The FDA has decided that the adverse events and deaths recorded in CTI BioPharma's pivotal program of the myelofibrosis drug pacritinib are so alarming that they've imposed a full clinical hold on the trial, halting dosing and persuading the biotech to yank its newly completed drug application. CTI is partnered with Baxalta ($BXLT) on the drug, which would compete with Novartis' ($NVS) Jakafi. More from FierceBiotech
> An FDA advisory panel overwhelmingly backed a biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) Remicade, from Celltrion and Pfizer ($PFE), for all of the brand's approved indications. Report
> Merck & Co. ($MRK) filed for FDA approval for its dust mite allergy treatment. Report
> Novartis ($NVS) is taking aim at proposed changes to the U.K. Cancer Drugs Fund, which pays for treatments not cleared as cost-effective by government watchdogs. Report
And Finally... The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England put out new guidelines for treatment multiple myeloma. Report