Merck KGaA taps Wellcome for cancer R&D; Synlogic banks $5M for microbiome research;

@FierceBiotech: Every year Women in Biotech gets a ton of readers, and this issue is no exception. Trending nicely. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: In a surprise move, Bristol-Myers drops U.S. approval plans for hep C drug. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: CRO INC Research files for a $150M IPO, following in the footsteps of $Q, $CTLT and PRA. SEC filing | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Programmed antibiotics kill drug-resistant bacteria. More from FierceBiotech Research | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Merck KGaA is collaborating with London's Institute of Cancer Research and the Wellcome Trust to develop two cancer candidates targeting the PARP pathway. News

> Microbiomics outfit Synlogic has closed a $5 million A round, bringing in cash from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation alongside seeders Atlas Venture and New Enterprise Associates. More

> Second Genome has struck a deal with the Mayo Clinic to collaborate on microbiomic treatments for up to 8 indications, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and colorectal cancer. Item

> Northwest Biotherapeutics ($NWBO) has signed a deal to raise $11.5 million by selling new shares to an existing shareholder for $5.05 each. Release

> Biotech accelerator Allied Minds has launched Novare Pharmaceuticals, a new company focused on developing treatments for inflammatory disease. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Optos, NHS and academia in $16M partnership for eye disease diagnostic. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Larry Wood of Edwards "Everybody's embarrassed that we were the 43rd country to get TAVR." Around same time as Brazil, Albania. | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Scalability and cost could be potential hurdles to bringing experimental CAR T-cell therapies to patients. More from the WSJ | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@MichaelGFierce: From our Women in Biotech Feature: Adelene Perkins of $INFI says, "Our endeavor is by definition a team sport." More | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> NanoString teams up with Brigham and Women's Hospital for cancer Dx development. More

> Unilife inks 15-year deal with Sanofi for wearable injectors. Story

> GE promotes biz dev exec to head healthcare. Report

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Top-read special report Monday: Top 10 pharma companies by employees - 2014. Feature | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: One more time: Our latest special report, Top women in biotech 2014. Good stuff right here. Feature | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Report: Financial conflicts sway studies of flu fighters Tamiflu and Relenza. More

> Sovaldi may be cost-effective, but the U.K. can't afford it, documents say. Article

Biotech Research News

> NIH doles out first $46M round of BRAIN Initiative grants. Report

> Gene therapy technique could treat rare lung disease. More

> Programmed antibiotics kill drug-resistant bacteria. Story

> Ebola genome browser launched to aid drug discovery. Article

> $19M in FDA grants will support rare disease research. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Cipla works with partner to build a manufacturing plant in Iran. More

> West Pharmaceutical confirms it's building $126M facility in Ireland. Story

> Patheon to add almost 500 jobs over 5 years as it expands in NC. Article

> India's IPCA buys plant as it deals with FDA issues. Item

> New FDA concerns arise for Hospira plant in Australia. Report