Investigators detail positive ocrelizumab MS data; Nuron launches Ph3 for MS interferon;

@FierceBiotech: Medical experts argue in favor of beleaguered AZ/BMS diabetes drug dapagliflozin. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Exelixis has always had problems with study designs; source of issue with BMS. Fight the FDA, though? Shares tank. Piece | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: UK drug delivery co Oxford Pharmascience has raised £1.1M for Brazil biz and generics Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MaureenFierce: Sanofi set to rev past Pfizer in pharma rankings. Report | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Investigators for Roche report in The Lancet this week on the positive Phase II data gathered on the experimental MS drug ocrelizumab. "It really is a remarkable finding," said UCSF's Stephen Hauser. "This is extremely exciting, both in terms of the prospect of improved therapy for people with multiple sclerosis but also for the lessons that it teaches us about the fundamental cause of the disease." Release

> Exton, PA-based Nuron Biotech says it's begun a late-stage study of its newly formulated interferon for MS. This new treatment is intended to reduce the chances of an immunological response which often hampers treatment. Release

> Hawaii Biotech has reacquired licenses for vaccine technologies which Merck had picked up when it purchased a dengue fever vaccine last year. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Discounts, dealmaking and OTC plans: Pfizer aims to hang onto as much Lipitor as possible. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Teva U.S. sales plummet, Copaxone sets record. Story

> Boehringer: About 50 deaths in Pradaxa patients. Item

> Medicare affirms rule expected to erode Epogen sales. News

> Sanofi plans hundreds more U.S. job cuts in sales, R&D. Article

Medical Devices News

> Medtronic unveils procedure for minimally invasive spinal fusion. More

> BD falls after failing to meet profit forecast expectations. Report

> Abbott gets nod for Xience Prime. Story

> Medtronic CoreValve study initiated in Japan. Item

> Wright Medical sees net sales decline 3%. Piece

> Axis-Shield, CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic ink deal. Item

Drug Delivery News

> InflammaGen combats "self-digestion" with new delivery and treatment system. More

> Access Pharma tapping investors for $5.2M. Article

> SurModics selling drug delivery unit to Evonik for $30M. News

> Pacira's FDA nod marks win for extended-release tech. Report

> NanoSmart targets tiny 'bubbles' of cancer drugs to childhood tumors. More

> VC-backed Pulmatrix touts inhaled drug tech's delivery of Advair. Article

And Finally... Deaths attributed to overdoses of painkillers tripled over the past 10 years, says the CDC, which is calling for states to get more aggressive when it comes to preventing addicts from getting their hands on these powerful therapeutics. Report