IBM's ($IBM) Watson Health Unit announced it will open its first Watson Health European Center of Excellence in Milan, Italy. "Italy is important to IBM--not only because of the creativity, skills and talent of the country's workforce, but also because of the Government's efforts to digitize Italy's economy," said Erich Clementi, senior vice president of IBM Europe. "That is why we are excited to announce our new Watson Health European Center of Excellence near Milan, which will support the Italian Government's healthcare reform and research agenda by bringing together Watson developers and IBM Research scientists to apply remarkable cognitive computing capabilities to modern healthcare problems." More
@FierceMedDev: Edwards up 13% on Sapien TAVR data in intermediate-risk heart patients. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Micro-cap Ekso Bionics Holdings ($EKSO) has received clearance for its GT robotic exoskeleton to aid patients with hemiplegia due to stroke and those with spinal cord injuries. More
> The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has announced the panel that will guide Joe Biden's National Cancer Moonshot Initiative. More
> Surefire Medical presented data from an 11-patient, retrospective study showing that its chemoembolization infusion technology to treat primary liver cancer had an 80% completed tumor response and a 93% objective tumor response. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Venter's Human Longevity firm raises $220M with help from Celgene, Illumina. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Miss our story on $CLVS being accused of misrepresenting its data on rociletinib? Report | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Intercept surges as FDA review hesitates on endorsing OCA data, but doesn't hate it. More
> As Allergan buyout hangs in balance, Motus reports progress on GI drug. Story
> Gilead gains next-gen HIV approval from FDA as it looks to beat back competition. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Allergy battle goes young as GSK's Flonase, Sanofi's Nasacort roll out kid-labeled OTC sprays. FiercePharmaMarketing story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: Drugmakers see no marketing leverage from FDA biosim guidelines. More from FiercePharmaMarketing | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Valeant moves quickly to slash jobs, beginning with Addyi, dermatology sales reps. Report
> Biogen, Samsung accuse AbbVie of evergreening Humira patents to block biosims. Story
> It's a Pfizer vs. Obama matchup as Treasury suits up to fight Allergan merge. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Drug company may kill NC plant project over transgender issue. More
> PuraCap snags second new production site in a week. Report
> Gilead contractor PharmaChem starts $120M Bahamas expansion. Story
> Sun closing Ranbaxy plant in Ireland. Item
> Rusan plant in India remains under EU ban due to persistent GMP problems. Article
Drug Delivery News
> Nanoparticle 'cluster-bomb' penetrates tumors to reduce chemo doses. Report
> Celator raises $40M through common stock offering to support its liposomal cancer candidate. More
> India's Rusan Pharma opens transdermal patch plant in Gujarat. Story
> MIT team invents machine for making personalized drugs 'on demand.' Item
> Augmenix touts study of its rectal spacer to cut side effects of prostate cancer radiotherapy. Article
Pharma Asia News
> Alibaba Health drops China online pharmacy plans, blames complex regulatory environment. Report
> Samsung Bioepis aims at AbbVie Humira patents in U.K. lawsuit. Story
> Chugai, PharmaMar post positive blood cancer results for new sea squirt drug. Article
> Indian pharma to face U.S. headwinds, but growth to remain 'stable.' More
> Australia's biotech industry sings Korea's praises, asks for more tie-ups. Item