@FierceBiotech: Trending on FierceBiotechIT.com: GSK jumps new IT hurdles in 'real-world' test of blockbuster hopeful. Editor's Corner | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Celgene buys into upstart's new approach to evaluating cancer drugs- $13M upfront for Presage, a Jim Olson startup. More | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: With Humer stepping down, who should be Roche's next chairman? Seems unlikely to be CEO Schwan. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, a low profile startup based in Milford, MA, says it has nailed down a $10.5 million A round to back its new candidate for a future hepatitis C cocktail. The money is being earmarked for a Phase I study of SB 9200, designed to spur an immune response to hep C, which it believes should work well with the antivirals in development. Brock Securities led the round with participation from Gilford Securities. Release
> Roche ($RHHBY) won European approval for its breast cancer drug Perjeta, helping to build its case for making the therapy part of standard treatment for many breast cancer patients. Story
> The FDA has once again rejected Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) application to use Xarelto to treat acute coronary syndrome. Report
> Kythera reported positive interim results from its Phase III study of ATX-101, designed to reduce chin fat. Story
> Boehringer Ingelheim says that interim results for a Phase III cocktail therapy including faldaprevir (BI 201335) demonstrated that 80% of HCV/HIV co-infected patients achieved early treatment success. Release
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: No dice for proposed menopause meds at FDA. Reviewers say benefits of Depomed, Noven drugs are "marginal." Article | Follow @FiercePharma
> Longtime Roche chairman is stepping aside. Who's up next? Story
> Generics bite primary-care sales, but specialty drugs soar 18.4%. Report\
@FierceMedDev: Japan readies guidelines for Sequenom prenatal Down syndrome Dx. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: A Down syndrome Dx is about to hit the market in Japan with lots of restrictive guidelines to prevent misuse. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Dako has won FDA approval for its companion diagnostic for blockbuster hopeful Kadcyla. Article | Follow @DamianFierce
> Intuitive faces lawsuits over much-scrutinized da Vinci. Story
> Budget battles hold new FDA user fees hostage. Report
> GOP cadre fears device tax could target smartphones, tablets and apps. More
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Endo expands, upgrades Qualitest plant. Article
> GSK sues Hospira over vaccine deal gone bad. More
> Capsugel bags Encap for lipid technology. News
Biotech Research News
@EmilyMFierce: New target found for common pediatric brain tumor. Article | Follow @EmilyMFierce
> New target found for common pediatric brain tumor. Item
> Sarepta reports promising preclinical results for antibioterrorism drug. More
> Misshapen chemo drug particles may be better at targeting breast cancer. Article
> Sequester cuts come down heavy on scientific, medical research. Story
> Mouse neurons live longer than the brains they came from. Item
And Finally… A new study shows that schizophrenic patients with a particular version of the microRNA-137 gene (or MIR137), tended to develop the illness at a younger age and had distinct brain features--both associated with poorer outcomes--compared to patients who did not have this version. Release