@FiercePharma: No dice for proposed menopause meds at FDA. Reviewers say benefits of Depomed, Noven drugs are "marginal." Article | Follow @FiercePharma
> Three of AstraZeneca's ($AZN) Australian patents on Crestor were struck down in an ongoing global fight over the statin drug's patent protection. Report
> Roche ($RHHBY) won European approval for its new breast cancer treatment Perjeta, intended for use in combination with the company's older drug, Herceptin. Report
> Bayer plans to fight India's patent board ruling against exclusivity for its cancer drug Nexavar, which now faces generic competition under a compulsory license. Report
> Cubist Pharmaceuticals tapped Michael Tomsicek to replace David McGirr as CFO; Tomsicek has been deputy CFO since July. Report
> Florida's legislature is balking at the idea of expanding Medicaid coverage despite Gov. Rick Scott's new support of the plan. Report
@FierceMedDev: Japan readies guidelines for Sequenom prenatal Down syndrome Dx. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: A Down syndrome Dx is about to hit the market in Japan with lots of restrictive guidelines to prevent misuse. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Dako has won FDA approval for its companion diagnostic for blockbuster hopeful Kadcyla. Article | Follow @DamianFierce
> Intuitive faces lawsuits over much-scrutinized da Vinci. Story
> Budget battles hold new FDA user fees hostage. Report
> GOP cadre fears device tax could target smartphones, tablets and apps. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Trending on FierceBiotechIT.com: GSK jumps new IT hurdles in 'real-world' test of blockbuster hopeful. Editor's Corner | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Celgene buys into upstart's new approach to evaluating cancer drugs- $13M upfront for Presage, a Jim Olson startup. More | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: With Humer stepping down, who should be Roche's next chairman? Seems unlikely to be CEO Schwan. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Onyx maps fresh expansion for SF campus. Item
> Specialty med price shock rattles ill-equipped payers. Report
> Depomed slams brakes on hot-flash drug after FDA advisers vote to reject. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Endo expands, upgrades Qualitest plant. Article
> GSK sues Hospira over vaccine deal gone bad. More
> Capsugel bags Encap for lipid technology. News
Biotech Research News
@EmilyMFierce: New target found for common pediatric brain tumor. Article | Follow @EmilyMFierce
> New target found for common pediatric brain tumor. Item
> Sarepta reports promising preclinical results for antibioterrorism drug. More
> Misshapen chemo drug particles may be better at targeting breast cancer. Article
> Sequester cuts come down heavy on scientific, medical research. Story
> Mouse neurons live longer than the brains they came from. Item
And Finally... Gilead Sciences' drugs are failing to prevent HIV infections in African women because they don't take the meds as directed. Report