Transcept, Novo seek FDA approvals; Alcon plans big growth in Fort Worth;

@FierceBiotech: Intercell seeks drug-patch partners after stock meltdown. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@RyanMFierce: @JohnCFierce it's like the top 10 pharma wants to date RNAi without telling anyone. Did someone say RNAi has cooties? | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MaureenFierce: Childhood vaccine funds agreed for more poor nations. Article | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Transcept has re-submitted its NDA for the sleep drug Intermezzo. Report

> Joining the line forming in front of the FDA, Novo Nordisk has filed its insulin hopeful degludec for an approval. Novo also filed for marketing approval in Europe. Story

> Alcon is asking the city of Fort Worth, TX, for some tax breaks on a planned expansion that's expected to create 750 jobs over the next 7 years. The growth in Fort Worth will consolidate the new Novartis unit's finance services operations in one place, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Article

> Jeffrey Tobias has jumped from his post at NeurogesX to the CMO position at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Release

> Tarix Pharmaceuticals has won orphan drug status for its experimental drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Merck joins drug cos. looking outside pharma for expertise: New strategy chief from Lenovo Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> GSK chief backs affordable pricing in India. Report

> JAMA: Spotty results with off-label antipsychotic use. News

> Indian panel rejects cap on pharma M&A, backs commission review. Report

> Gardasil wins an HPV cost-effectiveness match-up. Item

Drug Delivery News

> 'Nano-swimmers' could carry drugs to tumors. News

> FDA clears Smiths Medical's wireless infusion pump. Story

> Pacira's long-acting pain drug advancing. Story

> U.K.'s Silence grabs RNAi delivery deal with Big Pharma. Report

> Intercell seeks drug-patch partners after stock meltdown. Item

> Roche trial buoys antibody-based delivery of cancer drugs. Piece

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Shuren says guidance on de novo coming shortly. #AdvaMed2011 | Follow @FierceMedDev

> J&J unit to buy SterilMed. Article

> DJO, Exos ink distribution agreement. Item

> Sony buys Micronics to enter new field. Report

> SpineGuard scores $6.2M. More

And Finally... New research at Michigan State helps expand our understanding of how people continue to learn while they sleep. Article