Fitch mulls ratings downgrade on J&J; Australian GSK aims to disclose doc payments;

@FiercePharma: NEJM data shows Avastin as effective as Lucentis. Item | Follow @FiercePharma

> Fitch Ratings said it is considering downgrading certain ratings for Johnson & Johnson, citing the company's move to buy Swiss medical device maker Synthes Inc. for $21.3 billion. News

> The Australian arm of GlaxoSmithKline will work towards publicly declaring how much it pays individual doctors and other healthcare professionals. Item

> Abbott Laboratories got the FDA nod for a new, higher-concentration version of its testosterone treatment Androgel. Story

> Bowel cancer patients and oncologists are pleading for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's cabinet to approve the listing of the drug Erbitux on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Report

> Spanish blood products firm Grifols said it had agreed to sell some of its assets and make commercial agreements that could see its planned $4 billion takeover of rival Talecris approved by U.S. authorities. Article

> Acura Pharmaceuticals said its CEO Andrew Reddick, 58, died on Thursday, while on medical leave from the company. News

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech:  Oncothyreon raises $40M for cancer work. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce:  Derek Lowe's blog spot is getting a lot of buzz about the Pfizer layoffs coming down. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Pfizer's R&D restructuring puts two drug prospects in spotlight. Article 

> Appeals panel endorses federal spending on embryonic stem cell R&D. Story

> FTC deal clears path for Grifols' $4B Talecris buyout. News 

> AZ drops its option on Targacept schizophrenia program. Item 

Biotech IT News

> MIT invents software for building DNA structures. Report

> Computer models aid fight against flu. Story 

> Social networks say they have vital info to add to clinical trials. Item 

> New computational models help solve protein mysteries. Article 

> New tech helping labs go virtual. News

> How can IBM's Watson aid pharma researchers? Story


Medical Device News

> Report: Medtronic CEO to stay on until successor found. Story 

> Nobel Biocare Q1 profit dips, submits bid for Astra Tech. Report 

> Gen-Probe jumps on takeover speculation. News

> FDA looks to reduce exposure to improperly reprocessed devices. Item

> OrSense closes $18M in financing. Story

> Spring-Set Health Solutions gets 510(k) clearance for diabetes treatment. Article

> Brainsway to offer 1.8M shares. News 

And Finally... A drug developed to treat Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer, may also help prevent human prostate cancer from spreading, new lab studies show. Report