Greece lifts ban on drug exports; NICE ready to back 7 biologic RA meds;

@FiercePharma: ICYMI yesterday: Ireland plant with 100 workers on Sun's list for sale or closure. Item | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Sun targets Ranbaxy plant in Ireland as it prepares to trim manufacturing network. FiercePharmaManufacturing story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Icahn casts his eye on Vivus with tender offer for convertible notes. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Greece lifted its ban on re-export of a range of medications, instituted in July on worries of drug shortages during the country's financial crisis. Report

> U.K. cost-effectiveness watchdogs are preparing to recommend seven biologic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, including two biosimilar meds. Report

> The market for snake antivenom in the U.S.--where prices can be more than $14,000 per vial, compared with a few hundred in other countries--illustrates the "broken" nature of the American system of paying for drugs, a researcher said. Report

> Pharmacy beneifts manager Express Scripts said its CEO, George Paz, would retire in May, to be replaced by its current president, Tim Wentworth. Report

> India may join a Geneva-based inspection cooperative to allow drug exporters to avoid multiple regulatory visits, but the effort could require some drugmakers to upgrade their manufacturing facilities. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Biogen CEO says the biotech aims to develop wearable and ingestible devices. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Robotic surgery aspirant receives $4M+ in equity financing. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharma: Roche CEO: Despite China worries, emerging markets will continue to deliver growth. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> JAMA: Women face increased risk for second vaginal mesh surgery 10 years after implant. More

> Delphinus raises $39M+ to back pivotal trial of more effective dense breast tissue ultrasound imaging. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Penn scientists identify viral products that defend against respiratory syncytial virus. FierceBiotechResearch story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Who you going to buy? Gilead banks $10B, stirring fresh buzz about a blockbuster buyout. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Flemming Ornskov, "avid postcard and letter writer" who keeps up on household chores. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Clovis leaps as AstraZeneca's AZD9291 disappoints on lung cancer. Story

> CureVac turns to Cambridge, MA, to jump-start its mRNA pipeline. Item

> IBM debuts its hotly hyped 'cognitive cloud' health HQ in Cambridge. Article

> Takeda bets $500M on a freshly unstealthed biotech. Report

Vaccines News

> UC Berkeley scientists identify protein that causes dengue shock as a potential vaccine target. Item

> With limited ACIP nod, U.S. universities take different approaches to Pfizer, GSK MenB jabs. Report

> VBI Vaccines scores up to $265,000 from Canadian organization for RSV vaccine. Story

> Analysis: Sanofi's Fluzone High Dose for adults 65+ results in lower medical costs. Article

> Merck's Zostavax not cost-effective for those in their 50s: Study. More

CRO News

> Aragen licenses a protein technology to speed up biologics R&D. Item

> Rho snags a $120M federal contract with NIH. Story

> Recipharm signs on to make LobSor's Parkinson's drug as it negotiates with Novartis. Article

> Icon teams up with IBM to accelerate clinical trial startup. News

> Surging dollar blunts Catalent's revenue, but profits soar in fiscal '15. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Bangladesh-based Square Pharmaceuticals has two new plants online. Item

> Canada allows Apotex Indian plants to regain access to its markets. More

> GSK recalls more than 425K tubes of antibiotic cream. Report

> Sun targets Ranbaxy plant in Ireland as it prepares to trim manufacturing network. Article

> Glaxo starts $153M plant in India. Story

Pharma Asia News

> Japan's Takeda gets U.S. FDA priority review for ixazomib. Item

> FT counts 39 plants banned in India as regulatory woes mount for drugmakers. More

> China Daily carries lengthy industry-linked op-ed against overuse of stents. Report

> Apotex sees Health Canada lift ban on two India plants. Story

> Chugai and Roche get U.S. FDA priority review on alectinib. Article

And Finally... A consumer test for cancer DNA hit the market amid worries about its interpretation. Report