Pfizer's Torisel fails to best Nexavar in trial; Merck KGaA's Erbitux lacks as an add-on to chemo, study says;

 @FiercePharma: Patients 'waiting up to nine years' for NICE to approve drugs, a U.K. study finds--TelegraphStory | Follow @FiercePharma

> Pfizer ($PFE) said its kidney cancer drug Torisel failed to beat Bayer's Nexavar at improving progression-free survival in a phase III trial. Nexavar bested Torisel on overall survival, the study's secondary endpoint. Report

> Merck KGaA's colorectal cancer drug Erbitux failed a late-stage trial as an add-on to standard chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Article

> Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) won FDA approval for a new plant in Massachusetts, where it will produce its rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia. Item

> Pfizer plans to cut about 50 jobs at an estrogen-extraction facility in Canada, where the company processes the hormone for its Premarin menopause drug. News

> Novartis ($NVS) sued Indian genericsmakers Lupin and Torrent Pharmaceuticals for patent infringement to block copycat versions of its Exforge HCT blood pressure drug. More

> Piramal Healthcare agreed to buy Decision Resources, a data and services provider, for $635 million. Story

> Cardinal Health agreed to shut down the distribution of controlled substances at a Florida warehouse for two years to settle Drug Enforcement Agency allegations. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: MIT: Staggering cancer drugs can make them more effective. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @RyanMFierce: It's only a matter of time before fat taxes are everywhere. Obesity costs too much, and taxes on smokes paved the way. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce

 @JohnCFierce: Stealth no more: Ra Pharma in Cambridge nails $8.6M venture tranche, targets hereditary angioedema for the lead. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Elevation boasts 'gold standard' IIb data for COPD therapy. Item

> Achillion burnishes buyout prospects, snags fast track for hep C drug. News

> Cancer drug experts brace for ASCO abstract dump tonight. Report

Medical Device News

 @FierceMedDev: Folks, the clock is ticking. Get your nominations in for the 15 fiercest device developers. Survey | Follow @FierceMedDev

> NeuroSigma buys patents that advance TFN stents. Report

> OraSure's OTC HIV test wins crucial FDA panel backing. Article

> Medtronic's Resolute Integrity stent gains CE mark for 7 new indications. More

> St. Jude wins CE mark for hypertension treatment device. Item

Drug Delivery News

 @DamianFierce: Using self-assembling DNA tubes, Harvard researchers plan to effectively deliver drugs to cells. News | Follow @DamianFierce

> UNC researchers craft siRNA platform that can switch its solubility. Report

> MIT: Staggering cancer drugs can make them more effective. Story

> Japanese firm buys Altea's assets, plans to launch transdermal tech. Article

> D. Medical signs worldwide marketing deal for insulin-delivery tech. Item

Biomarkers News

> Genes tag schizophrenia risk. More

> Proteins in a drop of fluid mark osteoarthritis risk. Report

> Early pancreatic biomarker could spot killer disease. Article

> Gene IDs fast-onset Parkinson's disease. Story

And Finally... The World Health Organization warned that chronic diseases common in rich nations are spreading rapidly in the developing world. Report