In small study, BMS combo hep C drug works without interferon; Pfizer app rejected; Bessemer closes $1.6B fund;

 @FierceBiotech: Ahead of panel, FDA staffers back Optimer's antibiotic fidaxomicin. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech 

 @JohnCFierce:  Tranzyme raised $48M in its IPO, but only after almost tripling the no. of shares and slashing the price. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Bristol-Myers Squibb reports that a small study of a new therapy that combines two experimental hepatitis C drugs was positive, offering new hope to patients who can't tolerate interferon. Story

> The FDA has handed back Pfizer's new drug app for tafamidis, a new drug for a rare neurodegenerative disorder. According to regulators, the application was incomplete. Story

> Bessemer Venture has closed on a $1.6 billion global fund for emerging tech companies. Bessemer has been an active player in the biotech arena. Story

> Bavarian Nordic plans to raise $123 million to pursue late-stage studies of its prostate cancer vaccine Prostvac. Report

> Tobira Therapeutics names Andrew Hindman as its new CEO. Report

> Minneapolis-based Techne has struck a deal to buy Boston Biochem for cash. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Will KV's 55% Makena price cut satisfy critics? Item |  Follow @FiercePharma

> Analysts: Expect more hostile bids in pharma. Report

> Sanofi finishes Genzyme deal, weighs name change. Story

> Finding the source of J&J's river of woe. News

> Novartis chief continues cost-cutting drive. Article

> GSK suffers sales-rep poaching in China, India. Item

> Pfizer offloads Capsugel unit for $2.38B. Report

Biotech IT News

> Medidata opens kimono for clinical trial cost study. Report

> AstraZeneca talks up ePRO tech. News 

> Necessity driving leery pharma "open". Item

> AMAG Pharma opts for cloud over internal infrastructure. Article 

Medical Device News

> Medtronic prevails over Boston Sci in patent suit. Item

> Emerge to target $2B orthopedic trauma market with generic implants. News 

> Abbott reports good news from Absorb study. Report 

> Quest Diagnostics completes Athena buy. Story

> St. Jude's Starks sees 2010 compensation rise 19%. Report 

> SMT raises $10.5M for embolic protection device. News 

And Finally...Sanofi-Aventis is looking to streamline its name. The company is considering dropping Aventis and sticking with Sanofi. Report