Express, Medco say merger still on track; Elan in throes of CEO search;

 @FiercePharma:  10 largest U.S. patent losses. News | Follow @FiercePharma

> Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions ($MHS) said they still expect their $29 billion merger to close during the first half of 2012, despite regulatory concerns about the deal. News

> Elan says it has launched its search for a new CEO to replace Kelly Martin, who is stepping down next year. Story

> Pfizer ($PFE) and Medco Health Solutions ($MHS) agreed to collaborate on research into matching patients with treatments that benefit them most. Release

> Generics maker Perrigo reported expectations-beating profits of $70.5 million on strong sales in consumer healthcare and prescription drugs. Article

> Current flu shots offer "moderate protection" against sickness, but the effects vary greatly from season to season, and evidence of efficacy in the over-65 population is "elusive," a New England Journal of Medicine study found. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Joint Pfizer and UCSF drug development teams get a green light. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Headed to Dusseldorf over the weekend to moderate a panel on biopharma/academic collabs. Hot topic these days. | Follow@JohnCFierce

 @MaureenFierce: RT @FierceBiotech: Special Report: 10 Promising Therapeutic Vaccines. Most are cancer vaccines. Report | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Biogen partners with Portola in $553M autoimmune drug pact. Article

> Russian fund leads $94.5M investment in two Langer biotechs. Item

Vaccines News

> Gilead, GlobeImmune team up on HBV vaccines. Article

> Diabetics under 60 should get hep B vaccine. Story

> FDA warns against needleless flu shots. Report

> CDC group backs Gardasil for boys. News

> Board considers anthrax vaccine trials--for kids. Story

Manufacturing News

> Novartis to cut 2,000 jobs in ops restructuring. Item

> China to ramp up epidemic vax system. Story

> Sanofi licenses hard-to-make asthma drug to Acton. News

> Baxter issues precautionary recall of flu vaccine. Report

And Finally... Study shows that hormonal changes caused by weight loss linger over the long term, boosting the risk of regaining pounds. Item