Allergan ($AGN) may have its first Restasis competition on the way from Shire ($SHPG), which recently submitted its dry-eye candidate lifitegrast to FDA reviewers. But between Restasis' formulary coverage and market share and the new meds Allergan itself has coming up the pipeline, the Dublin drugmaker isn't worried, branded pharma chief Bill Meury told investors Monday. More from FiercePharmaMarketing
@FiercePharma: Japan's MHLW to review 3 drugs, 2 devices for Sakigake list. FiercePharmaAsia article | Follow @FiercePharma
> A U.S. jury ordered Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) to pay $72 million to a woman who claimed her ovarian cancer was linked to use of the company's talc-based products, including baby powder. Report
> Germany's Merck KGaA said its consumer health sales saw "nice" growth last year; the company reports its annual results in early March. Report
> GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) plans to create 50-plus new jobs at a plant in Scotland that focuses on antibiotics. Report
> GSK also wrapped up its deal for Bristol-Myers Squibb's ($BMY) HIV-focused pipeline, paying $350 million up front, plus potential milestones. Report
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: FDA advisory panel votes against recommending approval of Medtronic spine implant. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@StacyALawrence: Philips unveils wearable, wireless vitals patch that goes from hospital to home. Story | Follow @StacyALawrence
@EmilyWFierce: op employers aim at Big Pharma with group project to bring down drug costs. More from FiercePharma | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> ResMed to offer its customers software-based services thanks to $800M purchase of Brighttree. More
> Vaginal ring shields some women from HIV in NIH-backed study. Article
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Ignyta dumps some Teva cancer drugs to focus on its top prospects. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Incredible what a horrible, awful, no good year this has been for Duchenne MD patients and families. Nothing but rout and disaster. | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Codexis sues a rival over 'brazen' patent infringement. News
> Sanofi cuts research staffers in Boston as reorganization looms: report. Item
> Ignyta dumps some Teva cancer drugs to focus on its top prospects. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> FDA allows banned China plant to ship chemo API that is in short supply. More
> China halts track-and-trace project because of complains against Alibaba. Item
> GSK opens expanded operations, adds 55 jobs, in Scotland. Report
> EMA cites another China plant for manufacturing, data flaws. Story
> Zydus Cadila gets 'first' FDA approval to ship from Ahmedabad plant. Article
Drug Delivery News
> FDA approves UCB epilepsy med, allows administration without titration. Report
> Saudi researchers show linking drugs to nanotubes helps them battle breast cancer. Story
> Two HIV-preventing vaginal ring studies promise protection for women in developing countries. More
> Amgen gets rights to Unilife's wearable and injectable devices for $75M. Item
> Capsugel to manufacture inhaled particle candidates developed by Pulmatrix. Article
Pharma Asia News
> Japan's MHLW to review 3 drugs, 2 devices for Sakigake list. Item
> BMS PhIII hep C combo results a milestone for China plans. More
> Novartis South Korea office target of bribery probe. Report
> China's IMPACT Therapeutics raises $10M in Series B funding. Story
> China's system to track fake drugs put on hold, CFDA says. Article
And Finally... Novo Nordisk ($NVO) said its new longer-acting basal insulin Tresiba helped type 1 diabetics avoid hypoglycemia better than its head-to-head competitor Lantus, from Sanofi ($SNY), in a new study. Report