Pharma M&A up 500% in Q1; Lexicon advancing diabetes drug;

@FierceBiotech: Special report: Which Big Biotechs are hitting the gas pedal on R&D spending? Feature | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Looks like Takeda management maybe in for more changes. The numbers are awful. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: My story on how industry legend Henri Termeer rediscovers the 'Genzyme feel' in world of biotech startups. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Hutchison China MediTech is planning to license its cancer treatment fruquintinib, which is based on traditional Chinese medicines. Story

> Santarus ($SNTS) has unveiled a secondary underwritten public offering of 4,250,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $18.25 per share on behalf of shareholder Cosmo Technologies. Release

> Salix has made an appeal to the FDA for a July 2012 complete response letter for an sNDA for subcutaneous Relistor methylnaltrexone to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with non-cancer pain. Item

> The ALS Emergency Treatment Fund and Denovo Biomarkers have formed a partnership to look for genomic biomarkers that correlate with ALS patients' responsiveness to treatment. Release

> Lexicon Pharmacueticals ($LXRX) is advancing its drug LX4311 to a Phase II clinical trial in patients with type 1 diabetes. Release

> The value of pharmaceutical M&A in Q1 2013 was up more than 500% from the same quarter a year ago, according to a new PwC report. More

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Boston Scientific: Watchman beats warfarin in follow-up. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Nanostim's leadless pacer has had some success in early human trials. Future buyer St. Jude Medical must be pleased. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: St. Jude: Independent analysis says Durata leads are safe, reliable. Report | Follow @DamianFierce

> CareFusion's revenue slips 2%. Item

> U.K. pair challenges earlier finding that substandard PIP breast implants were safe. Report

> Quest settles New York case over illegal hiring practices. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: WSJ: J&J's multibillion-$$ Risperdal settlement snags on breast side effects. $JNJ worried a/b civil suits. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

 @EricPFierce: Pharma M&A way up in Q1 2013 compared to a year ago. Value up more than 500%. Feature | Follow @EricPFierce

> AbbVie, Pfizer's Zoetis deals ignite enormous leap in M&A value. Report

> Motherhood at center of Merck gender bias suit. Article

> Amgen forges Chinese JV for Vectibix. Story

And Finally… NIH's 2013 budget is out. As expected, sequestration chopped the agency's budget by $1.55 billion to a total of $29.15 billion for the year, a 5% cut. Story