Chugai opens a new U.S. R&D shop; UCB gets EU nod for epilepsy drug;

@FierceBiotech: TEDMED 2015: A brief history of CRISPR and what's next. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: To me, the FDA review of drisa reads like a letter to DMD parents. You don't want this drug. Please don't be angry.  | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: "Did you name me after the mayor of New York, dad?" "Yes, Kristaps, but he was just a basketball player then." | Follow @DamianFierce

> Japanese drugmaker Chugai Pharma opened a new U.S. hub in Berkeley Heights, NJ, an outpost focused on early-stage and translational research. More

> European regulators recommended approval of UCB's brivaracetam, a treatment for epilepsy the company plans to market as Briviact. Story

> Italian biotech Newron Pharmaceuticals raised $5.4 million in a private placement. Item

> Aptose Biosciences ($APTO) suspended dosing of the cancer drug APTO-253 in a Phase Ib trial over patient safety concerns, and the FDA has placed a clinical hold on the program. News

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: The top women in medical devices 2015. Feature | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI yesterday: St. Jude earns FDA approval for recharge-free spinal cord stimulation system. Article | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Dx Digest: Invitae builds out cancer and epilepsy testing menus; Illumina gets in on autism research. More | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Bard to buy Liberator for $181M to improve access to home care market. Article

> Cancer diagnostics company closes up shop after 6-year FTC investigation. More

> Philips launches smartphone plug-in ultrasound handheld with app in U.S. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Price controls loom for generic drugs in India next year. FiercePharmaAsia article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharmaManufacturing: Baxalta Singapore plant gets FDA OK to produce Advate. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

> Horizon drops hostile takeover attack on Depomed after legal ruling. Report

> Merck KGaA rolls out big plans for expansion in Africa. Story

> Dr. Reddy's strikes back at AstraZeneca in purple pill courtroom battle. Article