Sanofi announces U.K. plant closure; U.S. shortages won't be resolved soon, officials say;

@FiercePharma: EMA orders production of cancer meds Caelyx (a.k.a. Doxil) and Ceplene to be moved from Ben Venue plant $JNJ $EPCT. News | Follow @FiercePharma

> Sanofi ($SNY) officially announced the closure of its Newcastle-area plant and the loss of some 450 jobs as it revamps manufacturing to deal with generic competition. Report

> U.S. drug shortages could last for years as drugmakers tool up to increase production, officials say. Item

> European regulators recommended generic drugs from Teva ($TEVA), Accord Healthcare and Fresenius, and expanded use of Novartis' Menveo and Sanofi's Proquad. Story

> Almost three-fourths of patients on targeted cancer drugs have taken other meds that either interfere with their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects, a Medco Health Solutions study has found. Article

> Sanofi has agreed to buy the U.S. medical device firm Pluromed to expand in biosurgery, the company said. Report

> EU officials are poised to grant approval to Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) buyout of devicemaker Synthes, based on concessions offered by J&J. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Analysis on biotech VC math by via @LifeSciVC explains why smaller funds make sense. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Ian Read's comp jumped 44%, to $25 million, when he get the big promo at Pfizer. Item | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Active Biotech up news that partner Teva plans to seek European okay for MS drug $ACTI $TEVA. Story | Follow @RyanMFierce

@FierceMedDev: Sanofi to buy U.S. medical device firm Pluromed via @reuters. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

> Active Biotech gets boost from late-stage oral MS program. Story

> FDA questions benefit of Merck and Ariad's bone cancer drug. Report

> VCs rally behind Tarsa Therapeutics in $28M B round. News

> Sanofi beefs up former Genzyme unit with Pluromed buyout. Item

> After slashing jobs, Pfizer CEO Ian Read draws $25M. Article

And Finally... Healthcare for the 1%: Wealthy families are increasingly paying tens of thousands in annual retainers for access to better providers and services. Report