AZ, Daiichi roll out Japanese iPhone app; India's Natco aims big with Copaxone copy; NICE backs bladder drug Enablex;

@FiercePharma: Aging population to fuel big leap in cancer cases--and drug sales. Can research keep up? ICYMI yesterday | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: FDA warning letter for Stride's Agila plant was overshadowed by Ranbaxy's news of third import alert. More from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Reps making fewer hospital visits; one tells the work lull has him "spending more time drinking tea and worrying about redundancy." | Follow @CarlyHFierce

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> AstraZeneca ($AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo rolled out an iPhone app, available only in Japanese, designed to educate patients about acid reflux and esophagitis; the two companies co-promote the stomach drug Nexium in Japan. Report

> Natco Pharma's proposed copy of the Teva Pharmaceutical Industries ($TEVA) multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone could dramatically boost its fortunes, but only if the drug wins FDA approval. Report

> The U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) backed Warner Chilcott's ($WCRX) Enablex (darifenacin) for urinary incontinence in women with overactive bladder. Report

> Toronto-based Axxess Pharma agreed to buy the assets of OTC healthcare company Revive Biosciences, including a best-selling pain reliever. Report (sub. req.)

> A member of parliament in the U.K. is supporting an inquiry into the availability of cutting-edge drugs for rare diseases. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Special Report: 'Big' med tech M&A deals getting smaller. Feature | Follow @FierceMedDev

@DamianFierce: Feisty company says Covidien willfully violated its patents, sues for injunction and cash. Story | Follow @DamianFierce

@MarkHFierce: Doctor-owned MRI facilities may be overused, a new study concludes. Article | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Special report from FierceDrugDelivery: The race for the artificial pancreas. Report | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Sonitus snags $10M to market hearing device. Story

> Natera heads east for prenatal Dx market expansion. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Next FierceBiotech Event: 'Big Data Gets Smart.' More | Register | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: In case you missed it, this is why ChemoCentryx got back the rights to vercirnon. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

@EmilyMFierce: CDC Threat Report: Yes, Agricultural Antibiotics Play a Role in Drug Resistance. Wired report | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Abandoned by GlaxoSmithKline, ChemoCentryx will try again on troubled Crohn's drug. Story

> Aerie Pharma jumps into IPO game with $58M pitch to investors. News

> Can AstraZeneca change a narrative of R&D retreat and defeat? More

> Report: Clovis looks to cash in on the bull market for biotechs. Article

Biomarkers News

> Study: Change in breast cancer biomarker indicates recurrence-free survival. More

> 'Better' lung cancer biomarker could aid early detection. More

> 12-year study flags new biomarker for high risk of diabetes. Story

> Three-gene biomarker could detect aggressive prostate cancer sooner. Article

> RAS mutations predict lack of response to Vectibix. Item

Drug Delivery News

> Drug delivery patch mimics adhesion used by beetles. More

> Mystic scores two platform patents for intraocular, intranasal delivery. Article

> Veritas wins European patent for RNA delivery method. Item

> Profectus begins PhI HIV vax trial with 'prime-boost' delivery. Story

> Microbottles with dissolving 'corks' deliver drugs in higher temps. Report

Diagnostics News

> Medicare Dx payment reform tackled in U.S. House bill. Article

> Adaptive Biotechnologies wins NIH backing for immune system Dx test. Story

> Doctors may be overusing MRI facilities they own. Report

> Canadian startup's analyzer could upend HIV, cancer Dx testing. Article

> International team builds 2 rapid tests for malaria treatment resistance. More

And Finally... Patients worry that prescription drug coverage under the new healthcare law might cost them more money. Report (sub. req.)