Bayer strikes cancer discovery deal with Broad Institute; AstraZeneca takes a loss on Delaware facility; Exelixis and Verastem launch late-stage studies;

@FierceBiotech: Merck R&D chief spotlights streamlining, biologics and the new risk strategy. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: You can add real estate to AstraZeneca's (long) list of bad investments. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@Ry_McBride: Busy Biogen Idec fuels Amicus in Parkinson's drug chase. More | Follow @Ry_McBride

> Bayer HealthCare, which has been executing on an ambitious development plan for new cancer drugs, has struck a discovery deal with the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA. The high-profile Broad includes scientists from Harvard, MIT and the Harvard-related hospitals. The 5-year collaboration will focus on cancer genome alterations. Release

> Atlanta-based Celtaxsys, a discovery and development company, has restructured its management and operations to focus on development of its lead clinical stage drug candidate, CTX-4430, for cystic fibrosis. Dr. Michael Hanley has retired from his role as CEO and chairman, and Dr. Brett Premack has stepped down as CTO. Dr. H. Daniel Perez, a member of the Celtaxsys board and former CEO of Berlex Biosciences and Presidio Pharmaceuticals, is serving as chairman. Release

> Teri Willey has stepped in to take over as vice president of business development and technology transfer at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She had been doing similar work at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Willey was also a co-founder at Arch Development Partners, a venture group. The lab says its scientific work has led to the creation of about 20 biotechs, including OSI Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Astellas. Release

> Exelixis ($EXEL) has started a Phase III pivotal trial comparing cabozantinib with placebo in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have been previously been treated with sorafenib. The primary endpoint for the trial is overall survival. Release

> Verastem ($VSTM) has launched what it describes as a late-stage study of a mesothelioma therapy, which it says could lead to a regulatory filing in three years. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Intuitive's surgical robots slammed in another study. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@DamianFierce: Another FDA roadblock for Guided Therapeutics and its cervical scanner. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

@MarkHFierce: NanoString is ramping up the U.S. commercial launch for its breast cancer prognostic Dx. Item | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: CeQur closes $27M round to fund insulin delivery device. More from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Why was J&J's latest metal hip liability trial delayed two weeks? Story

> Consumer group demands warranties for hip, knee implants. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Italy's Recordati set to buy Spain's Laboratorios Casen Fleet for $122.4M. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: New FDA guidance on generics for combo inhaled drugs is bad news for GSK/Advair. Article Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Forest Labs taps ex-Bausch + Lomb chief to replace Solomon as CEO. More

> New FDA guidance threatens GlaxoSmithKline's Advair. Article

Biotech Research News

@EmilyMFierce: Drug combo could treat deadly coronavirus. More | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Immune cell discovery could help fight diabetes, arthritis, MS. Story

> Amicus, Biogen Idec form Parkinson's drug development pact. News

> Potential Parkinson's-fighting compounds identified. Article

> Compound restores learning deficits in Down syndrome mice. More

> Advaxis treatment stops HPV tumor growth, extends survival in animals. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

@EricPFierce: J&J recalls infant Motrin after API found to have tiny plastic bubbles. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

> India's economic meltdown pushes Biocon to build elsewhere. Story

> Piramal investing $11M in U.K. plant. News

> Burglar admits heists at Lilly, Glaxo warehouses. Report

> Altaire recalls moldy eye solution made for Walmart, CVS, Target. More

> Banner manufacturing powers Patheon growth. Article

And Finally... You can add real estate to the long list of bad investments made by AstraZeneca ($AZN). The pharma giant just sold a building in Wilmington, DE, for a fraction of what it paid for it. Story