Biogen Idec forges $31M discovery pact with Galapagos sub; Alnylam gets fast-track status for rare disease therapy;

@FierceBiotech: GlaxoSmithKline loses its first big PhIII bet on heart drug darapladib. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Sarepta down 58%--about $700M in market cap vanished. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Dendreon slashing about 200 more jobs as Provenge sales slide and buyer interest comes up short. More | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: New drug target identified for glioblastoma. More | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> A Galapagos subsidiary, BioFocus, has forged a three-year agreement with Biogen Idec ($BIIB) to explore new therapies for the autoimmune disease scleroderma. The deal is worth up to $31 million. Release

> Alnylam ($ALNY) won fast-track status for patisiran, an experimental therapy for a rare heart and kidney disease. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Solta's aesthetic device sales sag, prompting company to explore selling itself. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: ICYMI: Don't over-promise on what your medical device can deliver. Via BBJ. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: ICYMI: Chinese investors pursue groundbreaking med tech from Canada's MDI. Article | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Report: Boston Scientific leads $20M round for Israeli devicemaker. More

> Rise in reported surgical robot problems could spur training surge. Item

> Hologic tanks as $1.1B charge wipes profits. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Breakthrough hep C meds aren't yet for sale, but critics already taking aim at prices. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: AstraZeneca thinks there is no place like home for new Zoladex plant. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Rare-disease co. ViroPharma finally snatched up after lots of speculation--Shire gets it for $4.2B. Release | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> For-sale Dendreon slashes 150 jobs, cuts more costs in hunker-down move. More

> Embattled Teva settles one thorny problem with $718M Israeli tax deal. News

Pharma Manufacturing News

> AstraZeneca stays in England with $190 million plant. More

> J&J, Amazon fight shows supply-chain weakness in online sales. Story

> Actavis to close NC plant, trim 310 jobs. News

> Daiichi Sankyo says it was burned in Ranbaxy buyout. Article

> Alexion recalls more Soliris. Report

> More than 27M pharma units recalled in Q3. Item

Biotech Research News

> Report proposes revamping Alzheimer's R&D. More

> Japanese fund awards $5.7M in infectious disease vaccine work. Story

> Government shutdown effects on biomedical research outlined. Report

> MacroGenics to receive $9M from Boehringer Ingelheim in preclinical antibody pact. Item

> Compound mimicking gene deletion stops tissue scarring in mice. News

> New drug target identified for glioblastoma. Article