Merck expects China biz to outpace market; Sanofi board key to Genzyme deal;

 @FiercePharma: Breast cancer patients press FDA to keep Avastin. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Merck & Co expects to grow as fast or faster than China's broader pharmaceutical market, now expanding by more than 20 percent each year, as Beijing rolls out a new healthcare system and an emerging middle class spends more money on medicine. Story

> An oil major, a luxury cosmetics company and independent Sanofi-Aventis directors including a former astronaut will have a key say in what may be the next multibillion-dollar merger to shake the global pharmaceutical industry. Report

> Shire expects to feel little if any impact from an FDA investigation into the safety of hyperactivity medicines, scheduled for release early next year. Item

> Novo Nordisk has launched an iPhone app for U.S. healthcare professionals that enables them to look up dosing guidelines for their patients with diabetes. Article

> Lawyers suing drug maker Bayer claim they have good reasons to investigate a product they haven't sued over, but their reasons remain secret. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Bluebird in spotlight after gene therapy cures blood disorder. Article  | Follow @FierceBiotech

> Cell Therapeutics gets OK to sell more shares. News

> Crucell eagerly accepts $2.3B buyout offer from J&J. Story

> Transition, Lilly kill diabetes program after trial failure. Article

> Arena fails to convince FDA panel on obesity drug. News

> Burrill to Minnesota: No ink on that $1B biopark contract. Report

> Explosive Chinese market inspires new Merck pact on personalized meds. Story

And Finally... Pfizer is looking to make more bucks from Fido, Fifi and farm animals. Report