@FiercePharma: Fast cost-cutting puts Merck KGaA a year ahead on financial targets. Aims to hit 2014 $$ early. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
> Despite safety warnings against using cough and cold medicines in toddlers, almost half of parents are still using them, a survey found. Report
> Forty-three state and territorial attorneys general signed a letter addressed to the FDA asking for a "black box" warning on prescription painkillers, cautioning against their use in pregnancy. Report
> Celesio, the German-based drugs distributor, reported a drop in earnings as competition slashed prices charged to German pharmacies. Report
> A solar-power operator in New Jersey has run into another snag on a project that would supply electricity to Sanofi's ($SNY) U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ. Report
@FierceMedDev: Study: FDA medical device inspections up 47% under Obama. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: C.R. Bard has settled a DOJ case alleging kickbacks in exchange for use of its prostate cancer treatment. Release | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Invacare has cleared the first hurdle to getting past an FDA consent decree. Article | Follow @DamianFierce
> Boston Scientific accused of circumventing sale injunction in stent patent fight. Article
> HemCon, a struggling wound dressing device maker, is sold. Item
> Cizzle and Fujirebio team up for early-stage lung cancer Dx. DxExtra
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: In case you missed it last week: Henri Termeer rediscovers the 'Genzyme feel' in world of biotech startups. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Astellas chops OSI, Perseid ops in global R&D restructuring. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: AbbVie is forking over $70 million upfront in collab with Alvine for PhII drug against Celiac disease. Release | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Third Rock Ventures expands roster with Alnylam's CEO and Genzyme/Sanofi vet. More
> Suspicious lawmakers query FDA's Hamburg on sudden departure of deputy commish. News
Biotech Research News
@EmilyMFierce: Compound developed by Salk Institute scientists protects against Alzheimer's-related disease behaviors. Report | Follow @EmilyMFierce
> New therapeutic target found for pancreatic cancer. News
> Gene silencing technique could pave way for new class of drugs. Story
> Hormone reverses heart failure symptoms in mice. Item
> Vaccine stops cocaine from reaching brain in monkeys. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> FDA says scale of compounding problem is unclear. Report
> Airborne transit mooted as source of remote drug contaminants. Article
> Ranbaxy pleads guilty in $500M case. Story
> USP opens training center in Ghana to raise standards. Item
> WHO clears way for Sanofi's antimalarial ingredient. More
And Finally... Certain computer games may actually reverse declines in brain function associated with aging. Report