Pfizer finishes Icagen buyout; PacBio taps Hunkapiller for exec chairman post;

 

 @FierceBiotech: Vertex advancing all-oral Hep C pipeline amid big 3Q profits. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Keryx kidney drug fails study (from yesterday). More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Mike Hunkapiller starting new exec chairman role at struggling PacBio. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

 

> ATLAB Pharma and BZL Biologics have struck of a sublicense deal to advance a radiopharmaceutical product called 177Lu -J591 for treating certain cases of prostate cancer. Release

> In its third-quarter earnings announcement, Merck said that its R&D expenses for the quarter dropped 16%. Release

> Amid slumping sales of its new DNA sequencing system, Pacific Biosciences ($PACB) tapped its board member Mike Hunkapiller to be executive chairman. Story

> Quintiles made its third acquisition in the past two weeks with the buyout of Advion BioServices, a bio-analytical lab services outfit. Report

> Pfizer ($PFE) has wrapped up its purchase of pain medicine developer Icagen. Item

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Back-to-school sales of Shire's ADHD meds help boost Q3 sales by 24% Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> FDA study: Newer contraceptives carry higher risks. Article

> KV Pharma, ex-chief wrestle over roots of 2008 crisis. Story

> Chinese pharma eyes opportunity in U.S., U.K. News

> Regional pharma suffers most from European turmoil. Report

> Pradaxa hit with pre-treatment screening advice. Item

Special Report Round-up

 

> 10 Promising Therapeutic Vaccines. Report

> 5 unusual medtech logos. Report

> 15 top blockbuster contenders. Report

> 10 largest U.S. patent losses. Report

> Biotech's 5 key attacks on pancreatic cancer. Report

> 5 device/diagnostic companies to watch. Report

> Top 10 Standout CMOs. Report

> 5 emerging biotech IT firms to watch. Report

 

And Finally... New efforsts in the Bay Area could address a lack of funding for new science while fitting the do-more-with-less trend in biotech. Item