Merck: Animal-health bidding goes well; Woman sues Xanodyne over newly yanked Darvocet;

@FiercePharma: Drug, device reps add iPads to tool belt. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Merck & Co expressed satisfaction about ongoing efforts, along with Sanofi-Aventis, to potentially sell some of their animal health products ahead of a planned new veterinary joint venture between the companies. Story

> A 31-year-old Queens woman became one of the first in the nation to sue pharmaceutical giant Xanodyne Saturday after developing heart problems while taking the painkiller Darvocet. News

> Hungarian drug maker Richter said that it signed an agreement with is marketing partner in China, Rxmidas Pharmaceuticals Holding, to set up a 50-50 joint venture. Report

> Swiss drugmaker Roche said on Monday Nestle Chief Paul Bulcke, Lufthansa head Christoph Franz and Royal Dutch Shell boss Peter Voser will stand for election to its board of directors next year. Article

> Bristol-Myers Squibb has appointed Amadou Diarra as general manager of its U.K. company, where he will be in charge of 440 staff working across three sites. Article

> Merck announced its completion of the sale of $2 billion worth of notes late Friday. News

> Abbott Laboratories said that its board declared a quarterly dividend of 44 cents per share payable Feb. 15. Story

> Aventis Pharma has said that it will sell its 49 percent stake in Chiron Behring Vaccines to its joint venture partner Novartis. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Biotech Calendar: FDA Drug Approvals in 2011. (by @adamfeuerstein) Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Amgen and Actelion CEOs got chummy last week, but no formal buyout offer was extended. News  | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Intercell readies deep R&D cuts after scrapping vax patch program. Article

> Will FDA's tough stance on obesity drive developers away? Item

> Sanofi stands pat as it extends offer for Genzyme. Report

Biotech IT News

> New programming language will drive DNA. Story

> Biopharma shows caution as cloud use rises. Story

> E-clinical providers report business uptick. Item

> Microsoft wins UW clinical data aggregators. Report

> SORIN opts for KIKA EDC in multi-center registries. Article

> RE-LY re-analysis reveals AE statistical conundrum. News

And Finally... A pilot who briefly attended medical school posed as a cardiologist to lead training seminars for doctors in Michigan. Report