Amgen sells 360-worker facility to Boehringer; U.K.'s watchdog broadens use of Alzheimer's meds;

 @FiercePharma: Another J&J recall, another hit to J&J's image. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Amgen will sell its Fremont, California, research and manufacturing operations to Boehringer Ingelheim for an undisclosed price; 360 employees currently work there. Report

> Biomarkers finally get respect, but challenges remain. Article 

> Israeli researcher finds blood cancer biomarkers. Item 

> Pfizer and Eisai's Aricept, Shire's Reminyl and Novartis' Exelon won backing from the U.K. cost-effectiveness watchdog for expanded use in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, in addition to more severe illness. News

> There is not enough evidence to recommend widespread use of statins like Pfizer's Lipitor or AstraZeneca's Crestor in people with no previous history of heart disease, scientists said in a new review. Story

> Mylan shares jumped in trading after the generic drugmaker said it received approval to make three doses of a generic version of Bayer's Precose tablets, which are used to treat diabetes. Mylan release | Item

> GlaxoSmithKline has started a pivotal study testing intravenous zanamivir, approved in inhaled form as Relenza, against Roche's best-selling pill Tamiflu as a treatment for patients hospitalised with influenza. Article

> J&J job ads emphasize change in focus. News 

> San Diego's Cadence Pharmaceuticals said that it has launched Ofirmev, the first intravenous formulation of acetaminophen, in the U.S.; it won FDA approval in November. Report

> Colin Mackenzie has been appointed the new president of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare North America, succeeding Roger Scarlett-Smith, who will become president of GSK Consumer Healthcare Europe. News

> DNA overexpression might be cancer biomarker. Report 

> Canada risks losing out on the next wave of lucrative pharmaceutical investment and jobs unless it matches tougher patent protection for drugmakers in the U.S. and Europe, says a new report for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Story

> Biomarkers are biting on scientific fishing expedition. Article

> Takeda, Zinfandel double-team Alzheimer's biomarker. Item  

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Feds' $1B antiterror drug development program yields little. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Ariad shares shot up 36% on this morning's sarcoma data. Three weeks isn't much time, but deadly cancers have their own metric for success. | Follow @JohnCFierce 

> Pfizer, Theraclone ink $632 R&D deal for cancer, infectious disease. News 

> Roche, Plexxikon melanoma drug extends patients' lives. Article 

> pSivida raises $11M in RDO. Story 

> Ironwood, Protagonist ink peptide discovery deal. Report 

Drug Delivery News

> Lincoln Pharma gets patent for nasal delivery of anti-vomiting drug. Story 

> Hot gold nanoparticles can cook cancer cells. Report 

> Spider silk protein could make terrific delivery device. Item 

> Cancer cells hit with a 'Big Mac' attack. Article 

> A magnet car for your GI tract could deliver meds. Story

Medical Device News

> PwC: Emerging med tech markets catching up to U.S. Item

> Smiths Group rejects $3.9B offer for medical unit. Story 

> S&N: We're not in merger talks. Report 

> Report: iWalk raises $15M. News 

> Obama: FDA med device changes coming today. Article 

> Tornier releases IPO terms. Report

> Oval Medical raises cash, reports positive study results. News 

And Finally... Two online communities for doctors have launched a strategic alliance to help them expand their reach internationally, aiming for business from the pharma industry. Report