Bayer poaches Otsuka exec to head pharma unit; Vertex plots Phase III for ivacaftor monotherapy;

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@JohnCFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Trevi, Complexa bag $38M in VC cash to hit the gas on R&D. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Forgot @BayerHealthCare's pharma boss is leaving for International Flavors & Fragrances, which sounds like smthng RZA would boast of having. | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: ICYMI: Nektar reports tumor reduction in preclinical study. Story from FierceBiotech Research | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Bayer has recruited Otsuka Pharmaceuticals' Dieter Weinand to lead its pharmaceuticals division once Andreas Fibig steps down in August. Story

> Vertex Pharmaceuticals' ($VRTX) cystic fibrosis treatment ivacaftor performed well in a proof-of-concept study on patients with a non-R117H residual function mutation, and now the company is plotting a Phase III monotherapy trial. More

> French biotech Flamel ($FLML) said it has addressed the issues that led to an FDA rejection of its Éclat- acquired treatment and expects to resubmit soon. News

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Medtronic considers bid for Smith & Nephew amid building med dev merger mania. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI yesterday: Surgical instruments that improve cellulite will get FDA downgrade. Article | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@MichaelGFierce: Singapore team designs nanotechnology glaucoma treatment for sustained release. More from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Mind-controlled exoskeleton with a 3D-printed helmet could make its debut at the World Cup opening ceremony. Story from The Atlantic | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Delaying valve replacement procedures could adversely impact high-risk patients. Article

> Study supports clinical guidelines on ICD usage. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: ICYMI: This week's issue of FiercePharmaMarketing. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Would you pay $84K for Sovaldi yourself if you had hep C? Check out this discussion FiercePharma's LinkedIn group. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: Interesting dissection of Valeant's 'opaque' biz model from ProPublica's Jesse Eisinger. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Russia mulls taking $300M in state vaccine contracts local. FierceVaccines story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

@JustinHFierce: Zoetis Animal Health $ZTS traded up 0.35% during mid-day and hit $31.36, upgraded by Zacks from an underperform. More | Follow @JustinHFierce

> Glaxo settles multi-state off-label marketing probe with $105M fine. Article

> Bayer drafts Otsuka exec to lead pharma biz to big growth. Story

Vaccines News

> GAVI nets $50M for Merck's Gardasil, GSK's Cervarix. News

> Scripps, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln win $15M to advance HIV vaccines. Article

> PharmAthene anthrax vax aces survival in rabbit study. Item

> Study: Cholera vaccine has 86% effectiveness rate. Story

> Amgen to pursue T-Vec approval despite PhIII survival miss. More

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Vietnam bans products from 45 Indian companies for failing to meet standards. Item

> Turkey's drugmakers expand manufacturing as market booms. More

> Amneal said to be negotiating to buy Indian sterile injectable manufacturer. Report

> Glenmark opens new mAb manufacturing facility in Switzerland. Article

> AbbVie API expansion in Ireland readies it for anticipated hep C treatment. Story