Geno Germano, Pfizer's ($PFE) head of innovative pharma, is leaving the company as it shifts its executive ranks in preparation for a $160 billion merger with Allergan ($ACT). Germano, who joined Pfizer through its 2009 acquisition of Wyeth, is being replaced by former vaccines and oncology chief Albert Bourla. Once the Allergan deal closes later this year, Pfizer will merge its innovative pharma division with vaccines and oncology, putting Bourla in charge of the whole business. The pharma giant plans to continue to run its operation in two segments--innovative drugs and generics--and promised to make a final decision on whether to break itself up by 2018. More
@FierceBiotech: Baxalta partner CTI plunges after FDA slaps partial hold on PhIII myelofibrosis drug. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: ICYMI: UPDATED: A patient in Akashi's suspended Duchenne MD trial dies. More | Follow @JohnCFierce
> CytRx ($CYTR) signed a loan agreement to borrow $40 million, cash that will help pay for the Phase III development of its souped-up chemotherapeutic aldoxorubicin. Item
> Despite tough market conditions, Big Biotechs Celgene ($CELG) and Gilead Sciences ($GILD) could soar in value this year, according to Barron's. News
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI: Nikon makes strategic investment in Thiel-backed cheap, safe handheld X-ray startup. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: PhRMA is planning on spending millions this year to clean up the drug industry's tarnished rep. More from the WSJ (sub. req.) | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> U.K. engineering company Halma purchases maker of real-time hospital monitors for $140M. Story
> Former BD CEO backs Velano Vascular in $3.5M for needle-free blood draw device. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Report: Veterinary prices rise modestly as clinics charge more for routine services. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: FDA shoots down Vertex's latest bid for Kalydeco expansion. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Doctors pounce on 'alarmist,' 'horrifying' Novartis heart-failure ad. More
> Takeda-Teva JV 'could be a trendsetter' as Japan pushes for generics: analyst. Story
Animal Health News
> Scientists pinpoint contributions pets can make to human medicine. Report
> Currency woes overshadow Merck's 2015 growth in animal health. Item
> UPenn veterinary students to star in new Animal Planet reality show. Story
> Report: Veterinary prices rise modestly as clinics charge more for routine services. More
> Stem cell therapy developed to treat dental disease in cats could also help people. Article
Biotech IT News
> 454 Life Sciences, Ion Torrent founder raises $40M for tech-enabled drug development shop. Report
> In silico discovery platform drives forward Bavarian Nordic's MRSA vaccine program. More
> Buzz: Roche weighing up bid for Pacific Biosciences. Item
> U.K. looks to house software developers at planned cancer research hub. Story
> Illumina signs biobank deals to fuse genome data, EMRs. Article
Pharma Marketing News
> Docs take aim at Novartis' 'horrifying' Entresto ad. Article
> Valeant, AstraZeneca played the Super Bowl ad game, but did they win? Item
> GSK's slow-off-the-blocks Anoro gets a leg up from Incruse sidekick. Story
> Omega diet-aid ad banned in U.K.; summer slimming promos not 'socially responsible.' Article
> 'Safe' social network LinkedIn emerges as popular marketing tool for pharma. Report