Investigators push for switch in Alzheimer's patient profiles; Ironwood preps PhIII linaclotide study in China;

NEW! Conversations on Twitter :

• Lively discussions both anticipating and reacting to the FDA's approval of Vivus' Qsymia: here, here and here
  Input from @JohnCFierce and others
• Strong reactions to the "fiasco" around USA Today's pre-mature story on Qsymia's approval, with related discussions here, here and here as well
  Input from @RyanMFierce, as well as @AdamFeuerstein, @MatthewHerper, others
• Analyst discussion teasing out competitor diagnostic co. valuations
• Brief conversation about a micro tech bubble forming in genomic data interpretation
  Started by @RyanMFierce

 @FierceBiotech: Boehringer backs study of ‪mobile‬ ‪diabetes‬ care. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Buzz: Big investors likely to back next wave of biotech buyouts. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: I sense a micro tech bubble forming in ‪genomic‬ data interpretation, annotation software. I see a new company in this space every month or so. | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Two late-stage studies of solanezumab and bapineuzumab are putting the amyloid theory to the test this year. J&J ($JNJ), Pfizer ($PFE), and Eli Lilly ($LLY) are all betting that if their drugs can substantially reduce amyloid levels in patients with mild to moderate cases, they can slow the disease and ameliorate symptoms. But investigators are now awaiting word on whether they can get NIH funding for a new study that would move the target away from late-stage cases to an early-stage group. Laurie Ryan, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials division at the National Institute on Aging, tells the Boston Globe that the key to success is beginning therapy before symptoms appear. And if she's right, those high-risk trials underway may be the last expensive bet made on mid- to late-stage cases of the disease. Story

> Ironwood Pharmaceuticals ($IRWD) has submitted the paperwork needed to launch a late-stage study of linaclotide in China. The treatment is being developed for IBS. Release

> Antisense Therapeutics has inked a deal with China's Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine to further develop and commercialize ANP's drug ATL1102. Release

> Dr. Reddy's in India has been touting its expansion plans on the biosimilars side of the business. Story

> Somaxon Pharmaceuticals reports that it settled patent litigation concerning its sleep drug with a pair of generic drug makers. The news help push shares up more than 90%, to about 50 cents a share. Release