Conversations on Twitter :
@FierceBiotech: ACRO decries TV portrayal of clinical. More | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Honey, we shrunk the biotech: Targacept cuts back (again). Release | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Life Technologies bought a bioinformatics group, Compendia, a U of Mich. spinoff. Terms undisclosed. More | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Last week Merck KGaA announced its third biotech spinout from the ashes of its Swiss operation on Lake Geneva. Asceneuron will get a package of preclinical Alzheimer's drugs along with 5 million euros from Merck Serono. Merck Serono Ventures will manage the investment and will be represented on the company's board of directors. Release
> Optimer Pharmaceuticals is selling its remaining interest in Optimer Biotechnology, a Taiwan affiliate, for $60 million. Optimer plans to use the cash to back marketing efforts for Dificid. Story
> Lundbeck and ImaginAb in Los Angeles will collaborate on reengineered antibodies which can tackle the blood-brain barrier for CNS drugs. Release
> The Financial Times covers the scramble among biotechs in the U.K. to find venture backing. Story
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: A head-scratcher for SEC: Pfizer reports U.S. loss, $15B in overseas profits. More | Follow @FiercePharma
> Should FDA get more power over compounding pharmacies? Report
> CEO exits as Cipla Medpro details 'gross misconduct' allegations. More
> Novartis CEO: No on megadeals, yes on dividend. Story
> Novo exec welcomes the Bristol-AZ diabetes blitz. Article
@FierceMedDev: U.S. regulators are worried about an off-label use of stents or balloons to treat MS. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: CareFusion acquires a Brazilian respiratory company. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Olympus Biotech is tossing its hat into the CMO ring. More | Follow @DamianFierce
> Wright looks to turn the page on kickback scandal. Story
> FDA issues safety alert for Stryker fluid drainage device. Item
CRO News
> Quintiles looks to Scotland for clinical trial growth. Article
> Icon partners with Korean CRO group. More
> Catalent, Parexel team up for trial supply. News
> Olympus Biotech jumps into CMO game. Story
Biotech IT News
> Oracle, IBM support $100M personalized medicine effort at UPMC. Article
> Biotech billionaire's supercomputer cuts cancer analysis to 47 seconds. Story
> 'Big Data' startup wins deal with Aptalis Pharma. More
And Finally… Contaminated steroid injections have been linked to a rare outbreak of cases of noncontagious meningitis. Story