Prempro liability trial opens in Philly; Sanofi, Merck choose chief for animal health JV;

 @FiercePharma: GSK tosses sales targets for U.S. reps. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

> In the latest court test for Prempro and Pfizer, a Philadelphia judge heard opening arguments for another breast cancer liability case. Report

> Sanofi-Aventis and Merck have tapped Raul Kohan, an executive who led Schering-Plough's animal health business, to lead their proposed Merial-Intervet joint venture. Release | Report

> Cephalon significantly raised its full-year forecast and posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, a week after the drugmaker said its second-quarter sales and earnings would exceed its own previous view. Release | Report

> Gilead Sciences issued $2.2 billion of convertible notes in the biggest sale in eight months as the securities are poised for their best monthly gain since July 2009. Report

> The U.K.'s National Health Service is spending too much on diabetes drugs, which now account for 7 percent of the country's prescribing budget, researchers say. Report

> German healthcare group Fresenius hiked its 2010 outlook and said first-half earnings were significantly higher than the market expected, as its infusion drugs unit Kabi launched new products. Report

> The FDA has hired a broadband TV producer to head its online communications as the agency seeks to beef up its online content and launch a drug safety blog. Report

> GW Pharmaceuticals' cannabis-derived medicine Sativex has been approved in its second European market, Spain, as an add-on therapy for spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. Report

> A startup biotech company has been spun out of the Medical College of Georgia with plans to develop new biomarkers for diabetes and cancer. Story

> Fast-growing Tethys Bioscience has garnered $33 million from venture firms and lenders and plans to put the money to work beefing up its marketing effort for a predictive diabetes test that scans blood for seven key biomarkers. News

> Belgium's MabCure says that it has found a new and better way to identify the unique markers associated with ovarian cancer. This discovery may help to identify the lethal disease while it's still likely that treatment can prolong a patient's life. Story

> Brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose, leading to late or incorrect treatment. However, researchers may soon be able to identify biomarkers allowing them to catch brain injuries with a simple blood test. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: On the Radar: Five high-value biotech stocks. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: There's an incredible lack of new Genzyme rumors this morning. Not even much sheer speculation. | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Illumina nabs Helixis' gene tech in $105M buyout deal. Report

> Regeneron inks $295M antibody discovery deal with Astellas. Article

> Can Trius get market mojo working with $84M IPO? Piece

Medical Device News

> AxioMed gets $14.5M for spinal disc trial. Report

> Thoratec calls off $110M sale of ITC division. News

> Close vote at Amplify panel meeting. Article

Drug Delivery News

> TB drug delivery: aerosol vs. oral. Report

> Model predicts how drugs navigate the body. Story

> MedGenesis passes blood-brain barrier with Parkinson's drug. News

> Nanoparticles blast their way into cancer cells. Piece

And Finally... Many biologic drugs contain sugar molecule components that could undermine their effectiveness in some patients and cause chronic inflammation, researchers said. Report