Spotlight On... France's Essilor invests in Israeli startup making eyeglasses that can refocus themselves; Medtronic starts major trial to make case for superDimension; Blood Centers of America adopt Intercept; and more...

Israeli startup Deep Optics is developing eyeglasses that can automatically refocus to assist those with presbyopia, or age-related difficulty focusing on nearby objects. It recently announced a $4 million VC in support of its lenses with a liquid crystal layer that enables a changeable refractive index (or "smart" eyeglasses, perhaps). Investors include French eyeglass company Essilor. More

@FierceMedDev: BD forms $500M JV with private equity firm Apax to house ailing respiratory biz. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: FDA loss in Vascular Solution off-label promotion case foreshadowed Amarin settlement. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Biopharma, Republicans and doctors dig in for fight against new CMS cancer-drug cuts. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Medtronic ($MDT) has started a massive 2,500-patient international trial on the long-term impact of its superDimension navigation system in early detection of lung cancer and treatment. More

> Constant Therapy has raised $2 million in Series A funding to back its mobile app for brain rehabilitation, including the treatment of speech, language and cognitive disorders. More

> Blood Centers of America, which has almost 50 member blood centers, has done a five-year agreement with Cerus ($CERS) for its Intercept Blood System for platelets and plasma that reduces pathogens, even those that are unknown. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Strike 3: Struggling Xoma jettisons its lead drug after (another) PhIII failure. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Sarepta has a new date with an FDA AdCom for Duchenne drug eteplirsen. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Could MedImmune be about to start paying its way for AZ? Article

> Experts: Drug trial disaster followed several missteps; new rules needed. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Ceva makes strides toward animal health dominance with strong 2015 sales. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: More biologics manufacturing capacity comes online in the US. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: AbbVie's $595M anti-inflammatory deal promises an even bigger battle for psoriasis share. News | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> In a welcome, surprising reversal, pharma's reputation among patients takes an upturn. Story

> Valeant settles the R&O lawsuit that touched off its specialty pharmacy woes. Report

CRO News

> 'Molecule to blame' in fatal French drug study. More

> Icon teams up with a nonprofit to help drive better patient outcomes. Report

> Data collection firm ERT is changing private equity hands. Story

> Swiss CRO PSI stretches its reach into Israel. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Merck hands top manufacturing job to Sanat Chattopadhyay. Report

> Lupin finishes Gavis buy, giving it U.S. manufacturing beachhead. Story

> Bain-backed compounder QuVa gets slapped by FDA for plant failings. Article

> Pfizer expanding API plant in Australia. Item

Pharma Asia News

> Price pressure on drug sales in China accelerates in 2016. Report

> Japan's AMED names 8 projects for pre-designation orphan review. Item

> Carlyle-backed Meinian Onehealth snaps up Ciming for $415M. Story

> China FDA approves Roche's cervical test CINtec. More

> Challenged Benitec moves to get word out on hep B candidate. Article