@FierceBiotech: Neurotrope hires 3: a CMO and heads of commercial ops & regulatory affairs. Release | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: AstraZeneca adds a combo research pact to a flurry of new antibiotics deals. Coverage | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Pfizer's R&D spend is $2.5B smaller than it was in 2011, but does smaller = more efficient? Story | Follow @DamianFierce
@EmilyMFierce: At least 103 million cases of childhood disease have been prevented by vaccines since 1924, new survey says. Blog post via Science News | Follow @EmilyMFierce
> Idenix Pharma's ($IDIX) CEO tells TheStreet's Adam Feuerstein about his plans for the $107 million the biotech just raised. In addition to continuing its quest for new hepatitis C drugs, despite the rapid progress of leaders like Gilead ($GILD) and AbbVie ($ABBV), Idenix also plans to follow up on its patent litigation with Gilead. Story
> Alimera Sciences ($ALIM) has raised $37.5 million from a private placement. The money will be used to back its research on ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Release
@FierceMedDev: Federal judge clears path for failure-to-warn claims against St. Jude. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MichaelGFierce: Artificial pancreas news: U.K. researchers unveil device, J&J snags Can. approval of closed-loop system. News | Follow @MichaelGFierce
@EmilyWFierce: Covidien gets Japanese stamp of approval for Tri-Staple technology. More | Follow @EmilyWFierce
@GalenMoore: Judge green-lights 5 lawsuits claiming St. Jude Medical failed to warn about Riata problems. Report | Follow @GalenMoore
> Despite Medtronic's failure, ReCor sticks to its guns on hypertension. News
> Low-cost ventilator maker OneBreath pulls in $3M to expand in emerging markets. Item
> Shakeup at St. Jude: Cardio pres. Frank Callaghan to retire as units merge. More
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Endo Pharma is No. 10 on our list of 2013's largest pharma layoffs. Special Report | Follow @FiercePharma
@TracyStaton: Lilly announced 1,000 job cuts in 2013. 2014 is expected to be even bleaker. Report | Follow @TracyStaton
@EricPFierce: Pharma keeps whacking jobs, but not always because of the patent cliff. Report | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: NICE consults again on decision to recommend new prostate cancer drug Xtandi from Astellas. Release | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> AstraZeneca joins stepped-up antibiotic R&D action with FOB Synthesis deal. Item
> Report: FDA allowed 'high risk' animal antibiotics to remain in use on U.S. farms. Story
> GSK warns of a possible global shortage of chickenpox vaccines. More
Pharma Manufacturing News
> India has different attitudes about the standards at facilities targeted by the FDA. Story
> Actavis is selling a China plant as it unloads manufacturing capacity globally. Article
> Ranbaxy's repeat violation elicits swift FDA action. Piece
> GSK blames chickenpox vaccine shortage on plant problems. More
> Feds nab two men from Turkey in effort to counter counterfeits. News
> NextSource brings back Lomustine, the brain cancer drug that BMS stopped making. Item
Biotech Research News
> Genetic platform allows scientists to tap marine microbiota for drug discovery. Story
> Discovery links genes to excess belly fat. More
> Plant-based compound maintains memory against Alzheimer's in mice. Piece
> Researchers repair retinas in mice with virus-free stem cells. News
> Reengineered antibiotic gains ability to thwart drug-resistant TB strains. Article
> $3M initiative will focus on finding new drugs for Alzheimer's. Item