Pfizer to lay off 50 from Durham, N.C., facility; Merck inks vaccine deal with MassBiologics;

@FiercePharma: Bayer picks ex-Novartis exec to lead healthcare division. Article |  Follow @FiercePharma

> Fungi, caterpillars, plants, bacteria: New frontiers in vaccine production. Story

> Pfizer will lay off 50 employees in Durham, N.C., in a previously announced aftershock of the $68 billion purchase of Wyeth late last year. Report

> Merck has entered a deal with tiny vaccine maker MassBiologics to distribute its vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria in 49 states, in the big drugmaker's latest move to remain dominant in vaccines. Report

> Novartis says it won FDA approval for Zortress, or everolimus, oral tablets for the prevention of rejection of kidney transplants in adult patients at low-to-moderate immunologic risk. Report

> Drug wholesaler AmerisourceBergen posted a 26 percent increase in quarterly profit, topping estimates, as it benefited from growth in more profitable generic medicines, new business and expense controls. Report

> Strides Arcolab got the tentative FDA nod for adenosine injection, a generic version of Astellas Pharma's Adenoscan. Report

> The FDA has given Sagent Pharmaceuticals the go-ahead to market Mesna, a drug used to cut the risk of haemorrhagic cystitis arising from ifosfamide chemotherapy. Report

Biotech News

  @FierceBiotech:  Decree spells out $175M fine, new penalties for Genzyme. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech 

 @JohnCFierce: AstraZeneca giving $25M to program which will offer grants to groups fighting cardio disease. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Alimera slashes IPO price while Codexis delivers at low end. Story

> Aragon Pharma readies first cancer trial after $22M B round. Report

> Westphal grabs reins at GSK's SR One, founds new venture group. Item

> FDA wants more details on panel members' potential conflicts. News

> Delcath shares shoot up on promising trial results. Article

Manufacturing News

> Filtration specialist Pall used Interphex as the launching pad for a single-pass tangential flow filtration product and a filter integrity test instrument. Report

> Live from Interphex: The impact of healthcare reform on pharma, biotech. Item

> Biogen Idec touts facility excellence award. Story

> Anti-counterfeiter sees collaborating regulators, public naming/shaming. Article

Vaccines News 

> Liquidia closes $25M Series C to fund vaccine delivery tech. Item

> NanoBio plans new hires as it targets hep B vaccine. Story

> Burst of H1N1 vax orders fuel spike in Novartis profits. Article

> Sanofi exec, Novartis pipeline snag vaccine awards. Report

> Gates: Ignoring malaria vax work was "criminal." News

And Finally... The FDA cares about your dog's health, too: It issued a bone advisory aimed at Rover. Report