Spotlight On... Abbott's FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system approved in Australia; Second Sight shows 3-year data for vision restoration; Apogenix gets €3M grant for glioblastoma companion Dx; and more...

Abbott ($ABT) announced that it has received Australian approval for its FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, which eliminates the need for routine finger pricks. "We know through our research that pain, inconvenience and indiscretion of finger pricking were the key reasons people with diabetes aren't managing their diabetes as well as they should," said Abbott's senior vice president of diabetes care Jared Watkin. "Addressing these concerns has guided the development of FreeStyle Libre--a transformational product designed to not only remove the pain of routine finger pricking but also seamlessly integrate into daily lives--empowering people with diabetes to make better-informed treatment decisions and live their best lives through better health." More

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI from FierceDrugDelivery: FDA says drug delivery devices need human factors validation testing. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: Pfizer takes a $784M hit with Medicaid pricing settlement. FiercePharma story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Second Sight Medical Products ($EYES) has released positive three-year data on its Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System to restore some vision to blind patients. More

> Micro-cap Iridex ($IRIX) has nabbed a CE mark for its Cyclo G6 Laser System to treat glaucoma, which it said will be the first laser system commercialized in Europe specifically designed for that indication. More

> German startup Apogenix got a €3 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to develop a companion diagnostic for immune-oncology candidate APG101 to treat glioblastoma. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Seven Bridges raises $45M to fuel drive to be the backbone of large-scale genome projects. More from FierceBiotechIT | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Got plenty of cash? Market carnage sets up a Darwinian showdown in biotech. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: there must be at least one person at who also had NBA All-Star tickets and is just FURIOUS. | Follow @DamianFierce

> Akarna joins the NASH race with a $15M fundraise. Report

> Tonix tanks on a Phase II flop for its headache drug. News

> CAR-T 2.0: Small studies spotlight promise of a breakthrough upgrade. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Zoetis beats estimates in Q4 but dampens 2016 sales forecast on currency woes. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharmaManufacturing: Eisai bulks up on bulk drugs for Japan's growing generics market. Doubling capacity in India. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI last week: Novartis takes aim at Remicade market with EU biosim rights from Pfizer. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Merck's cholesterol meds Zetia, Vytorin lose final appeal for bigger CV market. Report

> Express Scripts steps up its Valeant feud with microscopic look at every claim. Story

> Pfizer takes a $784M hit with Medicaid pricing settlement. Article

Animal Health News

> VCA beats on earnings in Q4 with growth in animal hospital and lab businesses. Story

> Startup aims to match ailing pets with clinical trials that could help people, too. More

> Trupanion beats Q4 estimates as vet clinics snap up Express insurance product. Report

> Zoetis beats estimates in Q4 but dampens 2016 sales forecast on currency woes. Article

> Investors applaud Schein's record sales and earnings. Item

Biotech IT News

> Biogen allies with GSK in precompetitive computational biology collaboration. Report

> 10x Genomics strikes deals with Illumina, Agilent and Qiagen. News

> Illumina shares details of semiconductor-based sequencing device. Item

> Seven Bridges raises $45M to fuel drive to be the backbone of large-scale genome projects. Story

> Illumina, Icon land data deals with U.K. mass genome sequencing program. Article

Drug Delivery News

> Early-stage drug delivery implant targeting pancreatic cancer tumors showing promise. Report

> Shape, flexibility of nanoparticles give them an edge against cancer. More

> Amgen deploys West Pharma vials to store its injectable cancer med Imlygic. Item

> Gold nanoparticle clusters and bursts of infrared light eliminate post-surgery tumor cells. Story

> BioCryst stock in dumps after it terminates soft gel arm of its rare disease candidate. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Pfizer recalls children's Advil in Canada; 'clumps' could cause dosing mistakes. More

> Vet drugmaker Chanelle Group putting €70M into Ireland plant. Item

> Perrigo recalling 200M units of antifungus drug over labeling mishap. Report

> Sun to ask for FDA reinspection of troubled Halol plant. Story

> Buffalo, NY-based drug developer says it will build biologics plant, hire 900. Article

Pharma Asia News

> Indonesia clears decks for foreign API manufacturers. Article

> China push to bring biotech talent home is paying off. More

> China healthcare exports need marketing, quality push after acquisitions: L.E.K. Story

> China renews consolidation drive for drug manufacture, wants TCM push. Article

> India's MedGenome pledges $10M for South Asia sequencing effort. Report