The $50 billion Alaska Permanent Fund, which handles the state's oil wealth, has invested $280 million in three biotechs: Juno ($JUNO), Denali and Codiak. And a story from Bloomberg's Doni Bloomfield notes that it works in the belief that patience is a competitive virtue when it comes to the life sciences. Interesting fact: All three startups it helped foster bear names linked to Alaska, which is far from the beaten track in biotech. Story
@FierceBiotech: Still licking Duchenne wounds, BioMarin makes an early run at Batten drug OK. More | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Syndax braves a market tempest in second IPO try, scores a $53M raise. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce
> A new MIT spinout called Ribon Therapeutics is getting off the ground with plans to raise $21 million and develop cancer drugs targeting the PARP pathway, Xconomy reports. More
> Heron Therapeutics ($HRTX) is expecting a final FDA decision on its treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting by early April after a pair of agency delays. News
> The head of Valeant Pharmaceuticals' ($VRX) embattled dermatology division abruptly resigned as the company faces mounting scrutiny and an SEC investigation. Story
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: IBM Watson unveils its first Apple ResearchKit effort with massive, patient-designed sleep study. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: New York AG launches probe into insurers' coverage of hep C drugs--or lack thereof. More from FiercePharma | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> FDA approves Gore's endoprosthesis for iliac artery aneurysms. Story
> J&J Depuy does a pair of deals, one to treat disc degeneration and another for bundled payments. More
> Medtronic's disappointing earnings highlight challenge posed by currency headwinds. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Dancing bladders and football-helmeted toenails have FDA questioning cartoons in DTC ads. More from FiercePharmaMarketing | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: Don't give up on generic Copaxone, despite Teva's aggressive brand defense: Momenta CEO. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Head of Valeant's embattled dermatology unit exits in management shakeup. Article
> Trump's healthcare plan backs drug reimportation, but leaves out Medicare price negotiation. More
> Court document accuses J&J, Bayer of keeping mum about Xarelto lab data. Item
Pharma Manufacturing News
> McKesson extends its Canada supply chain reach with $2.23B deal for Rexall chain. Report
> Another of AmerisourceBergen's Pharmedium facilities cited by FDA. Story
> Bayer spending $2.7B on capacity expansion, outgoing CEO says. Article
> Essentra adding jobs in Wales with pharma packaging facility. More
> CutisPharma adds drug manufacturing to its operations. Item
CRO News
> Infinity taps CRO Pharm-Olam for a Phase II lymphoma study. Report
> PRA eyes double-digit growth in 2016 after a banner revenue year. Story
> Chinese CRO R&G buys into Medidata's trial tech. News
> Medpace signs on to help Actinium get its cancer drug into Phase III. More
> Synexus buys Research Across America, gaining first access to the U.S. Article
Pharma Asia News
> China's Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical eyes RMB3B bond issue. Report
> AstraZeneca moves quickly to shed another noncore drug in ProStrakan deal. Item
> HK-based Chi-Med doses first patient in China PhII thyroid cancer trial of sulfatinib. More
> South Korea's Yuhan finds U.S. partner Sorrento for immune checkpoint antibodies JV. Story
> Americas units of Japan's Olympus hit with penalties of $623M in kickback probe. Article