PPD shareholders approve PE buyout; NPS Pharma files NDA for Gattex;

 @FierceBiotech: Study: MDs often asked for alternative vaccine schedules. Item | Follow@FierceBiotech

 @RyanMFierce: Dutch-Belgian biotech arGEN-X (antibody discovery) bagged $37M in B round co-led by OrbiMed and Seventure PR. Release | Follow@RyanMFierce

 @MaureenFierce: Novartis MS pill Gilenya rejected by U.K. health-cost agency. Report | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Contract research outfit PPD ($PPDI) said that its shareholders have approved a merger plan involving The Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman on Wednesday. Release

> Celldex Therapeutics ($CLDX) said Thursday that the company has begun a Phase III clinical trial of its drug rindopepimut in certain patients with a form of brain cancer called glioblastoma. Release

> NPS Pharmaceuticals has submitted a New Drug Application with the FDA for its experimental treatment Gattex for short bowel syndrome. The Bedminster, NJ-based developer is also seeking priority review for its drug application. Item

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Guess this was inevitable: Senators start poking around in Pfizer's Lipitor-at-generic-price deals - NYTArticle | Follow@FiercePharma

> Merck, Pfizer well-placed for spinoff benefits. Report

> CEO: Roche would consider more money-back deals. News

> NICE rejects Novartis MS pill despite cost cut. Article

> Senators, Watson chief question Pfizer's Lipitor deals. Item

Vaccines News

> Misconceptions stymie HIV vaccine trials. Report

> For stronger vaccines, pay attention to carbohydrates. Article

> China preps for big push into vaccine market. News

> Study: MDs often asked for alternative vaccine schedules. Item

Manufacturing News

> Police net $8 million in counterfeit drugs. News

> Ranbaxy drama shows manufacturing impact on pharma business. Report

> Fujifilm presses biosimilars ambition. Item

> GSK a step closer to becoming energy provider. News

> Analyst: Hospira manufacturing woes possibly systemic. Report

> Contamination concern rises about CMOs. News

And Finally... For all the remarkable strides made in making DNA sequencing faster and cheaper, groups often end up transporting data on sequenced genomes via FedEx. Article