Sanofi, Regeneron get boost in PCSK9 rivalry; AstraZeneca pulls Lynparza from CDF eval; Aetna hasn't decided on Gilead vs. AbbVie hep C meds;

> Sanofi ($SNY) and Regeneron ($REGN) got a boost against rival Amgen ($AMGN) as new study data show that the companies' PCSK9 cholesterol-lowering antibody alirocumab is effective when given once a month. Story

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) withdrew its cancer drug Lynparza from England's Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) evaluation process, one day after the fund announced that it would cut its list of covered meds. Story

> Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said the company has not yet decided whether to cover Gilead Sciences ($GILD) or AbbVie's ($ABBV) hepatitis C drug, but is "actively working" on reaching a decision. More

> U.K. cost watchdog NICE gave a thumbs-down to Dendreon's ($DNDN) prostate cancer drug Provenge for the second time this year. Article

> Israel's MediSafe raised $6 million in funding to support development of its mobile platform for drug adherence. More

And Finally... Want to look smarter? Study shows eye contact and eyeglasses work, but five-dollar words don't. Report