MannKind makes progress with PhIII recruitment for inhaled insulin; Russian VC backs study of drug from Oxagen;

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 @FierceBiotech: Sanofi stands up for diabetes therapy in crowded GLP-1 contest. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Anacor gets an antibiotic back from Glaxo after microbiological resistance was seen in a study. Worthless now. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Takeda builds up new vaccine unit with $60M LigoCyte buyout, with interview quotes. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

> MannKind ($MNKD) reports that it has wrapped up recruitment for two late-stage studies of its inhaled insulin candidate Afrezza. Release

> Reuters published an interview of Harvey Berger, the CEO of the closely watched cancer drug developer Ariad Pharmaceuticals ($ARIA). Interview

> Maxwell Biotech Venture Fund is backing Russian biotech Eleventra as the recently formed company develops a product called OC459 from the U.K. developer Oxagen. Details

> OncoMed is advancing an antibody called OMP-59R4 from German biotech MorphoSys to a Phase Ib/II study to treat pancreatic cancer. OncoMed is partnered with GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) on the program. Item

> Newly formed Katama Pharmaceuticals in San Diego has licensed North American rights to a proprietary tolperisone formulation from Sanochemia. Release

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Takeda continues buying spree, picks up LigoCyte. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Australia Mayne Pharma buying SC-based CDMO Metrics for $105 million plus milestone. More | Follow @EricPFierce

> J&J settles Risperdal cases, avoiding former FDA commish's testimony. Story

> NICE reverses position on new use for Novartis' Lucentis. More

Medical Device News

 @FierceMedDev: Renal denervation's not just for hypertension--docs say it could help diabetics, too. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Ilex will sell Novartis' blood test Dx kits in 16 African countries. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: According to a new study, women fare worse with stents than men. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Given Imaging grabs SmartPill Corp. for $6M. Story

> New math models aid artifical pancreas development. Item

And Finally… Drug delivery specialist Orexo of Sweden has tapped a financial consultant to help the company seek "strategic alternatives." Article