EU starts black triangle requirement; J&J's talc on trial for cancer risk; Merck KGaA looks to more Erbitux sales;

@FiercePharma: For better social skills, scientists prescribe a little Chekov--or Alice Munro--or any literary fiction. More from the NYT | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: FDA approves another new hot flash drug, this one from Pfizer, Ligand. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Activist investor fumes over Otsuka bid for Astex. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> All drugs subject to additional monitoring in the EU will now have to display an inverted black triangle symbol as outlined in updated pharmacovigilance standards. Story

> Interim data from a long-term study show that Biogen Idec's ($BIIB) multiple sclerosis drug Tecfidera remained effective for patients taking the medicine for at least four years with no new safety problems. Story

> A jury in a trial in federal court in South Dakota is being asked to decide if Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) talcum-based body powder caused a woman's ovarian cancer. Story

> Orexigen Therapeutics ($OREX) is seeking approval in Europe for its obesity treatment Contrave in hopes of launching it there in 2015. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Covidien CEO: It's about how, not how much, you spend on R&D. ICYMI yesterday | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: The device tax repeal effort just won't die. Now, some House Dems have signed on. Article | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Hypertension drug could help chemo infiltrate tumors. ICYMI from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Cohealo pulls in $1.5M to push tech that manages med equipment use. News

> Echo Therapeutics slashes jobs, faces potential FDA delays for glucose monitor. Story

> J&J's DePuy settles CA metal hip lawsuit. Report

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Pharmalink grabs $15M VC round for key studies on cancer, renal disease drugs. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Most popular story yesterday: John Reed sets out on a long-distance run at Roche's pRED. Feature | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Turns out FierceBiotech has an app now. More info | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science? Report from the NYT | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Celgene forges $35M cancer, fibrosis discovery pact with PharmAkea. Article

> Report: Ikaria eyes $2B sale after up-and-down run. More

> Rival Amgen/AstraZeneca, Novartis drugs race ahead in crowded psoriasis showdown. Article

And Finally... Merck KGaA believes that new data showing that its cancer drug Erbitux has an advantage over competitor Avastin for colorectal cancer patients will help it boost sales of the product, which last year accounted of 8% of its revenues. Story