Boehringer taps Hydra for CNS R&D; Gates-backed TB drug moves into PhIII;

@FierceBiotech: An international biotech tackles CRISPR gene editing tech with $25M bankroll. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: You gotta give $AZN credit. They keep spinning. Beefing up PhIII, which should have been Soriot's initial focus. More from the FT | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: $CELG opens down 5%. Perhaps a $710M deal didn't thrill investors who just watched R&D costs drag profits. | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Genetically engineered mosquitoes could be vital weapon against malaria. More from The Guardian | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Boehringer Ingelheim has paired up with Hydra Biosciences to develop small-molecule therapies for CNS diseases and disorders. News

> A Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-backed drug cocktail for tuberculosis is headed to a Phase III trial, stirring hopes it'll become the first marketed therapy for conventional and drug-resistant forms of the disease. Article

> Medivation ($MDVN) is licensing a few cancer-treating compounds from OncoFusion Therapeutics, gaining worldwide rights to the early-stage candidates. Item

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Lombard Medical revives stateside IPO plans with a $55M debut. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: BREAKING: Zimmer buying fellow orthopedics company Biomet for $13.35 billion. | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: New genetic-bionic treatment for hearing loss could help improve pitch perception in those with cochlear implants. Article from Wired | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@MichaelGFierce: X-ray-activated nanoparticles release cancer-killing light deeper into tissue. More from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Varian's profits slip as revenue ticks up slightly. Story

> BioFire buy boosts bioMérieux earnings. Article

> Breast cancer screening company Quantason files for Chapter 11. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Top-read special report: The top 10 pharma companies by 2013 revenue. Feature | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Novartis, GSK team up in consumer JV to save big money, gain big scale. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: Gilead turns in eye-popping  results because of huge sales of Sovaldi, $2.3B in Q1 sales for the hep C drug. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Allergan poison pill presages a battle against Valeant's $47B takeover. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> No big thrill from Novartis in Q1, just a 'solid' $14B in sales. News

> AstraZeneca CEO jumps into asset-sale fray to 'focus on what we do well.' Report

> Pfizer concedes Celebrex to Actavis, Teva after 2015 patent strike-down. Story

Pharma Manufacturing News

> FDA is now reporting recalls still awaiting classification. News

> China's Sinovac gets $9.6M grant to build vaccine plant. Article

> Report: Industry's regulatory-centric focus for manufacturing will no longer cut it. More

> Bristol-Myers extends manufacturing pact with Samsung. Story

> Wockhardt smacked by state regulator in India. Report

> Regulatory issues crush India's drug export growth. Item

Vaccines News

> Sinovac scores $9.6M Chinese grant for new hand, foot and mouth disease vaccine. Article

> Tetanus shot stored at higher temperatures as effective as cold chain-stored jab. More

> Immune discovery puts vaccine for H. pylori closer in sight. Story

> MERS vaccine to ease outbreak within 6 months, virologist says. Item

> Novartis bids farewell to vaccines with $7.1B sale to GSK. News

> U.K. health secretary asks Novartis CEO for Bexsero price cut. Report