Shares of Menlo Park's Pacific Biosciences ($PACB) of California are up 25% on a report that Big Pharma (and diagnostics) player Roche ($RHHBY) is interested in acquiring the provider of gene sequencing technology. The company makes the Sequel System for single-molecule, real-time sequencing. More
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI: At Baxter, Covidien's Almeida looks to cut costs, fuel innovation and do smaller acquisitions. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: Updated w analyst info: Stryker to buy disposable device maker for $2.8B to reduce hospital-acquired infections. More | Follow @VarunSaxena2
@EmilyWFierce: Diagnostics overlooked as 'first line of defense' for Zika virus. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Boston Scientific ($BSX) and C.R. Bard ($BCR) were found not liable in a $28M pelvic mesh lawsuit by a woman complaining that the surgical implant resulted in incontinence, pain and difficulty walking. More
> Maquet Medical Systems, a Getinge Group company, has partnered with Biotronik to distribute the latter's peripheral vascular devices in the U.S. More
> Insulet ($PODD) will divest its Neighborhood Diabetes supplies business to Liberty Medical for $5 million. More
> Cantel Medical will acquire the Sterility Assurance Monitoring Products division from North American Science Associates (NAMSA) for $13.5 million. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Gene therapy pioneer James Wilson uses CRISPR/Cas9 to target liver disease. FierceBiotechResearch article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Editas and BeiGene break biotech's IPO drought and stoke hopes of a turnaround. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Wow. I see why everyone thinks this new $NVS ad is so disturbing. Watch | Follow @DamianFierce
> Enyo Pharma gets a $24M funding boost for hep B cure candidate. Story
> Gilead execs tick off its three top areas of M&A interest. Item
> Yale entrepreneur Rothberg rounds up $40M for a biotech upstart. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: NCI's Cancer Centers join in HPV vaccination push. FierceVaccines story | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: FDA hands Wockhardt and Ipca more disappointing news. FiercePharmaManufacturing article | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: Witty is SO DONE with these spinoff questions. | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Valeant shells out $400K a month in hazard pay for interim CEO Schiller. Report
> Gilead's hep C juggernaut continues in Q4, even as U.S. sales fall. Article
Pharma Marketing News
> Biogen sees new Tecfidera buzz as DTC, marketing push kicks in. More
> With all eyes on Alcon, Novartis plots DTC ad push, new marketing spend. Story
> BMS expects fast-growing Eliquis to take the lead over Xarelto, Pradaxa. Article
> Gilead's hep C meds keep churning, but execs see need for deals as U.S. sales slow. Item
> Prevnar's 2015 sales surged to $6B-plus on new FDA approval in adults. Report
Biotech Research News
> Investigators at The Hutch draw up a new battle plan for metastasis. Story
> Researchers discover fusion protein that promotes cancer via three distinct ways in pediatric brain tumors. More
> Gene therapy pioneer James Wilson uses CRISPR/Cas9 to target liver disease. Article
> U.K. scientists get a green light to modify human embryos. Item
> Boston Children's team finds potential new melanoma drug target using zebrafish. Report
Vaccines News
> Pfizer's vaccine sales leap in 2015 thanks to Prevnar 13. More
> Merck, J&J, Pfizer consider joining Zika vaccine race. Report
> NCI's Cancer Centers join in HPV vaccination push. Story
> UT Southwestern team creates new drug that could aid in vaccine development. Item
> Sanofi's Brandicourt mulls pulling the plug on Merck JV: Bloomberg. Article