@FiercePharma: In case you missed it: More job cuts at Merck as manufacturing in Rathdrum, Ireland, is phased out. 280 positions to go. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: JNJ withdraws 2.3 million packs of K-Y sex lubricants and won't bring them back. FDA says no safety risk. More | Follow @EricPFierce
> Two to three patients are week are still being diagnosed with fungal meningitis tied to drugs made by compounder New England Compounding Center, raising concerns that the incubation period is longer than first believed. Story
> Patients are still getting the flu and the FDA says most supplies of the treatment Tamiflu are available. Notice
> South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare Holdings, that continent's largest generic drugmaker, saw first-half earnings grow 12% on sales in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Article
> Roche ($RHHBY) says the FDA has approved its new quantitative lab test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) loads. Item
> Actavis ($ACT) is making a generic version of Novartis' ($NVS) Exelon Patch therapy for treatment of dementia associated with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. Report
@FierceMedDev: St. Jude eyes FDA approval with trial for stroke-stopping heart plug. News | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: Sequenom's Down Syndrome prenatal Dx juiced revenue tremendously in 2012. Release | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Florida's OrbusNeich is suing Boston Scientific, saying the device giant violated its stent patents. Story | Follow @DamianFierce
> Sequenom's prenatal Down syndrome Dx supercharges 2012 revenue. News
> Study: Excess weight-loss risks harming CRT-D heart failure patients. Report
> EpicGenetics rolls out first fibromyalgia-specific blood Dx. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: In case you missed it yesterday: Sirtris co-founder fires back against resveratrol critics. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: J&J planning 5 new clinical studies for Xarelto, including CHF. | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Failed ALS study haunts Biogen in lawsuit from unhappy partner. Story | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Diehard cancer vaccine developer files for bankruptcy with plans to emerge. Article
> Scientist spotlights potential Achilles heel of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Report
> Biotech PTC reloads coffers with $60M for late-stage DMD drug. More
And Finally... The FDA, in new guidance says "latex free" is out and drugmakers instead should say, "not made with natural rubber latex"--to indicate when NRL was not used as a material in the medical product or product container. " Release