Sanofi to trim $170M in annual costs; Novartis' Gilenya hits relapse study target;

@FiercePharma: That $2B to $3B deal size is Big Pharma's sweet spot: Novartis, Roche and now Sanofi say so. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Sanofi ($SNY) CEO Christopher Viehbacher told The Boston Globe that the company will trim $170 million in annual costs as it absorbs Genzyme, the rare-disease specialist it bought last year. More

> Novartis ($NVS) said its multiple sclerosis pill Gilenya hit its target in a late-stage trial testing its ability to stave off a relapse in symptoms, with Gilenya patients 48% less likely to relapse than placebo patients. News

> Andrew Lansley, CEO of the U.K. cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE, pledged to require all National Health Service trusts to provide agency-approved drugs to patients who need them, ending so-called "postcode prescribing." Report

> FDA received applications for generic versions of three HIV-fighting drugs: Merck's ($MRK) Isentress, GlaxoSmithKline's ($GSK) Epivir and Bayer's Beyaz. More

> A new strain of tuberculosis that's resistant to all drugs used to fight the disease has emerged in India, local media reports. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: CRO consolidation to slow in 2012, Icon CEO says. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: It's good to be the CEO, says BMS chief Lamberto Andreotti at #JPM12. Give him his due, he earned it. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

@MaureenFierce: Researchers develop tech to detect inherited MPS disorders. Article | Follow @MaureenFierce

@RyanMFierce: AstraZeneca taps IMS Health to mine outcomes data, electronic health records and to develop analysis platform. News | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MarkHFierce: It seems that nanotech delivery advances are getting serious already in 2012. | Follow @MarkHFierce

> Early-stage biotech investor Flagship launches $270M fund. Article

> Sanofi deal strategy will shun hep C in global hunt for new 'pearls.' More

> Actelion braces for looming pivotal data on blockbuster macitentan program. Story

> Bristol CEO touts successful biopharma blitz after big hep C play. News

Medical Device News

> Ishrak: Medtronic has eyes on overseas acquisitions. Item

> Ventana, Pfizer, CST collaborate on NSCLC companion diagnostic. Article

> Medical imaging company NeuroLogica grabs $12M in funding. Story

> Active Implants rakes in $10M in financing round. News

> Olympus brings suit against current, former execs over accounting scandal. More

Drug Delivery News

> Nanotech penetrates prostate cancer cells armed with chemo drugs. Story

> Endo grabs BDSI's drug film chronic pain treatment through global license. Article

> Novel nanoparticles penetrate fruit flies' brains; people's may be next. More

> Civitas' inhaled L-dopa Parkinson's treatment passes Phase I. News

Biomarkers News

> Early blood test could predict baby's sex. News

> Researchers find new lung cancer biomarkers. More

> As genome sequences get cheaper, is more always better? Article

> Immune biomarker could link to autism. Story

And Finally... Psoriasis sufferers may be at a greater risk of blocked arteries, a new study finds. Report