Ex-Novartis exec claims kickback charge triggered her termination; FDA accepts pirfenidone resubmission;

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@StacyALawrence: 2013's 10 highest-paid Med Tech CEOs - FierceMedicalDevices. Report | Follow @StacyALawrence

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI: Patent office nomination for J&J top IP lawyer would send anti-reform message. Article | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@MichaelGFierce: A tiny, "walking" robot powered by a muscle cell? It could help deliver drugs one day. FierceDrugDelivery story | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Effects of childhood trauma and adversity could be mistaken for ADHD, according to experts. More from The Atlantic | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> A former Novartis ($NVS) executive in New Jersey says she was fired after raising objections to a $400,000 McKesson study which she perceived as a kickback.  Story

> Foundation Medicine ($FMI) has expanded its office in Cambridge, MA. Story

> The FDA has accepted InterMune's ($ITMN) resubmission for pirfenidone. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: $ENDP, $BDSI buoyed as PhIII pain drug success clears path to FDA. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: FDA gives an early OK to lymphoma drug Beleodaq. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: I have no idea what the next move for the Aragon/Seragon team is, but do note that Paragon Pharma is already taken. More | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Not to mention other zoonotic diseases. RT : We Are Making Ebola Outbreaks Worse By Cutting Down Forests. Article | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Where's the U.K. outrage over AbbVie's pursuit of Shire? More

> Anti-PD-1 cancer star nivolumab wins world's first regulatory approval. News

> Essex Woodlands strides to a new $750M venture fund for biotech, healthcare. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Our newest site, FierceAnimalHealth, is up and running! Go look --> FierceAnimalHealth.com | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: India generic makers, tired of being criticized will see if a PR campaign in the US can turn things around. FiercePharmaManufacturing story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: RT @FiercePharma: Top-read in FierceVaccines: Agenus' genital herpes vax cuts viral load 75% in PhII. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> U.S. voices concern over closed trial of American linked to GSK scandal. Story

> U.K. fund manager Neil Woodford bets big on AstraZeneca. More

> EU approves GSK's Mekinist and Novartis will reap the rewards. Report

CRO News

> AMRI eyes a big year after completing another buyout. Article

> Quintiles extends its commercial capabilities with Encore buyout. News

> Catalent eyes a Japanese expansion after 40 years in the country. More

> BioOutsource plots a U.S. expansion with eyes on biosimilars. Story

> Parexel eyes the Middle East with its latest CRO buyout. Article

Biotech IT News

> The Silicon Valley startups aiming to build Amazon for biotech R&D. Story

> FDA wants an EMR database to boost oversight of drug safety. More

> FDA IT modernization push set to continue under 2014-2018 strategic plan. Article

> 'Painful' regulations keeping Google on the periphery of life sciences. Story

> Faculty leaders call for Scripps chief to leave over USC merger plan. Report

Animal Health News

> Animal health test company Idexx Laboratories opens $35M addition. News

> Injectable brace for horses could speed up healing time. Item

> Advaxis pushes into animal care with cancer immunotherapy. Article

> FDA begins to guide nanotechnology in animal feed. More

> Merck's Bravecto, Bayer's Quellin chewables approved for dogs. Story