J&J backs neurological disease research programs; AstraZeneca gains support for Parkinson's research work;

@FierceBiotech: GSK buys Okairos (Fierce 15 profile) for $325M, strengthens vaccines biz. Release | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Novo spearheads $175M financing to back Ophthotech's PhIII AMD study. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: GenVec seeks liquidation after gene therapy setbacks. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Janssen and Johnson & Johnson Innovation are committing up to 5 million over a 5-year period to sponsor research work on neurological diseases at VIB, KU Leuven and UZ Leuven. Release

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) is getting a little extra help for its R&D work on Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research awarded AstraZeneca a $465,000 grant to support research on levodopa-induced dyskinesias, a complication of therapies commonly used to reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms. Release

> The FDA has accepted Pozen's ($POZN) NDA on PA32540/PA8140 for review. Release

> Targacept ($TRGT) launched a Phase IIb clinical study of TC-5214 for overactive bladder. Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Luminex re-ups assay deal with Merck KGaA. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @DamianFierce: Cyberonics slides after CMS again rejects depression device for reimbursement. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Teleflex snags CE mark for balloon catheter. More

> CMS declines coverage for Cyberonics' depression device. Story

> Biosensors bets on 15% annual growth thanks to M&A. Article

> Toshiba, TPG said to bid on Panasonic's billion-dollar health biz. Report

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: More Indian hospitals eye anti-Ranbaxy policies, Business Standard reports. Some patients asking to switch. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: U.S. arrests 2 Pakistani men for selling controlled substances via the Internet. Interpol tracks them to London. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: First Ranbaxy, now Wockhardt - what is India to do about its manufacturing problems? Regulators unsure. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Re-analyzed Avandia data shows no increased heart risks. Report

> Big Kahuna statins gobble up bigger share of cholesterol market. Story

> Amgen forges ahead in Japan with Astellas joint venture. News

Biomarkers News

 @EmilyMFierce: University of Alabama begins Parkinson's biomarker study. Story | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> New CTC technology looks promising to track evolution of prostate cancer. Report

> Swedish team discovers protein common to aggressive bladder cancer. More

> Cenix to collaborate with Debiopharm on predictive biomarkers. Article

> Pancreatitis or cancer? Mayo Clinic says mutated gene points the way. Story

> Johns Hopkins: Two genes help predict postpartum depression risk. Item

Drug Delivery News

@MichaelGFierce: Morphine delivery platform could diminish abuse potential. Item | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Shape-shifting nanoparticles anchor to tumor cells, deliver drugs. Story

> New drug targets lock-and-key mechanism of prostate cancer growth. Article

> Covidien completes successful drug-coated balloon trial. More

> Inhalable chemo-carrying nanoparticles target lung cancer directly. Report

And Finally… A man in France has now died from a lethal coronavirus first identified last fall. The WHO says the virus is a threat to the world. Story