AstraZeneca rolls out Forxiga combo drug in U.K.; Roche vs. Apotex patent fight goes forward; Sanofi's Aubagio wins coverage in Scotland;

@FiercePharma: Yesterday's top-read news: Gilead's Sovaldi sales through the roof already, analyst predicts at least $8B this year. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Every Dog Has Its Data: The quantified self for pets, via The New York Times. Article (sub. req.) | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: Pfizer's Effexor XR one of a host of recalls lately that include products from Mylan, Baxter and Gilead. More | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: As promised: BTG recoils at rattlesnake roundup 'gassing.' Item | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) launched its combination diabetes drugs Xigduo in the U.K. and won a recommendation for health service use of its related drug, Forxiga, in Scotland. Report

> Roche's ($RHHBY) Genentech unit can pursue its patent claims against the generics maker Apotex, a federal judge ruled, allowing a patent fight over the antiviral Valcyte to proceed. Report

> Sanofi ($SNY) won a place on Scotland's National Health Service formulary for its multiple sclerosis pill Aubagio. Report

> A U.S. judge kicked a Plavix marketing case back to West Virginia court, thwarting Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) and Sanofi's ($SNY) attempt to move it to federal court. Report

> U.S. cancer doctors worry that they won't be able to handle a surge in cancer cases at proposed Medicare reimbursement rates, at a time when costs of treatment, including drugs, are rising. Report

> Australia has scrapped its Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority, which makes pricing recommendations to government officials, as of April 1. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Lombard Medical in the U.K. detailed plans for a proposed $80M IPO driven by its aortic repair device. S-1 form | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Exosome Diagnostics raised $27M to bring its prostate cancer urine test to market. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Nanoparticles breach blood-brain barrier as possible Alzheimer's treatment. Item from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Industry report shows bleak 2013 for med tech industry. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@GalenMoore: Spanish researchers find a protein adults need for brain plasticity could delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Abstract | Follow @GalenMoore

> Roche and Bayer expand their companion Dx partnership into multiple projects. Article

> TriVascular envisions a $100M IPO to propel AAA stent graft rollout. News

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Kythera buys back Bayer's stake in PhIII chin-fat therapy in $84M deal. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Commentary--The dying child vs. the biotech: Everybody loses. Editor's Corner | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Yesteryear's megamergers are, in part, driving Big Pharma's external R&D push, says John LaMattina. Forbes piece | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Scientists from Notre Dame ID new class of antibiotics to combat MRSA. Story | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Lumena banks $45M and hits the gas on two liver treatments. More

> Novartis's new Basel campus reflects Vasella's (now out-of-fashion) style. Article

Biotech Research News

> University of Notre Dame team IDs new class of antibiotics. Article

> Stem cell therapy improves Parkinson's symptoms in monkeys. Story

> NIH faces flat funds in president's 2015 budget proposal. News

> Seattle BioMed receives $10M NIAID grant to lead AIDS vaccine effort. News

> Antipsychotic drugs may have another use: Treating deadly brain tumors. Story

> OHSU opens new stem cell research center. Brief

Pharma Manufacturing News

> BMS joins Merck with plans to whack plants in Ireland. News

> Global rise in pain drug use puts the hurt on Tasmania's poppy production. Story

> Source: Ranbaxy shops for Nexium API to salvage lucrative launch. Article

> Ranbaxy recalls generic Lipitor after druggist finds 20-mg dose in 10-mg bottle. News

> Pfizer recalls bottles of antidepressant that might have a heart drug mixed in. Story

> Pfizer is expanding its plant in Indonesia--again. Brief

And Finally... The state of Colorado brought in about $2 million in extra tax revenue during the first month of recreational marijuana sales there. Report