@FierceBiotech: VC report: Rounds get fatter as the number of deals shrinks. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Any price controls that are adopted at Medicare will be instantly applied by private payers; making this a top lobbying issue for biopharma. Follow @JohnCFierce
> Following the abrupt and unexplained departure of Novavax CEO Rahul Singhvi last week, the San Francisco Business Times has detailed the pay package that awaits new CEO Stan Erck, who resigned as chairman to take the helm of the company. Citing SEC documents, the business weekly noted that Erck will get a $400,000 annual salary and be eligible for a bonus of up to $200,000. Story
> The FDA has approved Horizon Pharma's Duexis, a combination of ibuprofen and famotidine, the active ingredient in Pepcid. The new drug is designed to relieve pain while reducing the risk of ulcers. Report
> Mass High Tech reports that Mersana Therapeutics has raised $6 million of a $10 million venture round. The developer recently began a Phase Ib study of a new cancer treatment. Story
> John Curd, a well known Bay Area biotech veteran, has died. Curd was president and CMO of Threshold Pharmaceuticals. Story
> XenoPort says it has reached agreement with the FDA on the trial design for its late-stage study of an experimental MS drug. Report
> A.P. Pharma has raised $4.5 million and named John Whelan as its new CEO. Story
> Sequella and Maxwell Biotech Venture Fund announced their agreement to complete the clinical development and commercialize SQ109 for treatment of tuberculosis in the Russian Federation and neighboring Commonwealth of Independent States countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. Release
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Results of Avastin-Lucentis match-up due May 1. News | Follow @FiercePharma
> Amgen's all grown up now, paying dividends. News
> FDA: Tysabri risks greatest during year 3. Report
> AZ decides to tear down three HQ buildings. Article
> Sun to market Merck diabetes drugs in India. Item
> Studies highlight clot risk with Bayer pills. Story
> Supreme Court to hear data-mining arguments. Report
Biotech IT News
> Layoffs target Genzyme Genetics IT workers, others. Story
> PLoS highlights online DNA "encyclopedia." Report
> Informatics firm Humedica raises $20M. Article
> "Biopunk" illuminates world of bio-hackers. News
> Study: EMRs could aid in disease research. Item
> PatientsLikeMe study challenges prior ALS claims. Report
Medical Device News
> Photologic goes into liquidation. Story
> FDA OKs Boston Sci's ION stent system. Report
> Gore: First patient enrolled in ascites study. News
> GPO Novation signs Biotronik. Item
> Jury awards St. Jude $2.3B in trade secrets case. Story
> NMT's liquidation could mean end of libel case. News
And Finally... Anti-depressants may help spur the creation and survival of new brain cells after brain injury, according to a study by neurosurgeons at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Report