Merck prepared to shell out $27.7M for Fosamax suits; Boehringer failed to preserve Pradaxa files;

@FiercePharma: Teva braces for a $550M hit from Copaxone generics. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: As this story says, Merck was getting heat on Fosamax litigation it is now settling. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Pfizer loses Supreme Court bid to squash $142M Neurontin verdict. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Merck ($MRK) says it's prepared to fork over $27.7 million to settle lawsuits with those who claim its osteoporosis drug Fosamax caused their jaw bones to deteriorate. Report

> Boehringer Ingelheim will pay a $931,000 fine for failing to preserve files related to the development and marketing of blood thinner Pradaxa. Report

> The EU has granted marketing authorization to Novo Nordisk ($NVO) for its hemophilia drug NovoEight. Report

> Eli Lilly ($LLY) has entered into India's branded generics segment with the launch of four cancer drugs. Report

> New Forest Laboratories ($FRX) CEO Brent Saunders is putting together a new team to carry out the restructuring announced last week. Release

> Lupin has received final FDA approval for its copy of ViiV Healthcare's HIV-fighting Trizivir tablets. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Edwards looks to a rocky 2014 as Medtronic looms. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: $100M gets CareFusion a minority stake in an Israeli infusion pump maker--they're old friends as well. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: New Hologic CEO aims for Dx revenue growth over sale option. Item | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@GalenMoore: Genetic testing: Invitae completes a $40 million series E financing. Release | Follow @GalenMoore

> St. Jude Medical will try again another day for U.S. renal denervation study. More

> Disgraced founder, former exec team sentenced in PIP breast implant scandal. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Alzheimers R&D: The biggest lottery in the industry, with a winning ticket worth an overnight fortune. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: So what are the 5 worst pharma media ops? Novartis certainly makes the list. Merck of course. Other suggestions? | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: The FDA's still wary of dapagliflozin, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb's once-rejected diabetes drug. More | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Nobel winner declares boycott of top science journals. Story via The Guardian | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> AbbVie's second PhIII hep C study confirms cocktail's promise. Item

> Danish officials cite Novo Nordisk for delay of game. Article

> Takeda sways FDA panel with its bowel disease drug despite viral risks. More

> FDA raises safety, efficacy questions for Bristol-Myers' rare-disease drug metreleptin. News

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Track-and-trace is here ... and now. Editor's corner

> FDA spanks a second Jubilant HollisterStier plant. More

> Alvogen makes a $250M biosimilars investment in Iceland. Story

> Biogen API plant gets nicked by the FDA. Article

> Hospira cuts costs by expanding drug and API production outside of the U.S. News

> Pharma Tech adds capacity as the CMO industry heats up. Report

> Feds close down importer that sold unapproved Botox and cancer drugs. Item

Biotech Research News

> Cellular Dynamics and Jain Foundation partner on stem cell models for muscular dystrophy. More

> GlaxoSmithKline initiates global cancer consortium. Item

> Report: Global malaria R&D needs $8.3B boost over next decade. Story

> Gene discovery could predict responsiveness of antidepressants. Report

> International Stem Cell Corp. finds a new way to reprogram cells. News

> 1 in 100 cancers associated with gene mutation. Article

And Finally... Some scientists in Israel are advocating for what could be the first nationwide screening campaign to test women for cancer-causing genetic mutations commonly found among Jews. Story (sub. req.)