Merck KGaA doesn't like sharing a name; AbbVie extends $21B Pharmacyclics offer; Xarelto wins new use in China;

@FiercePharma: Busy WuXi starts construction on China's largest biologics manufacturing plant. FiercePharmaAsia article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Drug shortages become way for Mylan to parry against Teva but will the FTC care? ICYMI from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce

> Germany's Merck KGaA continues to lament the fact that it shares its name with Merck ($MRK), the U.S.-based drug giant. Report (sub. req.)

> AbbVie ($ABBV) extended its $21 billion tender offer for Pharmacyclics ($PCYC) for the second time, with a new deadline of May 15. Report (sub. req.)

> Bayer said its anticoagulant Xarelto is now approved for three indications in China. Report

> Generic formulations of the Novartis ($NVS) transplant-rejection med Prograf (tacrolimus) perform as well as their branded counterpart, University of Cincinnati researchers found in a new study. Report

> Long-term data on complications with a Bayer contraceptive device, Essure, has patients and others petitioning FDA to pull its approval. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI: Greatbatch spins off neurostimulation unit to speed up growth. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI from FierceDiagnostics: Drug testing company Cordant raises $12.8M as it seeks to be fragmented industry's one-stop shop. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Novartis faces more kickback scrutiny after $45M Express Scripts settlement. FiercePharma story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> China launches probe against three med tech multinationals over bribery suspicions. Story

> Under FDA investigation, Bayer releases new data on Essure contraceptive with a positive twist. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: A gene therapy 'cure' for blindness starts to fade within a few years. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Pharma wants to avoid "Gilead's gaffe?" Really? I assume you mean they want to avoid the controversy, keep the $$$. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Bayer fronting $155M for a promising anticoagulant from Isis Pharma. Report

> Acucela's founder wrests back the reins after proxy battle. Story

> Waksal's new biotech spins out its gene therapy biz with an IPO in mind. Article

Animal Health News

> VCA animal hospitals report higher Q1 earnings. More

> Missouri scientists seek public's help in quest to sequence feline genomes. Report

> IDEXX misses earnings target, dampens 2015 forecast. Story

> Chicken producer Tyson to ditch human antibiotics in 2017. Item

> High-flyer Akorn crashes on earnings restatement as shareholders sue en masse. Article

Biotech IT News

> Genentech joins WaferGen's single cell analysis early-access program. Item

> GSK's social media savvy bags it 2nd place in digital ranking of big British businesses. More

> Apple Watch's data-gathering functions fall short of expectations. Story

> California calls for precision medicine pilot proposals. Report

> Congress keeps trial data sharing plan in slimmed-down 21st Century Cures Act. Article

And Finally... Costco ($COST) accused Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) eye care unit of fixing prices on contact lenses. Report (sub. req.)