@FiercePharma: New chief picks team to fuse Actavis with Allergan. Article | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: ICYMI: Third round of cuts slated for Novartis US Diovan plant. Total reaches 133 with 394 more gone by 2016. Story | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Baxter backs away from vaccines with Vero tech sale to Nanotherapeutics. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Merck ($MRK) is considering using an $8 billion, 364-day bridge loan to finance its acquisition of Cubist Pharmaceuticals ($CBST). Story
> U.K. cost watchdog NICE is recommending Pfizer's ($PFE) kidney cancer treatment, Inlyta, after the company agreed to offer a price discount. More
> Hungarian drugmaker Richter is facing significant Q4 losses due in part to the declining value of the Russian rouble. Story
> Valeant Pharmaceuticals ($VRX) has set the date to unveil its forecast for 2015 sales. More
> Sucampo ($SCMP) appointed John Johnson to its board of directors. More
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: FDA clears laser-based comb to combat hair loss. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@StacyALawrence: GE-backed InSightec gets $59M for noninvasive surgical tool, adds ex-Mako CEO to board. More | Follow @StacyALawrence
@EmilyWFierce: Power morcellator fallout illustrates major flaw in FDA's device regulation. WSJ story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Fresenius adds blood purification tech to its dialysis offerings via partnership. Article
> FDA took a back seat in morcellator regulation, researchers say. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Cyclacel's cancer drug isn't working in Phase III, but that won't stop the trial. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Top Monday story: UPDATED: Onyx vet Tony Coles embarks on a new biotech adventure. More | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Scathing new ad for tightening regs on private equity. Story | Follow @DamianFierce
> Novartis wins an FDA nod for a long-acting spin on its rare disease drug. Report
> J&J punts a pair of new IBD drugs discovered at Galapagos. News
> Billionaire Soon-Shiong dives into immuno-oncology with $20M Sorrento venture. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Biocon to build new plant in Vizag, India. Report
> Industry Voices: The future of pharma manufacturing--new disruptive technologies that can impact whole industry structures. More
> Baxter has yet another recall of sodium chloride. News
> Teva continues to whittle down manufacturing network. Story
> Avid Bioservices doubling capacity at its California facility. Article
Biotech Research News
> Scientists look to a pathway in the gut to fix fatty liver disease. Piece
> Repurposed fibroblasts may open the door to new melanoma drugs, screening tech. More
> Investigators hit on a new class of stem cells. Item
> Joslin investigators urge cosmetics groups to get into anti-aging R&D. Article
> NIH's children's health study ends as a $1.2B disaster. Story
And Finally… UnitedHealthcare is testing a flat rate model for a year of cancer treatment at Houston, TX-based MD Anderson Cancer Center. Story (sub. req.)