Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) demonstrated its increased independence from parent company Alphabet ($GOOG) by leasing a new 400,000-square-foot, South San Francisco facility from Amgen ($AMGN). The unit plans to begin shifting its 400 employees from Mountain View, CA, by the end of the year. Amgen inherited the facility when it acquired oncology-focused Onyx Pharmaceuticals for $9.7 billion in 2013. More
@FierceMedDev: FDA warns two diagnostics players for marketing unapproved tests. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: AstraZeneca bags EU approval for gout drug Zurampic as it eyes $500M in sales. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has named Scott Whitaker as president and CEO; he was previously the COO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). The appointment is effective as of April 4. More
> A Georgia federal jury ruled against Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) with a $4.4 million verdict in a pelvic mesh implant case. More
> Alung Technologies has reportedly raised $12 million to get its artificial lung before the FDA. It plans a U.S. trial to start later this year with an FDA decision targeted for 2018 or 2019. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Novartis' blood cancer drug bags a 'breakthrough' tag on the way to FDA filing. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: ICYMI: Adimab issues a challenge: Use new tech to build a rapid-response R&D platform for infectious diseases. News | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Voice actors share how they deliver drug ad warnings without sounding, well, scary. More | Follow @DamianFierce
> New Canadian biotech aims for a novel approach to blood cancer, rare disease. Article
> Bottom-dwelling biotech Hemispherx dumps its CEO and vows to stamp out nepotism. Story
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: NEJM study finds Actos holds off repeat strokes, heart attacks in insulin-resistant patients. Story | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: New York gives $200M for Athenix to build Buffalo plant. Company pledges 900 jobs over 10 years. Story | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: #ICYMI yesterday: U.K. cost gatekeepers say 'show me' to Alexion's new rare disease med Kanuma. Item | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> FDA approves UCB drug for treating epileptic seizures. Story
> Teva offers up concessions for quick EU review of Allergan deal. More