@FiercePharma: Merck criminal plea on Vioxx misbranding: DoJ says $MRK promoted for RA three yrs before FDA approved for that use. Release | Follow @FiercePharma
> China's market for acute coronary syndrome drugs is expected to grow to almost $450 million by 2015. News
> At least one analyst likes Gilead Sciences' ($GILD) $11 billion purchase of hepatitis C drug developer Pharmasset ($VRUS): BMO Capital Markets upgraded Gilead stock to "outperform," saying long-term growth will nearly double because of the deal. Article
> The Novartis ($NVS) drug Ilaris, approved in Japan in September, has now won a national health insurance price listing. Story
> The chairman of the Irish Exporters' Association says pharma companies will weather the patent cliff in Ireland, thanks to investments in biologics manufacturing. Item
> Thiopurine drugs used to fight bowel diseases such as Crohn's may be linked to an increased risk of skin cancer in those patients, two new studies show. Report
> Pfizer ($PFE) and the Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) unit Janssen are funding a new online video resource for patients with Alzheimer's disease. News
> Par Pharmaceutical ($PRX) promoted Thomas Haughey to president and Paul Campanelli to chief operating officer, effective immediately; both men will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Patrick LePore. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Biotech building boom restricted to top "micro" hot spots. News | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Radius Health has closed a $27M tranche of its $91M financing round. | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Otsuka filed NDA for once-monthly version of Abilify, Alkermes ($ALKS) has rival drug in its pipeline. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce
@MaureenFierce: 2011 Fierce 15 winner Selecta Biosciences starts Phase I trial of synthetic nano-vaccine for smoking. Item | Follow @MaureenFierce
> Pharmasset science founder lands a fortune from $11B Gilead buyout. Story
> Celgene halts Revlimid prostate cancer PhIII as survival trend falls short. News
> Biotech building boom restricted to top "micro" hot spots. Report
Medical Device News
> Flexuspine adds $2.1M to Series B. News
> Boston Scientific gets FDA nod for heart stent. More
> Sphere gets regulatory OK for manufacturing products in U.K. facility. Item
Vaccine News
> Study: Vaccine developers should target deadliest cancers. Article
> Selecta starts trial of synthetic nano-vaccine for smoking. News
> Combo vaccines may cost doctors money. Report
Drug Delivery News
> Will third time be the charm for Transcept's sleep drug? Article
> Drug coupled with peptide delivers targeted tumor treatment. Story
> FDA accepts Otsuka's app for long-lasting Abilify. Report
> Drug coupled with peptide delivers targeted tumor treatment. News
> Drug delivery may be possible through new polymer bathed in infrared light. Report
And Finally... People who are overweight in middle age are more likely to develop Alzheimer's, while people in the earliest phases of Alzheimer's tend to have a lower body mass index. More