FDA green-lights wider use of Alere's rapid influenza test; NICE gives thumbs-down to Millennium Pharma's drug for Crohn's;

@FiercePharma: Whistle-blowing Bayer sales rep wins again in wrongful termination suit. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Bayer drafts 'Community' star to launch cult-favorite hangover cure in U.S. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> The FDA gave its blessing for wider use of Alere's ($ALR) rapid molecular test for influenza. Story

> U.K. cost gatekeeper NICE issued draft guidance recommending against the use of Millennium Pharmaceuticals' Entyvio drug for Crohn's disease. More

> Teva Pharmaceutical ($TEVA) launched its generic copycat of Novartis' ($NVS) blood pressure med Diovan in the U.S. Story

> Anacor's ex co-founder David Perry has signed onto Symbiota, a Cambridge, MA-based start-up agricultural plant health company, as its president and chief executive officer. More

> Aveo Oncology said it plans to eliminate two-thirds of its workforce as part of a corporate restructuring effort. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Graphene 'flying carpet' strips deliver two #cancer drugs, each to a different cell target. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: Cancer Genetics gets nod to offer cancer testing in California. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> FDA clears pivotal trial for permanent use of artificial heart. Story

> Shockwave's energy-delivering angioplasty balloon for PAD receives CE mark. Article

> New technology can spot cavities early, but is that necessary? News

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Aveo guts its R&D operation, cutting two-thirds of its payroll. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Eyeing an IPO, Genkyotex banks a $21M round for PhII study -- NOX inhibition. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Another roughly $65M in biotech VC announced today, making for a three-day total nearing $700M. | Follow @DamianFierce

> Alkermes sees PhII promise for schizophrenia drug that doesn't pack on pounds. Story

> Pfizer, NEA orphan drug project launches its first biotech on PhII/III threshold. Report

> Zafgen's promising obesity drug comes through in another midstage trial. More

> Blend banks $21M for its nano-assisted cancer drugs. Article

Drug Delivery News

> Palo Alto pain management startup Carbylan vies for $86M IPO. Article

> Blend Therapeutics receives $21M in Series B round. Item

> Australia's EnGeneIC receives $10M in Series B round for studies of anticancer delivery tech. News

> Graphene 'flying carpet' strips deliver two cancer drugs, each to a different cell target. Report

> NeuroDerm's subcutaneously delivered alternative to oral levodopa shows promise in Parkinson's trial. More

Diagnostics News

> HTG Molecular Diagnostics mulls $60M IPO for next-gen profiling technology. Report

> Illumina blazes into 2015 with plans for new California campus. News

> Molecular Dx maker CombiMatrix wins a battle in insurance fraud lawsuit. Article

> Cancer Genetics gets nod to offer cancer testing in California. More

> Israel's Itamar looks to China, Canada and beyond for growth. Story

Pharma Marketing News

> Do rival DTC campaigns help your own brand? Yes, a study shows--up to a point. Report

> FDA's marketing police wrote only 10 tickets in 2014. Story

> Whistle-blowing Bayer sales rep wins again in wrongful termination suit. More

> Pfizer complains, advertising watchdog acts against Novartis Theraflu promo. Article

> Bayer drafts 'Community' star to launch cult-favorite hangover cure in U.S. News

And Finally… Pharmaceuticals and chemicals from personal care products could produce harmful toxins in swimming pools, according to a new study. More