Safety issues force halt to Ph3b Multaq study; Analyst looks for "home run" biotech data in second half;

@FierceBiotech: Amgen teams with NASA on a new biotech space mission. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech 

@JohnCFierce: Here's the PR on Merck Serono R&D shakeup. 1st step: divide pre- and post-PoC into dedicated groups. Release | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Sanofi slammed the brakes on a late-stage study of Multaq for permanent irregular heart beats after spotting a "significant increase in cardiovascular events." Sanofi's Chief Medical Officer Jean-Pierre Lehner said that "We remain committed to Multaq as an essential treatment option for non-permanent AF (atrial fibrillation) patients." Story

> JMP analyst Charles Duncan says some "home run" data hit by small biotechs in the second half of the year could drive some sharp spikes in share prices. Report

> Mesoblast says that the FDA has cleared its late-stage trial of a stem cell therapy that could improve the success of bone marrow transplants where no matched donor is available. Report

> UCSF has tapped Assistant Vice Chancellor Erik Lium, PhD, to lead the newly created Office of Innovation, Technology and Alliances. Release

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: GSK launches next revamp of sales rep pay. News | Follow @FiercePharma 

> Teva offers aid to U.K. pharmacies in Lipitor fight. Article

> Has $1B been wasted on J&J's heart drug Natrecor? Story

> Big Pharma asks FDA for clear off-label rules. Item

> Bayer joins social media follies with tweet apology. News

> Pfizer to shed vet unit, keep generics. Report

Vaccines News

> Inovio posts positive precinical HIV vax results. Report

> Medicago: PhII avian flu vax trial successful. News 

> Patient education needed for HPV vaccines, cancer screenings. Item 

> In final mission, space shuttle Atlantis carries vaccine research. Story 

> Funding supports Sorrento's staph infection work. Article

Manufacturing News 

> Regulator initiates EU-wide safety monitoring. Report 

> Novartis, Teva aid Russian police investigation. News 

> FDA bans Dr. Reddy's imports from Mexican plant. Article 

> Robotics seen as aid to re-shoring. Item 

> Tamiflu oral and Thyrogen updates on short supply list. News 

> Cadila cited for microorganism ID mishaps. Article 

And Finally... A group of scientists say that they've identified a group of "super" stem cells that make liver cancer a particularly tough disease to stop. Their work may help developers identify a better target for stopping the lethal cancer. Report