Spark inks gene therapy deal with Genable; Exelixis gains EC approval;

@FierceBiotech: FDA review slams Novartis's case for beleaguered heart drug serelaxin. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: This is going to be another one of those weak Q1s for biotech VC. I guess the venture crowd is too busy skiing. Summer should be good, though. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Biogen cozies up to MIT with a $5.3M drug discovery pact. News | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Another gene linked to obesity. Story | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Spark Therapeutics, a spinout of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, has inked a collaboration deal with Ireland's Genable on the development of a new gene therapy for a rare eye disease. No terms were disclosed. Report

> The European Commission has approved Exelixis's ($EXEL) cabozantinib for adult patients with progressive, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: The Axonics CEO told FMD that $32.6M in Series A financing took 3 months. "We did not shop the deal," he said. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Who is the top med tech company in terms of revenue? Report | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: ICYMI: Alexza secures $45 million from investors based on U.S. Adasuve sales. Item from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Israeli medical devicemaker Brainsway developed a helmet to treat depression, sees a leap in revenue. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Stryker finalizes $120M deal with surgical sponge outfit. News

> NeuroPace's neurostimulation epilepsy implant is already making an impact. Item

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: AbbVie CEO's pay doubles to $18.2M in Abbott pharma spinoff's first solo year. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Top-read at FiercePharma: Tokyo hospital exec says Novartis employees deeply involved in leukemia-drug trial. Report | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: AmerisourceBergen global expansion continues with $100M deal for a 20% stake in Brazil's Profarma. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Sanofi reportedly jumps into $12B race for Merck's consumer unit. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> J&J releases more Doxil, its popular cancer med that has been dogged by supply issues. Article

> Even at a discount, Sanofi's pricey cancer drug Zaltrap can't win at NICE. More

Biotech Research News

> Public-private Japanese partnership invests $15M in infectious diseases. Story

> Mushroom-derived compound could stamp out HPV infection. More

> Antianxiety drugs lessen autism symptoms in mice. Item

> Amylin diabetes drug improves learning, memory in Alzheimer's mice. News

> Technique converts stem cells to muscle cells in high volumes. Report

> Knocking out gene reduces fat, extends lifespan in mice. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News