Exelixis wins EU nod for cancer combo; Merck KGaA, Pfizer pick up orphan designation;

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> Exelixis ($EXEL) won European approval for the cancer treatment cobimetinib, to be used in tandem with partner Roche's ($RHHBY) Zelboraf in melanoma. The combination won FDA approval earlier this month. News

> Merck KGaA and Pfizer ($PFE) secured a European orphan drug designation for the cancer treatment avelumab, a checkpoint inhibitor in development for Merkel cell carcinoma. More

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Cigna rolls out new coverage policy for whole exome sequencing. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI from FierceDrugDelivery: Physicians call for novel abuse-deterrent opioid agonist/antagonist formulations in survey. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Scientists roll out innovative health-tracking device for guide dogs. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Entellus wins FDA clearance for its endoscope to treat blocked sinus passages. More

> Alphabet gives startups a lesson in financial management. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Scientists roll out innovative health-tracking device for guide dogs. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICYMI:  warning letter says Dr Reddy's hid existence of QC testing lab where retesting was done. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Trump, Clinton lash out at Pfizer over Allergan deal agreement. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Amgen nabs Kyprolis OK in Europe as U.S. competition mounts. Story

> Xellia Pharma buys former Boehringer Ben Venue plant, once the poster child of quality failings. Article

Pharma Marketing News

> Meda breaks down asthma with Medikidz comic book series for children. Report

> Kantar Media survey: Not all docs hate all ads. Article

> Turing sidesteps list-price discount on jacked-up therapy Daraprim. Item

> Purple haze: Dr. Reddy's strikes back at AstraZeneca in Nexium court battle. Story

> If TV's everywhere, then where does pharma need to be? More

Biotech Research News

> Sanford Burnham team sees promise in new melanoma drug. More

> Fruit flies may provide a biomarker for early-onset Parkinson's. Item

> U.K. investigators publish small, promising study of Victoza for NASH. Report

> Arno's HDAC inhibitor looks promising in preclinical cachexia study as cash runs low. Story

> Mount Sinai team maps a key combo role for new checkpoint drugs. Article

Vaccines News

> Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi to launch DPT-polio vaccine in Japan. News

> Vaxart's oral RSV candidate protects in preclinical challenge. Report

> SUNY Upstate Medical University, U.S. Army start $12M partnership toward dengue vaccine. More

> FDA expands indication of Emergent BioSolutions anthrax vaccine. Article

> Celldex's brain cancer vaccine Rintega shows survival advantage at 2-year mark. Story