Sweden's InDex raises $20M for PhIII ulcerative colitis drug; GSK hunts for academic partners;

@FierceBiotech: Sanofi grabs a discovery pact with gut expert Ardelyx in $198M deal. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Have to wonder about these bullish peak sales forecasts on dulaglutide. Are patients ready to switch based on easier dosing? | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: InterMune trading up 150% premarket. Here's why. | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Global tuberculosis R&D takes hit with AstraZeneca site closure. News | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Sweden's InDex Pharmaceuticals says it has raised $20 million in a new round led by NeoMed. InDex plans to report Phase III data on Kappaproct, which is being developed for the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis. Release

> GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) is kicking off its second contest for academic drug hunters, calling for research proposals in the 2014 Discovery Fast Track Challenge, through which investigators have the chance to translate their early-stage research into GSK development programs. Release

> AstraZeneca's VP of global communications, Neil McCrae, is off to join the Royal Mail. Story

> Cambridge, MA-based Verastem ($VSTM) says it has acquired the license to VS-4718 held originally by Poniard Pharmaceuticals. Release

> New York's Dipexium Pharmaceuticals has set terms for a $30 million IPO, planning to use the haul to develop a late-stage antibiotic treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. More

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Boston Scientific is trying to nip at Medtronic's heels, as far as neuromodulation goes. Has it been successful? Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: St. Jude Medical may not be #1 in neuromodulation, but it is pushing hard to get there. Report | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: An FDA panel wants to change iontophoresis drug delivery regulation. More (reg. req) | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Practice Fusion is teaming up with medical device companies to provide "real-time" accounts of patient health. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Volcano moves the bar a notch higher for 2014 as restructuring continues. Story

> MIT, Apple and others help shape Quanttus' wearable clinical monitoring tech. More

> India moves closer to approving key medical device legislation. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: AbbVie, Amgen and Roche most vulnerable to biosim rivals, Moody's says. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: With new study, Pfizer closes in on $1B-plus sales boost for #Prevnar vaccine. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: No sooner does Commish Hamburg return from India than the FDA reveals a new warning letter about data faking there. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Vivus beats the street on licensing payments, but investors aren't fooled. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> U.K. drug reviewers slam BMS' melanoma blockbuster but bless J&J's diabetes pill. More

> The Vasella era ends as Novartis says goodbye to his policies--or is it good riddance? News

Pharma Manufacturing News

> The FDA catches another Indian drugmaker falsifying data. News

> Ranbaxy halts production at 2 plants to tackle its regulatory mess. Story

> The FDA has expanded its equivalency testing of generics. Article

> GSK vows to maintain soccer fields in new U.K. plant. Story

> Hamburg says FDA's focus on India reflects its place in the global supply chain. Story

> Pfizer and MIT are looking for more efficient biologics manufacturing. Brief

Biotech Research News

> Gene therapy regenerates damaged tissue in pigs after heart attack. Story

> Reprogrammed skin cells could provide a way to regenerate liver tissue. Article

> Global tuberculosis R&D takes hit with AstraZeneca site closure. News

> HPV-like vaccine guards against skin tumors in mice. Article

> DOD selects Bavarian Nordic to develop vaccine against biological threats. News

> Berg, Parkinson's Institute partner to find biomarkers. Brief