China clears Medtronic-Covidien deal; Clarion acquired for $55M

@FierceMedDev: Physicians weigh in on ventricular assist devices for treating heart failure. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: AstraZeneca scores a victory in pay-for-delay Nexium case. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has cleared Medtronic's ($MDT) proposed acquisition of Covidien ($COV), which is expected to close in early 2015. Release

> Lifestyle healthcare company Alphaeon acquired Clarion Medical in a $55 million deal. Release

> Qualcomm Life and telemedicine company vitaphone e-health solutions announced a partnership to enable biometric data capture from medical devices and coordinated team-based care for its device platforms. Release

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Merck splashes into antibiotics with $9.5B Cubist deal. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Agios' AG-221 racks up more cancer remissions, setting the stage for a pivotal challenge. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Sun Pharma has a nuanced approach to Twitter. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Six years and $8.8B later, Takeda is ditching the Millennium name. Item

> Merck's PD-1 star Keytruda shines at ASH, but lags behind Bristol-Myers' rival. Article

> Panel: How to understand the long biotech boom? Editor's Corner

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Top-read pharma news this weekend: With Pfizer on the loose, traders worry Actavis-Allergan M&A saga isn't over yet. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICYMI: Sanofi, Viehbacher accused of kickback scheme in whistleblower suit. More | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: Long-acting Copaxone to launch early next year in Europe, Teva says. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Genentech's top-billing Lucentis users are also top-paid speakers: NYT. News

> European watchdogs pull Mylan, Abbott generics on contractor's data problems. Article

> Merck adds heft to hospital biz with $9.5B Cubist buyout. Report

CRO News

> WuXi moves to list a subsidiary on the Chinese market. More

> Recipharm cues job cuts as a long-time partner drops out. Report

> Catalent signs on to help Sellas get a repurposed drug to the finish line. Article

> INC Research lends its weight to trial site advocacy group. Item

> EU nations yank drugs over GVK data scandal. Story

Biotech IT News

> Hackers use Wall Street know-how to steal stock-moving biotech info. More

> Flatiron Health teams with Foundation Medicine to develop oncology platform. Report

> Ex-Pfizer SVP named CEO of BioClinica. Item

> Documents reveal FDA's use of computer forensics to uncover data falsification. Story

> 23andMe gets regulatory thumbs-up to sell DNA tests in U.K. Article

Animal Health News

> Kindred shares plummet as company nixes atopic dermatitis drug. Report

> Newly sequenced ferret genome reveals clues to human lung diseases. More

> Report: New FDA policy on animal antibiotics has loopholes. Item

> Eco Animal Health doubles pretax profit as it expands into North America. Story

> Nexvet partners with Virbac for ex-U.S. sales of canine osteoarthritis drug. Article