@FierceBiotech: Still trending: The ax drops at troubled Merck as big restructuring gets underway. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: We'll have some hiring news soon. but in the meantime still looking for a savvy devices writer. Also, have my eye out for a U.K. writer. | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Ex-Calistoga chief Gallagher joins VC Frazier Healthcare to steer biotech bets. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @DamianFierce
@EmilyMFierce: Check out my report on 5 promising preclinical drug programs. Special report | Follow @EmilyMFierce
> AstraZeneca's ($AZN) biologics subsidiary MedImmune has launched a Phase III study of the asthma drug benralizumab, one of its top prospects in the clinic. The move marks another expansion of AstraZeneca's late-stage pipeline as it tries to counter concerns about its weak R&D record in recent years. Story
> The South San Francisco-based diagnostics company Veracyte ($VCYT)--a FierceMedicalDevices Fierce 15 company--raised $65 million in its IPO, selling 5 million shares at $13, the low end of the range. Morgan Stanley and Leerink Swann are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. William Blair and Cowen and Company are acting as co-managers. Story
> Incyte ($INCY) is touting the results of a 60-patient study of its JAK1 inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis. Story
@FierceMedDev: New feature: Q3's top 5 diagnostics VC deals. Special report | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Kona notches solid results for novel renal denervation tech. Article
> CVRx brings in $12M more for hypertension device trial work. More
> Medtronic eyes faster FDA nod as CoreValve aces pivotal study. News
> Theragenics completes $68M sale to private equity outfit Juniper. Item
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Tuesday's top news: Vertex to slash 370 jobs in shift away from hep C drug Incivek. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Wockhardt profits crater as bans by FDA MHRA start to take a toll. FiercePharmaManufacturing story | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: Wondering which companies will be hardest-hit by patent losses in 2014? Special report | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Teva CEO Jeremy Levin steps down amid board squabble. More
> GSK closing plant ASAP, gives workers pay instead of notice. Article
Biomarkers News
> Hopkins team spotlights biomarkers ratio that tags presymptomatic Alzheimer's. More
> Researchers inch closer to breath test for lung cancer. Report
> Biomarker flags patient response to certain melanoma treatments. Story
> GE wins FDA approval for a second Alzheimer's imaging agent. Item
> Inova picks up rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers from Dutch university. Article
Drug Delivery News
@MichaelGFierce: Nanotech promises new frontier as FDA decides how to regulate. Editor's corner | Follow @MichaelGFierce
> Mesoporous delivery technique allows key compounds to aid stem cell transplant. Article
> Pulmatrix heralds early stage results for COPD dry powder tech. More
> Alnylam pushes for PhI trial of orphan hemophilia RNAi drug. Story
> Dual-surface Janus nanoparticle offers cancer diagnosis, drug delivery. Article
> Layered nanoparticles deliver RNA, chemo for one-two punch. Item
Diagnostics News
@MarkHFierce: DARPA is hard at work at a brain monitoring implant to help combat depression and other conditions. FierceMedicalDevices item | Follow @MarkHFierce
> Quest sued by Myriad in flap over BRCA test patents. Item
> Swedish team tracks down soft tissue pain with PET scanner. Story
> GE Healthcare eyes 2014 for U.S. launch of Alzheimer's imaging agent. More
> NextCODE CEO predicts rapid Dx growth with licensed deCODE sequencing tech. Story
> Johns Hopkins blood test points possible way toward early pancreatic cancer detection. Article