@FierceMedDev: ICYMI: ACT Genomics ropes in $8M for cancer molecular Dx in first private funding round. FierceDiagnostics story | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI: Alkermes' multiple sclerosis prodrug looks good in Phase I, has Biogen Idec's Tecfidera in its sights. FierceDrugDelivery article | Follow @VarunSaxena2
@EmilyWFierce: Quick, low-cost tests are becoming the new norm in screening for infectious diseases. Report from the WSJ | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> UK-based Michelson Diagnostics closed a £2.5 million first tranche of its Series B financing that is expected to total £4.0 million. Smith & Nephew ($SNN) led the financing, which will be used to expand the company's commercial presence in Germany and launch its next-gen VivoSight OCT tissue-imaging system. More
> Pacemaker data helped to validate an alibi in a Canadian case of a son accused of killing his father. Story
> Avedro said that a joint meeting on Feb. 24 of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee and Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee will review its NDA for riboflavin ophthalmic solutions with UVA irradiation for use in corneal collagen cross linking for the treatment of the conditions underlying progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia following refractive surgery. The PDUFA date is March 29. Release
> Atlanta-based Better Walk has raised a $450,000 Series A round, bringing the capital raised by the startup to $600,000 since its May 2013 founding by Georgia Tech students. The company has an alternative to the traditional underarm or forearm crutches. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Low-profile biotech gets $30M, new CEO and new home for PhIII atrial fib effort. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: ICYMI: AstraZeneca struggles to spin out anti-infectives division, coming down to the wire. Editor's corner | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Sprout is resubmitting its "female Viagra" as the FDA faces pressure from advocacy groups. Release | Follow @DamianFierce
> Hyperion and Clal call off their lawyers in botched buyout deal. Story
> VBL craters after PhII psoriasis and ulcerative colitis flops, decision to punt drug. Article
> Low-profile biotech gets $30M, new CEO and new home for PhIII atrial fib effort. Report
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Aratana confirms hold on USDA-approved dog lymphoma drug. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: Activists ready to fight for Ariad CEO's ouster: CNBC. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Shanghai official linked to GSK bribery sentenced to 19 years in prison. News
> Glaxo's Connelly bows out amid scramble to turn around U.S. business. Article
> Le Figaro: Sanofi will tap Bayer's Brandicourt as CEO this week. Report
Biotech IT News
> Medidata's wearables wish list: Long battery life and water resistance. More
> Microsoft, Cambridge University team up on blood cancer simulation model. Story
> RainDance Technologies opens patent suit against 10X Genomics. Item
> Sanofi-backed virtual trial gets green light in Europe. Report
> Ex-J&J exec turns to crowd to fund brain disorder simulation project. Article
CRO News
> Actavis sells its outsourcing biz to TPG. Item
> Catalent's string of deals pads its pocketbook. More
> Quintiles looks to 2015 with another banner year in the books. Story
> AMRI posts a net quarterly loss in the midst of a realignment. Article
> Charles River rides M&A to a big revenue year. Report
Animal Health News
> Aratana confirms hold on USDA-approved dog lymphoma drug. Item
> Phibro climbs on strong revenue growth, high hopes for new vaccine venture. More
> Trupanion doubles down on quest to make pet insurance more palatable. Story
> Veterinary trade group denounces press reports of alleged conflicts of interest. Article
> Embattled Zoetis beats Q4 expectations, but tempers 2015 forecasts. Report
Biotech Research News
> Singapore research team develops new strategy on inflammation cancer targeting. More
> Science team spotlights a potentially game-changing approach for ovarian cancer. Story
> Investigators advance a new therapy to use against pneumonia, influenza. Article
> Stem cell work points to new approach on fighting obesity. Item
> Alzheimer's group spawns three new R&D centers to advance promising therapies. Report
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Samsung BioLogics to expand new biologics plant. News
> Sun Pharma's revenues squeezed by plant issues. More
> Claris' injectables business is said to be shopped to Pfizer, Amneal. Story
> TPG buys back Aptalis' Pharmatech unit from Actavis. Article
> AMRI plans to close plant in Wales. Report