Seeking new leader, EMA taps interim head; Sanofi ($SNY) sells U.K. site to Covance;

@FiercePharma: Watson nabs authorized-generic deal with J&J. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> The European Medicines Agency has appointed its administrative head, Andreas Pott, as acting executive director from Jan. 1, following a series of delays in recruiting a new permanent leader. Report

> The Sanofi-Aventis site at Alnwick, U.K., has been bought by American firm Covance, with the majority of the 140 staff transferring to the new owner. Article

> At a time when the FDA is increasingly criticized for its oversight of foreign drug-making plants, the chief of its recently created International Compliance Branch has departed. Item

> Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX.TO) posted a quarterly loss, hurt by increased expenses, in its first quarter after being bought by Biovail and set a special dividend as well as a $1.5 billion buyback. Report

> Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN) Chief Executive Daniel Bradbury said the drugmaker can withstand the recent setback it suffered when U.S. regulators declined to approve its proposed diabetes drug Bydureon. News

> Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI.N) posted a huge drop in net income due to a legal settlement charge but reported profit excluding items and revenue slightly ahead of Wall Street targets. Story

> Par Pharmaceutical (PRX.N) posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by robust sequential growth of its generic drugs and a strong start to its omeprazole sodium bicarbonate capsules. Article

 @FierceBiotech: Biogen restructuring claims 650 jobs. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

> Report: Acceleron cuts 40% of staff. Story

> NASDAQ gives Cell Therapeutics another warning. Item

> Newron, Merck Parkinson's drug misses goal. Article 

> CRO Charles River cuts 300 more jobs. Item 

Vaccines News

> Study: Support of mandatory HPV vaccine declines after negative news coverage. Item 

> GlobeImmune HCV vax shows promise in trial. Story 

> Sanofi dengue vax enters PhIII. Article 

> The 26 vaccine-preventable diseases. Report 

> Report: Higher income parents increasingly forgoing kids' vaccinations. News

Manufacturing News

> Safety advocates say FDA guidance not enough. Article

> DARPA efforts tweak tobacco-based vax making. Story 

> ERP provides ops boosts at AHN, BioVectra. Item 

> Plastic pallet makers report for duty. Article 

> Novartis journeys to Mecca for Saudi vax effort. Report

> FDA reminds, guides on fighting musty odor. Item

And finally ... A drug approved to help staunch bleeding in people with hemophilia raises the risk of heart attacks and stroke when it's used to stop life-threatening bleeding due to other conditions, such as trauma or surgery, a new study finds. Report