Versartis nails a $55M Series E; BioMarin snags FDA nod for rare disease drug;

@FierceBiotech: Bayer moves forward in the Factor VIII hemophilia race, but Biogen is still in the lead, analyst says. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Looks like Actavis wants to buy Forest for $25B - not sure I really get the synergy. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: After snow put the FDA on hold for much of last week, Chelsea Therapeutics expects Northera decision today. Release | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Role of adaptor protein could point the way for new diabetes, cancer treatments. More from FierceBiotechResearch. | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> California's Versartis has closed a $55 million E round to fund the development of VRS-317, a Phase III-ready treatment for pediatric growth hormone deficiency, bringing the company's total capital raised to $132 million. More

> BioMarin ($BMRN) won FDA approval for Vimizim, designed to treat a rare enzyme disorder called Morquio A syndrome. News

> Prana Biotechnology's ($PRAN) shares leapt more than 25% on news that its neurodegeneration drug met safety and tolerability endpoints in a midstage trial on patients with Huntington's disease, but analysts caution that the treatment failed to meet most of its secondary efficacy endpoints. Release | Commentary

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: For device companies, clearance for expanded use of key products = more revenue. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Singapore's Biosensors International could find itself with a new owner--a Chinese equity firm. Key to a rebound? More | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: New gold nanoshells could offer better delivery of cancer drugs using near-infrared light. Release | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Word on the street is that Apple is developing iWatch technology to detect heart attacks. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Boston Scientific will expand the use of a key esophageal stent in Europe. More

> Welsh government refuses to cover costs associated with faulty PIP breast implants. Item

> French molecular Dx and drug outfit pulls in nearly $56.4M to fuel expansion. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Germany may publicize its drug discounts, putting fear into Big Pharma's heart. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Call them the KOLs of biopharma: Our report on the industry's most influential people. Report | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: FDA Commish Hamburg hopeful about cooperation from Indian regulators but some were less enthused. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Best-read special report over Presidents' Day weekend: Top 10 generics makers by 2012 revenue. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Actavis inks $25B deal for Forest in bid to build its brand stable. Piece

> Indian regulator says his agency will not expect domestic drugmakers to hit FDA standards. Item

CRO News

> Quintiles notches its first-ever $1B quarter as sales boom. Earnings

> Parexel's rebranding makes a perceptible shift in its eClinical biz. Story

> Charles River's turnaround pays off with a strong 2013. Story

> Theorem takes a dive into analytics with latest deal. News

> After a 'pivotal' year, AMRI expects another leap in 2014. Article

> Chiltern inks a deal with Karolinska Development. Item

Biotech IT News

> Illumina takes a leaf out of the tech playbook with its genomics startup accelerator. Story

> Twitter explains how Boehringer is winning on social media. Article

> MIT proposes using robotic arms to enable smaller, cheaper stroke trials. Story

> Data science consortium outlines a vision for the future of genomic Big Data. News

> CamNtech gets an FDA nod as wearable devices advance into clinical trials. Article

> China cracks down on 'false' bird flu rumors on social media. Brief

Biotech Research News

> Role of adaptor protein could point the way for new diabetes, cancer treatments. Story

> Stem cell switch in neural cells could help treat neurological disorders. Article

> GlaxoSmithKline joins a $115M antibiotics development initiative. News

> MedImmune, UCSF strike translational research deal. News

> BioLineRx shows effectiveness of leukemia drug in preclinical study. Article

> Compound protects mice from Parkinson's-like motor loss. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Mylan recalls injectable drugs after pieces of label found in some vials. News

> FDA's Hamburg comes back from India with high hopes about quality standards. Article

> Shire gets FDA nod for a second U.S. plant to make Vpriv. Story

> Ben Venue Labs may be closed but it is still recalling products. News

> Hikma's remediation costs have been offset by doxycycline sales. Story

> Amgen responds to FDA warning letter over drug/device combos. Brief