Chase Pharmaceuticals, which is helmed by ex-Allergan ($AGN) president Doug Ingram, has raised $12 million, according to a filing with the SEC. The startup is working on a therapy that can be used to allow for higher doses of donepezil in treating Alzheimer's patients. The company has been keeping a low profile so far, and its website is largely a placeholder for what's being planned. Ingram was named CEO back in late 2015. Filing
@FierceBiotech: Sanofi hires research veteran to 'rejuvenate' its R&D division. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: This Merck/Harvard preclinical deal was my no.1 biotech story last week. Which is cool. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Shares of San Diego-based Trovagene ($TROV) took a dive after the company terminated CEO Antonius Schuh and CFO Stephen Zaniboni and filed a complaint on breach of fiduciary duty. Trovagene alleged that Schuh and Zaniboni "failed to present a lucrative corporate opportunity to Trovagene concerning promising new therapeutics in the field of precision medicine and instead took that opportunity for their own personal benefit." Release
> Keryx ($KERX) reported today that ferric citrate successfully treated iron deficiency among chronic kidney disease patients not yet on dialysis in a late-stage study. Shares spiked on the news. Story
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: Former Apple exec leading consumer-focused wellness blood testing startup Cor. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Veracyte brings in $45M to spur growth for molecular diagnostics business. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Rock West Medical scores $1.25M to advance ingestible endoscope. Article
> Affymetrix spurns bid by former execs in favor of $1.3B offer from Thermo Fisher. Report
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Could J&J get an image boost from new health-oriented research? Experts say yes. FiercePharmaMarketing story | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Construction begins on Novo Nordisk's first US, API plant and first outside of Denmark. Report from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Looking for a respiratory edge, Boehringer teams with Propeller to test 'smart inhaler' for adherence. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> In surprise decision, FDA blocks crucial cognitive claim for Takeda's Brintellix. Story
> Astellas cancer med Xtandi draws fire as U.S. lawmakers demand a pricing hearing. Article
Drug Delivery News
> On top of strong efficacy data, Alder migraine med shows potential for differentiated drug delivery. Item
> FDA encourages generic abuse-deterrent opioids in latest effort to tackle prescription drug abuse. Report
> Vygon opens Portuguese plant for manufacture of oncology devices that deliver chemotherapy. Story
> Capsugel eyeing IPO or sale for $5B+; Bayer, Danaher, Thermo Fisher and others interested. More
> Antibiotics get a boost from stabilizing frog foam delivery. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> FDA cites Lupin Indian plants for what drugmaker calls 'minor' issues. More
> PuraCap gets Puerto Rico plant with buyout of Blu Pharmaceuticals. Report
> Natco plant closed during floods written up by FDA. Story
> Novo starts construction on $1.8B plant in U.S. Article
> Boehringer Ingelheim snags second client for its China CMO operation. Item
Pharma Asia News
> Samsung Bioepis offers a glimpse at biosimilar manufacturing prowess. More
> Biocon wins key Japan approval for Lantus biosimilar. Story
> South Korean startup biotechs gain government, banking funding lift. Article
> Prosecutors heap more woe on OBI Pharma as 'insider trader' investigation deepens. Report
> India releases guidelines on biosimilar approval, manufacturing. Item