President Barack Obama's historic visit to Cuba signals improving relations with the island nation--and opportunities for U.S. businesses to sell products there, such as medical devices. GE ($GE) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban government to explore opportunities to equip the country with its medical device offerings, as well as power and aviation infrastructure. A similar deal with Tehran could be next thanks the removal of international sanctions on Iran. More
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Theranos gets the boot as host for Clinton campaign fundraiser. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI: Med tech consultant discusses China FDA, tries to clear up Chinese clinical trial confusion. Article | Follow @VarunSaxena2
@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI: Embark Veterinary launches DNA testing kit for dogs with research applications in mind. FierceAnimalHealth story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Varian Medical Systems ($VAR) has launched a new, tiny Calypso Beacon Transponder to guide radiation therapy in soft tissue tumors that is smaller than a grain of rice. More
> Shockingly, researchers have found that wearable fitness trackers aren't particularly accurate when it comes to calorie counts. Story
> iRhythm Technologies published data in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showing that a high burden of atrial fibrillation is associated with lower cognitive function. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Duchenne docs--AKA Sarepta investigators, advisers and advocates--back controversial case for eteplirsen. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: J&J joins up with Genentech for a pair of atezo/Darzalex combo cancer studies. News | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Pfizer joins next-gen vaccines R&D consortium. Item
> J&J joins up with Genentech for a pair of atezo/Darzalex combo cancer studies. Article
> Fledging biotech Syntimmune gains $10M tranche from its Series A nest egg. Report
> Will Eli Lilly's 11th-hour regulatory gambit salvage or sink its Alzheimer's drug? Editor's corner
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Humor or fear? Merck uses both to promote shingles shot Zostavax. FiercePharmaMarketing story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: Switching study gives Celltrion biosim more ammo in fight for Remicade share. More from FiercePharmaMarketing | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Novartis CEO Jimenez sees pay drop to $11.9M on Alcon, emerging markets shortfalls. Story
> Could a Bausch & Lomb IPO help save debt-laden Valeant? Ackman thinks so. More
> Amgen's PCSK9 patent win 'reasonably likely' to push Sanofi's Praluent off the market: Analyst. Report
> Anthem sues Express Scripts over drug pricing, considers calling it quits on the PBM. Article
Drug Delivery News
> S. Korean diabetes patch monitors blood sugar and delivers metformin. More
> GSK partnering with Germany's Miltenyi Biotec on cell and gene therapy R&D. Report
> Halozyme initiates Phase III trial of its internal pancreatic cancer candidate. Story
> 'Backpacks' on white blood cells could deliver cancer drugs in a targeted fashion. Article
> Inovio acquires needle-free jet injector tech from Bioject for $5.5M. News
Pharma Manufacturing News
> WHO suspends manufacturing approval of Indian TB drug maker Svizera. Report
> Hitachi Chemical and PCT ink deal for licensing, manufacturing for cell therapy. News
> Boehringer Ingelheim wins first client for China biologics plan. Story
> China hunts for $88M in vaccines diverted to black market. Item
> Marksans the latest Indian drugmaker cited with noncompliance by European regulators. Article
Pharma Asia News
> India's Svizera Labs suspended as TB drugs supplier to WHO. News
> Diabetes in focus as Lechleiter's Asian tour reaches China. Article
> CANbridge in potential $134M licensing deal with AVEO Oncology drug. Story
> Cancer care triage in Asia shows treatment options gap. More
> China FDA on the hunt for illegally sold vaccines in Shandong. Report