Novartis taps Turkey for regional HQ, new plant; Eisai, Minophagen ink Targretin deal;

@FiercePharma: Bayer fails to block class-action status for 8 women's sex-discrimination claims--BloombergNews | Follow @FiercePharma

> Novartis ($NVS) will make Turkey its home base for central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the company said, and plans to set up a new manufacturing plant there. Report

> Eisai granted Targretin rights in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe to Minophagen Pharmaceutical, for an undisclosed up-front payment and milestones after that. Article

> Roche ($RHHBY) CEO Severin Schwan said he was disappointed at Illumina's ($ILMN) rejection of a sweetened bid and called on shareholders to vote for Roche's slate of directors. News

> Teva Pharmaceutical ($TEVA) shares jumped after it launched exclusive copies of Sanofi's ($SNY) blood pressure drugs Avapro and Avalide, on top of its new generic version of the narcolepsy drug Provigil acquired along with Cephalon last year. Item

> Now that FTC has approved the merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, questions remain about its effects on drug prices for pharma and costs for consumers. More

> Switzerland's pharma ingredients maker Lonza named Richard Ridinger as its new CEO, aiming to move toward chemicals production. Story

> Long-term use of estrogen-only hormone drugs does increase breast-cancer risk, a study found, supplementing recent research by suggesting that less than 10 years of therapy did not pose a higher risk. Report

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech:  Apple emerges as 'dominant' life sciences IT player. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Small trial "suggests " bapineuzumab reduces tau tangles in Alzheimer's. And guess what? No sign of clinical benefit. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: AstraZeneca desperately needs to restock its pipeline, and chips away at the problem with this Amgen deal: Release | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Bayer bolsters blockbuster case for regorafenib with new PhIII data. More

> Stemline bets $50M IPO on a pair of cancer stem cell treatments. Story

> Google contributes to $14M round for fast-growing Adimab. News

Medical Devices News

@FierceMedDev: Good news for battle-worn firm? Olympus Gets Alliance Offers From Sony, Fujifilm, Terumo--Bloomberg Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

> Maquet, Siemens team up for hybrid OR. Item

> Biomet looks to score DePuy's trauma biz for $280M. Story

> Latest Illumina rejection stings Roche. Report

> MHRA urges docs to avoid some metal hips. News

Manufacturing News

> FDA says NuSil must get at root of contamination. More

> FDA creates new standard for cargo theft. Article

> Novasep drawing on €40 million to fund international expansion. Item

> Traditional meds pose tough challenge to manufacturing. Report

Biotech Research News

> Study: DNA sequencing dubious as disease prevention tool. Story

> Deadly mushroom defeats human pancreatic cancer in mice. News

> Australian team produces bone stem cells, no marrow required. More

> Stanford CD47 breakthrough fights tumors in multiple cancers. Item

And Finally... In a potential boon for allergy drug makers, but a bust for allergy sufferers, pollen season appears to be lengthening and strengthening. Report