Kforce unloads clinical research business; Illumina urging Roche rejection;

@FierceBiotech: RNAi, smuggled in a virus, weakens tumors before final radiation blow. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Note to pessimists: Maybe the sky isn't falling. Thoughts on the VC apocalypse. Piece | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Versant Ventures has named Roche vet Guido Magni a venture partner to aid Euro life sciences practice. Release | Follow @RyanMFierce

@FierceMedDev: White House OKs medical device act. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

>  Staffing company Kforce is selling its clinical research business to CRO InVentiv Health for $50 million in cash and will focus instead on its core business, Reuters reports. Story

> Illumina ($ILMN) is urging stockholders at its April 18 annual meeting to reject Roche's ($RHHBY) unsolicited offer for the molecular diagnostics company. Release

> The FDA is voicing safety concerns over Talon Therapeutics' Mariqbo drug for associated peripheral neuropathy, because 15 patients have died during clinical trials, biotech analyst Adam Feuerstein Tweeted. Story

> NicOx SA stock jumped 11% last week, reaching the biggest weekly gain ever in Paris trading, Bloomberg reports, based on optimism over mid-stage clinical trial results for a glaucoma drug licensed to Bausch & Lomb. Story

> Canadian biotech QLT gained U.S. orphan drug status for Visudyne, which it is testing to treat chronic or recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy. The drug is already approved to treat age-related macular degeneration. Story

> Provectus Pharmaceuticals says it generated top line Phase I data in the first randomized controlled trial for its psoriasis treatment. Release

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Pharma opportunity: Figure out how to get women to adhere to scripts, and docs to prescribe to women on par with men. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Abbott execs take pay cuts, but White still nabs $24M. More

> Treatment gap: Women get fewer standard heart drugs. Story

> Roche exec expects 'limited' rebound for pharma. Article

IT News

> Stanford algorithm uncovers drug side effects. Story

> Biomatters taps Ammundsen as CEO. Item

> GSK strikes deal to listen in on social media chatter. Article

> Medidata lauded on Wall Street; CEO takes shot at rival Oracle. More

Medical Device News

> Kensey Nash, St. Jude wrap up Angio-Seal dispute. Article

> Akili envisions video game as therapeutic device. Item

> Covidien scoops up pulmonary devicemaker for $300M. News

> i2Eye jumps into visual testing world. Story

And Finally... Guido Magni is joining Versant Ventures as a venture partner with a focus on innovative startups. He previously managed EuroVentures, a Versant biotech incubator. Release