Elliott strikes back at Actelion with board nominees; NICE gives Merck's Simponi a thumbs up;

@FiercePharma: Herper: Cheap Lipitor could increase health costs. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Activist hedge fund Elliott Advisors is tapping six pharma executives and M&A experts to stand for election to the Actelion board, stepping up pressure for major changes at Europe's biggest biotech firm. Item

> The U.K.'s cost-effectiveness watchdog recommended Merck's injectable anti-inflammatory drug Simponi after the U.S.-based manufacturer provided more information about the product. Report

> FDA issued a warning letter to Novartis on its Ciba Vision facility in Cidra, Puerto Rico, for problems with product labeling and for continuing to use contract labs even after sterility issues. News

> ProStrakan, the pharmaceutical firm that has agreed to be bought by Japan's Kyowa Hakko Kirin, narrowed its full-year loss after bouncing back from manufacturing problems. Article

> One insider at Pfizer cashed in over half his direct holdings following a recent nearly three-year high. Story

> German drug distributor Celesio's Chief Executive Fritz Oesterle, who has had a strained relationship with the company's majority shareholder, is stepping down after more than 12 years. Item

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Five prostate cancer diagnostics to watch. Article  | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Novartis has mapped out a blockbuster future for INC424. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Interview: Pfizer vaccine unit eyes adults, infectious disease. Report 

> FivePrime scores $495M cancer deal with Human Genome Sciences. News 

> Genfit gets up to $54M in Sanofi deal. Story 

> Astellas buys out Maxygen stake in JV for $76M. News

Vaccines News

> UK and Scotland look at foot-and-mouth disease vax program. Report 

> OSU finds new delivery tech for norovirus vax. Item 

> Daiichi recalls Sanofi ActHIB vax in Japan. Report 

> Animal data supports J&J's Alzheimer's vaccine. Story

Manufacturing News

> Hamburg: FDA needs funding to hit inspection goal. Item 

> Obama administration's track/trace recommendation lacks teeth. News

> Japan pharma stocks fall; pharma aid rises. Story 

> OTC cold drug prescriptions get mixed review among states. Article 

> Ranbaxy's manufacturing woes make Daiichi buy a 'failure'. Item

> Obama lobbies Congress for track/trace. Story 

And Finally... Unemployment and rising expenses caused 9 million Americans to lose health insurance during the past two years, according to researchers backed by a group advocating access to health care. Report