@FierceBiotech: Geron brings in broker to sell stem cell project. CEO thinks resources of biotech cos. at #JPM12 are 'very finite.' Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Unusually harsh lead on Dow Jones piece re Scangos and Biogen's "decimated" early pipeline. Is the honeymoon over? News | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce Optimer ($OPTR) COO is leaving antibiotics developer to "pursue other interests." Release | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Gilead ($GILD) has completed the tender offer for the outstanding shares of Pharmasset ($VRUS), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. Press release
> Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) has closed its R&D facility in Quebec, with 126 contract and permanent job losses. Article
> San Francisco-based company Inverseon has switched the focus from asthma to smoking cessation for its lead product, INV102. Press release
> Berlin-based Organoblance concluded its licensing agreement with Sanofi Pasteur, giving the vaccine company access to a modified yeast strain. Press release
> The first site is initiated in the global phase II/III trial of CSL Behring's fusion protein for hemophilia B. Press release
> Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) is shedding 120 jobs in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, as part of its plans to reduce active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. Article
> Five Star Equities predicts a rally for obesity drug developers in 2012. Press release
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Teva eyes M&A in Asia. Future generics growth will be centered there, CFO says at #JPM12 - Bloomberg. News | Follow @FiercePharma
> NICE nixes Sanofi's Jevtana on cost, side effects. News
> Teva to bulk up in Asia with generics buyouts. Article
> Montreal suffers new layoffs by J&J, Sanofi. Report
Vaccines News
> ImmunoCellular starts Phase II trial of brain cancer vaccine. Item
> As India nears polio eradication, researchers ponder new vaccines. News
> Microtest to manufacture ImmusanT's celiac vaccine. Story
Manufacturing News
> Interview: M+W on lean plants and car makers. News
> FDA seeks electronic reporting of drug stability tests. Article
> It's 'T' time for contract manufacturers. Report
And Finally... Tessie M. Che, COO and Senior VP Corporate Affairs at San Diego-based Optimer Pharmaceuticals, is leaving ‘to pursue other interests.' Press release