DARPA eyes optogenetics; Metactive raises $2M Series A;

@FierceMedDev: J&J readies to rid itself of Cordis--for as much as $2B to Cardinal Health. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Reg. standards may be for NGS materials, methods & performance. Specific for each area (oncology, germline mutations etc) #PrecisionMedicine. | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Bayer feels sting of mixed decision from NICE for Eylea's use in diabetics. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> DARPA is reportedly working on an optogenetics project to restore sight to the blind via genetic manipulation at the level of the optical neurons. Story

> Metactive has raised a $2 million Series A round to develop embolization devices to treat peripheral vascular and neurovascular diseases as alternatives to coils and stents. This brings the total raised by the company to $7 million. More

> The World Health Organization has approve the first rapid Ebola test, which is from Corgenix ($CONX). Story

> Cantel Medical ($CMN) has acquired MRLB for $10 million in cash to add its DentaPure products to its infection control and prevention portfolio. DentaPure is a water filtration system used by dentists. Release

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Merck KGaA carves into MS R&D after a string of setbacks. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: $LLY, that wunderkind of drug R&D, delays peglispro after all and Tim Anderson sounds taps. Release | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Big day for Tularik expats, particularly the ones at Flexus and NGM. Story | Report | Follow @DamianFierce

> Celldex jumps after gaining an FDA 'breakthrough.' More

> Bristol-Myers bags IDO immunotherapy in $1.25B buyout of fledgling Flexus. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Brain cancer therapy pioneered in dogs wins NCI grant for human development. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: Valeant To Acquire Salix Pharmaceuticals For $158.00 Per Share In Cash. Release | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Bayer reportedly close to diabetes device sale worth up to $2.3B. Story

> New Sanofi chief's €4M signing bonus 'incomprehensible' to French officials. News

Biotech IT News

> AstraZeneca picks Labguru to improve collaborations with academia. More

> FDA puts cloud storage and Google-esque search tools on precision medicine road map. Story

> Big Data digging yields unprecedented road map of the epigenome. Article

> BGI investor: It is the database they are building that will make them formidable. Report

> Transcriptic snags $8.5M to add capabilities at robot-run lab. News

CRO News

> LabCorp seals its $6B deal for Covance. Article

> After a $300M IPO, PRA forecasts a big 2015. More

> Theorem partners up for patient testing. Report

> Parexel stretches out its site network to speed up enrollment. Story

> WuXi borrows $165M to bankroll more M&A. Item

Animal Health News

> Jaguar posts positive trial results on lead prescription drug for dogs. Item

> Patterson misses on sales and earnings but reaffirms fiscal 2015 guidance. Report

> Australia's Integrated Animal Health to open offices in U.S. Story

> Brain cancer therapy pioneered in dogs wins NCI grant for human development. News

> Dogs get pulled into the medical marijuana debate. Article