SkyePharma lays off 20 at research center; Aeras to collaborate with China National on TB vaccines;

@FierceBiotech: Merck's head dealmaker Pomerantz says his co. "will do what it takes" to lead race for hep C combo therapies. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Canaan Partners adds $200M in venture funds for life sciences. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@MarkHFierce: St. Jude ($STJ) expects to launch a second-generation neuromodulation treatment for some migraines in Europe in Q2 2012--"a big growth driver." | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MaureenFierce: Wake Forest kicks off PhII study of ICT-107, a brain cancer vaccine that "acts like bloodhound to locate cancer cells." Article | Follow @MaureenFierce

@RyanMFierce: Check out @Reuters graphic on shrinking DNA sequencing costs. Nothing really new in there, but remarkable. Graphic | Follow @RyanMFierce

> SkyePharma says it will cut about 20 workers at its research center in Switzerland.  Aenova plans to sublet part of the space and may hire a few of the workers who are being laid off. Story

> Rockville, MD-based Aeras and the China National Biotec Group struck a deal to jointly develop new tuberculosis vaccines. Release

> Switzerland's Telormedix, which has been working on TLR7 agonists in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, raised 7.5 million CHF from existing investors Aravis Venture and Proquest Investments. Release

> Cambridge, MA-based Epizyme scored a $4 million milestone in its alliance with Eisai. Release

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: From WSJ, a nice look at the shift in #pharma sales strategies, now that 33K reps have seen the ax. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> FDA: Endo opioids may be mixed in Novartis OTC packages. Report

> Lilly's Lechleiter sees pharma clouds abroad. Story

> Study flags risk of heart attack, ACS in Pradaxa patients. Article

Biotech Research News

> Genetic mutations discovered in non-smoking lung cancer patients. Article

> Low-intensity electromagnetic fields shrink liver cancer tumors. More

> Breakthrough trial protects monkeys from HIV-like virus. Story

> Scientists deduce gene that may contribute to major depression. News

> Injection of young stem cells boosts vitality in prematurely aging mice. Piece

Manufacturing News

> Novartis recall hints at regulatory snowball. More

> Parents allege J&J's excess-API Tylenol killed son. Story

> USP suits up for pedigree challenge. Article

> Genzyme's new plant to boost Fabrazyme supply. News

> Xoma cuts manufacturing to feed R&D. Story

And Finally... Chinese officials say they're putting a stop to the unauthorized and possibly dangerous use of stem cell treatments in the country. Report