RA patients develop resistance to Humira, study finds; Roche, FDA disagree on Avastin hearing;

@FiercePharma: Report: Roche, Novartis poised for personalized pharma. Item | Follow @FiercePharma

> Abbott Laboratories' Humira spurred resistance in more than a quarter of patients taking the rheumatoid arthritis drug in a study, a finding that may weaken demand for the company's top-selling medicine. Report

> Despite weeks of haggling, Roche and the FDA remain unable to agree on the questions to be addressed during a June hearing over Avastin's use in metastatic breast cancer. Story

> In another blow to diet drugs, Canadian researchers are reporting a suggested link between Roche's Xenical and an increase in kidney injuries. News

> Glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant brain tumor, is frustratingly elusive because it can appear in many forms. A team of researchers from the University of Cincinnati hope to shine a light on the brain tumor's multiple personalities by sequencing individual glioblastoma genomes and tracking abnormalities through the bloodstream, the university announced in a release. Story

> Researchers had a gut feeling that gastrointestinal bacteria are harmed by stress, which then weakens the entire immune system, but it took two biomarkers to help them prove it. Article

> An Inspire Pharmaceuticals shareholder filed a lawsuit claiming Merck's $430 million offer for the eye-care company is inadequate. Report

> In many ways, biomarkers are only as effective as the biosensors available to detect and monitor them. FDA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which funds high-risk technology, are getting together to accelerate development and approval of devices that can continuously monitor biomarkers in people. News

> Actelion would consider a sale if a suitor makes an offer "even close" to what the Swiss biotechnology company considers to be its value, Reuters reported, citing Chairman Robert Cawthorn. Article

> Bristol-Myers Squibb's Mount Vernon, Indiana, operation is contracting out its logistics and distribution activities to Exel, a third-party logistics provider. Item

> Novartis will soon launch a global review of the media portion of its more than $600 million advertising account, several industry executives have indicated to Ad Age. Report

> Bank of America upgraded shares of Biogen from neutral to buy as sales growth for the company's multiple sclerosis drug is tracking higher than expected; the bank set a $89 price target. Story

> Shanghai Pharmaceuticals said China's securities regulator approved its plan to issue up to 763.85 million so-called H shares in an initial public offering in Hong Kong. News

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Exelixis spurs takeover rumors with Goldman ploy. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Novartis gets expert panel support for its blockbuster Afinitor as a treatment for pancreatic cancer. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Successful biotechs try to fend off Big Pharma. News 

> Investors pony up $21M for F-star's antibody work. Item 

> Safinamide shows promising Ph3 results against dyskinesia. Story 

> Pfizer, FoldRx drug extends survival. Article 

> Report: Actelion would consider sale at the right price. News

Drug Delivery News

> Report: Monoclonal antibodies set to drive drug-delivery growth. News

> Modified herpes simplex virus delivers anti-pain gene therapy. Story

> Study: Most kids do not use inhalers properly. Article

> Nano-capsules may solve solubility problem of anti-cancer drug. Report

> Taming photosensitive chemicals to deliver drugs. Item

Medical Device News

> Biomet announces Q3 results. News

> Mirador closes $1.5M Series B funding round. Article

> Lanx launches Durango, Concero systems. Item

> Shuren to appear on Capitol Hill to discuss FDA approvals. Report

> ReGen files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Story

And Finally... Good news for women in their 50s--the health risks related to hormone therapy with estrogen might go away after they stop the treatments. Report