StemCells slashes staff and halts an ocular program; Microlin pulls off a reverse merger;

@FierceBiotech: Columbia U. scientists spotlight a promising proteasome approach in preventing Alzheimer's. FierceBiotechResearch article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: I don't get to mention baseball much in my work. Today I get the Mets. More from FierceBiotechResearch | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: hashtag infinitesimal innovation. More from Forbes | Follow @DamianFierce

> StemCells ($STEM) is laying off 25% of its staff and halting the development of a Phase II macular degeneration trial, shifting its focus to a treatment for chronic spinal cord injury. More

> Microlin Bio has backed its way onto Wall Street, reverse merging with American Boarding Company to trade on the OTC market under the symbol "AMIB." News

> Arizona biotech Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals is looking to pull off a $29 million IPO to fund its work on treatments for colorectal cancer. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Study: Boston Sci's Watchman more cost-effective than drugs in the long term. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Olympus played down early report of superbug infections linked to duodenoscope devices. Report | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@VarunSaxena2: UPDATED: Medical device tax suspended in $1.8T federal budget. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

> Italian orthopedic implant maker Lima trades hands from one investor to another. Story

> U.K. scientists roll out computer program for drug-resistant bacteria Dx. Report

> Theranos blows its top over WSJ reports on proprietary testing. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Sun Pharma said to be in talks to buy Intas for $2.3B. FiercePharmaAsia report | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Bulgarian vet drug company Huvepharma picks up 3 plants from Zoetis for $40M. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: With FDA nod, Actelion adds blockbuster hopeful Uptravi to PAH portfolio. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Amgen's PCSK9 outcomes trial to deliver data sooner than expected. Item

> Doctors target Catalyst Pharma's forthcoming pricing on old-turned-new med Firdapse. Report

> Celgene opens door for early launch of Revlimid generics. Article

Biotech Research News

> Moneyball's analytics wiz DePodesta joins Scripps' Big Data team. News

> Transatlantic research team spotlights promise of mTOR drugs for follicular lymphoma. Report

> An intriguing anti-aging drug target may also work on PTSD. Story

> Candidate Clinton calls for $2B in annual Alzheimer's R&D support. Item

> Columbia U. scientists spotlight a promising proteasome approach in preventing Alzheimer's. Article

Vaccines News

> In $171M deal, Bavarian Nordic and J&J's Janssen extend efforts to HPV. More

> GlaxoSmithKline launched new e-commerce platform for vaccines, pharma products. Story

> Vaxart initiates PhI trial of oral influenza B vaccine. Item

> European MERS vaccine effective in camels. Report

> Sanofi's dengue vaccine gets first Asian approval with more discussions underway. Article

Pharma Marketing News

> Going beyond smiling, happy patients: Is better creative on the pharma horizon? More

> Celgene buries the hatchet with India's Natco over generic Revlimid. Item

> Price and reputation are indubitably, inexorably intertwined. Report

> Outcome-based healthcare needs outcome-based marketing. Article

> Pharma marketers steer through changing tides. Story