivitron Healthcare for a "strategic investment." More | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: U.K. Sanofi site draws $7.8M investment for asthma inhaler production. Item | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Quest Dx and LabCorp are scaling back expectations after a tepid Q2. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Slow market stunts growth of Quest, LabCorp. Report

> Medtronic reportedly eyes stake in India's Trivitron Healthcare. News

> Weaker euro batters Stryker's Q2 earnings. Article

CRO News

> Medpace adds clinical pharma unit for PhI trials. Story

> ScinoPharm will manufacture blockbuster hopeful Qsymia. Article

> Europe moves toward liberalizing clinical trial rules. More

> Study: Low-income patients less likely to join cancer trials. Report

> Indian regulators shutter 12 drug plants over enviro concerns. News

Vaccines News

> Galena stock jumps with NeuVax patent. Report

> Oral vax rides on advanced microparticles. News

> Silk could eliminate 'cold chain' need. Story

> MedImmune to cut 200 jobs, layoffs hit vax R&D. Article

> University of Birmingham explores attitudes toward polio vax in India. More

> HIV-positive patients approved for smallpox vax in an emergency. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Novartis's Q2 sales hit after Excedrin production woes. News

> Sanofi plant adds 40 to produce SkyePharma product. More

> Docs reportedly get smuggled cancer drugs in Pakistan bazaar. Story

> J&J 'decree' upgrades cost 200 jobs in Puerto Rico. Article

And Finally… Penn Medicine research shows that an anti-tau treatment called epithilone D was effective in preventing and delaying Alzheimer's disease in animal models, improving neuron function and cognition, as well as decreasing tau pathology. Release