Spotlight On... FDA grants Emergency Use Authorization for diagnostic to detect Zika virus; Michigan Blue Cross to cover iFuse Implant; Cardio Systems settles for $8M with U.S. Attorney; and more...

The FDA just issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Trioplex Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the detection of the Zika virus. The authorization was made at the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The move will enable the CDC to perform more rapid testing for the disease. The CDC said it will begin distributing the test to qualified laboratories, but not U.S. hospitals or primary care providers. Release

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI Friday: J&J highlights consumer devices, most investable 6 device segments in quest for growth. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharma: Senators lambaste Turing for 'unethical' price hikes at latest drug price hearing. Report | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> The FDA is accepting public comment through April 17 on a new draft clinical trial protocol template that it developed alongside with the NIH for medical devices and drugs. Blog

> Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the largest private insurer in Michigan, will cover the iFuse Implant System for minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion. More

> Cardiovascular Systems ($CSII) has said in a regulatory filing that it has settled for $8 million with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina over alleged violations of the False Claims Act based on whistleblower complaints alleging illegal kickbacks and off-label promotions for medical devices. Filing

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Atlantic Healthcare closes $24M round and gains Salix founder as new CSA. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Biotech startup trendsetters at Arch hunting up $400M-plus for venture fund. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Amgen's bone drug 'romo' fails to excite in male osteoporosis. Report

> Exit stage left for senior leaders at Intrexon. Item

> BioMarin wilts as a big PhIII study disappoints investors, again. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Elanco debuts immune-boosting cow drug at USDA confab on antibiotic alternatives. More from FierceAnimalHealth | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharmaManufacturing: First came the recall, then the FDA plant ban, now the warning letter to Emcure plant for faking data. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Starting Monday off wrong--watching tons of graphic shingles commercials. | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Valeant heeds calls for new CEO, links iffy financials to hard-charging 'tone at the top.' Story

> J&J, BMS are delivering solid sales from new meds. The rest of Big Pharma, not so much: Forbes. Report

> NICE does a U-turn on J&J's Zytiga for pre-chemo after drugmaker offers cost-cutting deal. Article

Pharma Marketing News

> Marketers aren't spending enough on ads, researcher says. And yes, that includes pharma. Story

> Pharma's doctor payments do pay off, with more money yielding more scripts: Pro Publica. Article

> Switching study gives Celltrion biosim more ammo in fight for Remicade share. Report

> NICE changes its tune on J&J's Zytiga for pre-chemo prostate cancer treatment. Item

> Note to pharma: Stop fishing social media one hook at a time. A trawler net works much better. More

Animal Health News

> Pet owners boost medication purchases amid record $60B-plus spending: Story

> Five questions for One Health Company founder Ben Lewis. Report

> Elanco debuts immune-boosting cow drug at USDA confab on antibiotic alternatives. Article

> U.K. scientists launch study of emerging tick-borne disease in dogs. Item

> Embark Veterinary launches DNA testing kit for dogs with research applications in mind. More

Biotech IT News

> Following on from GSK deal, WNS adds data analytics capabilities in $17.5M buyout. News

> IMS creates Hootsuite app to help pharma manage social media compliance. Report

> 10x Genomics scoops another $55M to fuel commercialization of long-read tech. Article

> Huawei, WuXi team up to power the China Precision Medicine Initiative. Story

> Zealand, BioSolveIT pool resources to develop peptide design tool. More