Google Ventures founder Bill Maris is turning his attention to healthcare and biotech, deepening its exposure to the life sciences industry with the backing--and bankroll--of parent company Alphabet ($GOOG). Speaking to Bloomberg, Maris said the firm plans to amp up its investments in biotech, embracing the high-risk, high-reward nature of drug development. And finding cash won't be an issue, he said. "I spend no time fundraising," Maris told Bloomberg. "Alphabet can give us as much money as we want. They can't give us time back, so we invest time even more carefully than money." Story
@FierceBiotech: Novartis buys EU rights to Pfizer's Remicade biosimilar, targeting Merck. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Google cool: I spend no time fundraising," Maris tells @CarolineYLChen. "Alphabet can give us as much $$ as we want. More from Bloomberg | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Early theme in responses to this poll: Men much more likely to get "stretch" jobs, be lauded for ambitious failures. ICYMI from FierceBiotech | Follow @DamianFierce
> Seattle startup M3 Biotechnology raised $10 million to advance its work in treatments for neurodegenerative disease. More
> Private biotech Ocugen signed a deal with the University of Illinois to license a potential treatment for ocular graft versus host disease. News
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: Scilex aims to dethrone Endo in billion-dollar pain subsegment using novel transdermal patch. FierceDrugDelivery story | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Big Pharma shells out big campaign dollars to presidential candidates. FiercePharma article | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> GV charts its own course with big bets on med tech: Bloomberg. Story
> SI-Bone's spinal fusion implant gains near-total Medicare coverage on back of strong studies. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Startup aims to match ailing pets with clinical trials that could help people, too. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Qualicaps snags Brazil's largest hard capsule maker. Will expand in Latin America from there. More from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Teva's Copaxone finally succumbs to copycats, putting a drag on 2015 sales. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo field backlash over Super Bowl OIC awareness ad. Story
> Burwell says HHS is considering 'march-in' on skyrocketing drug prices. Article
> Lilly suffers stinging defeat in EU patent battle over Alimta. Report