Puma touts neratinib's promise in breast cancer; Novartis cancer drug flunks Phase III;

@FierceBiotech: EuroBiotech: Shire steps up arGEN-X alliance, Big Pharma gives MRC drugs, Woodford backs Midatech IPO. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@DamianFierce: $BMRN's buyout subs are called Falcons and Giants, which could be an NFL thing or a ref to some obscure fantasy novel. More  | Follow @DamianFierce

> Puma Biotechnology's ($PBYI) in-development neratinib notched a 30% response rate in Phase II breast cancer trial with diarrhea, a nagging side effect for the drug, showing up as a dose-limiting toxicity. More

> Novartis' ($NVS) plan to expand the indication for the cancer drug Afinitor came up short as the drug failed to significantly beat out placebo in a Phase III trial on HER2-positive breast cancer. Story

> Alnylam ($ALNY) is talking up its pipeline of RNAi therapeutics, part of its "5x15" strategy through which it plans to expand the applications for its proprietary technology. Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: DARPA's ElectRx seeks innovators to transform neuromodulation devices. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: #India's NPPA extends pricing policy on drugs, adding fuel to price cap fire. Story  | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Judge advises Bard to settle vaginal mesh implant cases. Article

> Strong one-year data for Boston Scientific chronic pain implant, but reimbursement change stymies sales. More

> FDA works to improve medical device approval times. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Kansas State researchers model U.S. outbreak of foot-and-mouth. Story  | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: I think BOLERO-1 might be my favorite trial name ever. Release | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> India's NPPA extends pricing policy on drugs, adding fuel to price cap fire. News

> No pharma companies will get Danone's medical nutrition biz, because it is not for sale. More

> Novartis' bid to widen Afinitor's breast cancer reach falls short in PhIII. Story