Novartis, GSK win EU's blessing for big asset swap; Baxter's forecast disappoints; India's Lupin now free to sell up to 49% stake;

@FiercePharma: GSK to divest meningitis shots in exchange for EU clearance of Novartis deal. More from FierceVaccines | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Do you want to know about the newest stents or heart valves approved by the FDA in 2014. Read on. Feature | Follow @EricPFierce

> European regulators approved the big asset swap proposed by Novartis ($NVS) and GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK), a deal designed to refocus the operations of both companies, provided the drugmakers divest several particular products. Report

> Baxter International ($BAX), which is preparing to spin off its biopharma business, reported strong fourth-quarter numbers, but its profits outlook for 2015 disappointed investors. Report

> Thanks to an Indian Cabinet decision, Lupin can now market a minority stake of up to 49% to foreign investors; the previous cap was 33%, and market-watchers figure on a potential capital influx of more than $1 billion. Report

> Two years in the making, a new draft of Pakistan's pricing policy, which would peg prices to those in neighboring India and Bangladesh, is raising hackles in the pharma industry. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Abiomed shares hit all-time high due to strong demand for its Impella heart pumps. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: Gilead zooms past AbbVie in hep C race with UnitedHealth deal. More | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> 2015 med tech IPO kick-off: Entellus exceeds expectations, while Presbia gets the deal done. Article

> China FDA approves Agilent's microarray scanner for in vitro diagnostics. Story

> Philips and Teva unveil new med tech incubator in Israel. Report

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: AstraZeneca bolts together a top transatlantic team for CRISPR R&D. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: If you contrast the $NVS approach to CRISPR and $AZN's, $NVS seems much more focused. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Christoph Westphal's Flex Pharma prices an $86.4M IPO. News | Follow @DamianFierce

> One big reason why CNS drug development has foundered. More

> Merck KGaA abandons Symphogen's cancer drug ahead of Phase III. Article

> AnaMar rethinks pipeline after analyzing ashes of failed trial. Story

> Karolinska Development CEO leaves 3 months after taking the job. Report

Vaccines News

> Novartis' Bexsero picks up FDA nod--but with competition looming, approval isn't everything. Article

> Pfizer's Prevenar price cut 'inadequate,' critics say. More

> Serum threatens Merck's Gardasil with low-cost competitor. Story

> First batch of GSK/NIH Ebola candidate shipped for Phase III trial in Liberia. Report

> GSK to divest meningitis shots in exchange for EU clearance of Novartis deal. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Chinese Pharmacopoeia venture up and running as safety push continues. More

> AmerisourceBergen again reports big leaps in revenue and earnings. Report

> GSK awards contract for API plant in Scotland. News

> International regulators offer to help India build expertise. Story

> Ranbaxy earnings pulled back down by manufacturing issues. Article

And Finally... Cholesterol-fighting statin drugs may actually benefit women as much as they do men. Report