Mallinckrodt buying Ikaria for $2.3B; Ironwood launches a new program;

@FierceBiotech: Biotech upstart Tricida banks $30M for its kidney drug with OrbiMed in tow. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Interested in Asian biopharma? Get the latest from @FiercePharmAsia. Newsletter | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Via @Reuters, it's March 5 and biopharma deal dollars have already topped 2011. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Mallinckrodt ($MNK) is paying $2.3 billion for Ikaria, a 2005 Fierce 15 honoree that has changed hands over the years and is now a specialist in critical-care drugs. News

> Ironwood Pharmaceuticals ($IRWD) has kicked off clinical development with IW-1973, a modulator of the enzyme sGC that the company believes has potential in a wide range of diseases. Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Micro-cap TearLab gets $35M in debt to get to breakeven on dry eye test . More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: @AdvaMedUpdate calls for more appropriate medical device reimbursement in Japan - FierceMedicalDevices. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: OpGen eyes IPO worth up to $37M for drug-resistant bacteria genetic Dx. FierceDiagnostics article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> AdvaMed calls for 'more appropriate' medical device reimbursement in Japan. News

> Startup raises $11.7M to make laparoscopic procedures clearer. Item

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: #ICYMI yesterday: $BMY leapfrogs Merck with Opdivo approval in lung cancer. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: MS Pharma in Jordan gets $30M development loan to expand its drug manufacturing. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: J&J, Merck to advance #Ebola vaccines in Africa, but their fate rests in WHO's hands. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Mallinckrodt ponies up $2.3B for Ikaria and its neonatal respiratory med. Article

> Oregon, Illinois join state crusade to limit patient copays. Story

Pharma Asia News

> Major policy shift on costs and safety views as China moves to lift price controls on drugs. News

> Denovo Biopharma eyes China trial of licensed Eli Lilly neuroscience drug. Article

> Indonesia gains momentum as drug firms eye second year of phased national insurance. Item

> Big Pharma bodies ask China FDA to review comparability in biosimilar approval guidelines. More

> Hutchison China MediTech eyes first modern drug approval in China next year with Eli Lilly candidate. Report

Vaccines News

> Pfizer scores new Prevenar indication in Europe. Article

> Bristol-Myers bets $1B on Bavarian Nordic cancer vaccine. News

> J&J, Merck to advance Ebola vaccines in Africa, but their fate rests in WHO's hands. Story

> With 77 layoffs, Valeant gets to work squeezing costs from Dendreon. Item

> Aduro, BMS cancer vaccine combo to start Phase II. Report

Pharma Manufacturing News

> FDA aims to disseminate drug shortage info through app. More

> Generic drugmaker snaps up Lockheed site with big expansion plans. Article

> Jordan's MS Pharma gets $30M to expand manufacturing there. Report

> FDA campaign against use of foreign-made cancer drugs rolls up another doctor. Story

> Patheon buys specialty API maker IRIX. News