Saudis invest $93M on biotech; Dendreon outlines R&D cuts; Clarus claims win in PhIII; Nodality hires Laura Brege;

Conversations on Twitter :

 @FierceBiotech: In case you missed it last week, check out our 2012 Fierce 15 report: Report | BPA 2012 Slideshow | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: One of the two nucs Vertex licensed from Alios ($60M/$1.5B) turned out to be a dud. The other one is headed for PhII. Vertex release | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: My interview with Daphne Zohar on how Appeering distills smart banter in biotech from the Twitter hose. Story | Follow @RyanMFierce

> With an eye to building a biotech industry, the Saudis have invested $93 million in R&D, with a special focus on chemistry and nanotechnology. The numbers were reviewed at the Saudi International Biotechnology Conference in Riyadh. Story

> Dendreon ($DNDN) has outlined its plans to ax 145 of its workers in Seattle, including a number of R&D jobs. The job losses are part of the biotech company's earlier announced restructuring following disappointing results for Provenge. Story

> Clarus Therapeutics reports that its oral testosterone replacement therapy--CLR-610--achieved its primary endpoint in a Phase III study. Release

> The diagnostic company Nodality has hired Laura Brege, the former Onyx ($ONXX) COO, as its new chief executive officer. Report

> Hemispherx reports that the FDA has scheduled a panel review for Ampligen, which had earlier been rejected by the agency. The company's shares slid on the news. Story

> Following a 9-month delay, Cellceutix reports that it's ready to launch a Phase I study of its lead cancer drug. Report

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: J&J Hid Risks Risperdal Makes Boys' Breasts Grow: Lawyer--Bloomberg. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

> Reckitt to pull Suboxone tabs in favor of on-patent film version. News

> Stada lightens payroll load by 385 with Russian sell-off. More

> French arm-twisting prompts Sanofi to slash job-cuts target. Story

Medical Device News

 @FierceMedDev: Abbott Labs is launching its dissolvable coronary stent in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Release | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Bad breath bacteria could be a pancreatic cancer clue. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Frost & Sullivan says devicemakers must adjust to new pricing pressures to stay afloat. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Analysts: Devicemakers need to adapt to new economic reality. Article

> Apnex Medical snags $10M for apnea device. News

Pharma Manufacturing News

 @EricPFierce: Special report from FierceVaccines.com : 20 Top-selling Vaccines -- H1 2012. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

> Stada sells 2 plants in Russia. News

> Omkar expands its India API production. Article

Biotech Research News

> Roche, AstraZeneca lung cancer Rx beat Alzheimer's in fruit flies and mice. Article

> Constellation gains $7.5M to advance preclinical blood cancer drug. More

> Roswell Park researchers spot versatile cancer treatment. Story

> Natural killer cells may be key to lung cancer susceptibility. Item

And Finally… Some currently used cancer drugs proved effective against a pair of animal models for Alzheimer's. Release