@FierceBiotech: Out of the gate yesterday, Sage Tx announces license deal with Ligand for Captisol tech for CNS drugs. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Thanks to Peter Mueller, Doug Williams, Omid Farokhzad, Tom Hughes and Stephen Knight for an interesting conversation on early stage R&D. | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Vertex's Mueller on open R&D: sharing IP gives you an opportunity to solve problems faster. A plug for open R&D? | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Gilead Sciences ($GILD) is breaking ground on a $140 million R&D facility on its Foster City, CA campus. News
> Rumors that GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) is mulling a buyout of Benlysta partner Human Genome Sciences are heating up again. The Washington Business Journal reports that the pharma giant will make a $4.8 billion offer for HGS. Article
> Teva Pharmaceutical and Active Biotech highlight clinical data on their oral MS drug laquinimod to combat progression of the nerve-damaging disease. Report
> Japan-based Eisai is teaming up with neurology experts at Johns Hopkins University on potential compounds against neurodegenerative diseases. Update
> A consortium of 10 companies and universities in Europe has won a €6 million in grant support from the European Commission Seventh Framework Commission to develop anticalin drugs for anemia. Release
> Cytokinetics is expected to cut 18 workers as part of a restructuring plan to reduce expenses. Item
> New York-based InvaGen says it plans to expand its operations and add 350 jobs in Suffolk County over the next 5 years. Report
> Testing for the NR2 peptide can identify patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, according to research presented at the American Neurological Association meeting. Story
> A small study found that a saliva test could help predict pancreatic cancer. Article
> PSA testing has no survival benefit, says the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, adding to the ongoing debate about how valuable the screening test is for men. Report
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Abbott plans to hive off its branded-biopharma business--$18B of its $40B sales--with EVP Richard Gonzalez as CEO. Release | Follow @FiercePharma
> Par Pharma suit + IMS ruling = off-label showdown? Item
> Abbott plots spinoff of its $18B biopharma business. Story
> Court upholds $442M Plavix judgment against Apotex. Article
Medical Devices News
> Abbott to split into two companies. News
> Gore acquires NMT assets. Item
> Foundation Medicine raises $33.5M in expanded Series A. More
Drug Delivery News
> Santaris wins as delivery partner in Miragen's $352M deal. Article
> Halozyme gets boost from injectable Herceptin. Story
> Topica Pharma grabs $27M B round for topical antifungal drug. Article
> SkyePharma hit with European delay on Flutiform app. News
> Scientists find new pulse on gene therapy delivery. More
> Drug-delivery devices could run on power from the body. Report
And Finally... A Chinese scientist has pled guilty to stealing biotech secrets while working for two American chemical companies. Story