Instagram's latest updates could help pharma companies get more out of using the social app. Longer videos, for instance, give more room for drugmakers to comply with FDA disclosure rules, and leave a little room for creativity, too. More from FiercePharmaMarketing
@FiercePharma: ICYMI yesterday: With pricing power waning, time for Big Pharma to become a lean, mean, well-oiled machine. Article | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Merck adding a couple hundreds manufacturing jobs in Ireland. FiercePharmaManufacturing article | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: Express Scripts steps up its Valeant feud with microscopic look at every claim. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> A small number of big-name investment funds got back into Valeant Pharmaceuticals ($VRX) toward the end of 2015, after the drugmaker's shares were pummeled by controversy over its relationships with specialty pharmacies and high-profile price increases. Report
> Roche ($RHHBY) and AstraZeneca ($AZN) won the FDA's breakthrough designation for a couple of blockbuster drugs: The Swiss drugmaker's multiple sclerosis treatment ocrelizumab and AZ's cancer immunotherapy durvalumab. Report
> California regulators are set to implement a law making birth control pills available over the counter. Report
> Industry trade groups PhRMA and BIO are publicly criticizing the White House's 2017 budget, which contains new ideas on controlling drug costs. More
> Merck ($MRK) and Indian drugmaker Sun Pharma have agreed to dissolve a JV set up in 2011 to develop and market branded generic drugs in emerging markets outside India. More
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: GSK partners with Belgian neurostim startup in bioelectronic medicine research. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Kentucky lawmaker proposed a bill that would require men to get a note from their spouse for a Viagra Rx. NYT story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Virtual reality startup reels in $100M for rehabilitation device. Report
> Singaporean smart chip could enable next-gen wireless neural implants. Article
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Survey: Biopharma gets a bad grade on gender diversity. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: It's been fun watching the traffic/responses on the gender issue last few wks. There's a whole segment of the male audience tuning it out. | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: happy birthday to Wizards legend Michael Jodran. | Follow @DamianFierce
> Roche and AstraZeneca snag 'breakthrough' tags for a pair of blockbusters in waiting. Article
> Flexion's pain drug comes through in Phase III after a prior pivotal failure. News
> Catalyst hits an FDA roadblock with its 'breakthrough' rare disease drug. More
> Orbimed helps bankroll Synlogic's drive to the clinic with $40M round. Report
Biotech Research News
> Scientists use old vaccination method to beat new viruses. Article
> Johns Hopkins scientists create 'mini-brains' for neurodegeneration researchers. Story
> Penn team shines a light on creating brown fat to fight diabetes. Report
> Hype around worm study on potential Alzheimer's treatment is derided. Item
> Analysis: Scrap the NIH funding model and switch to a lottery. More
Vaccines News
> U.K. report: Vaccines could help in superbug fight. Item
> Walter Reed kicks off PhI trial of Inovio's MERS vaccine. News
> Sanofi ships 1M Dengvaxia doses to Philippines, in talks for 3M more at €20 a dose. Report
> Russia to test Ebola candidate in Guinea: AFP. Story
> NIH, Bharat Biotech hold the lead in Zika vaccine race: WHO. Article
Pharma Marketing News
> It's not just payers waiting on PCSK9 outcomes data. Doctors are holding back, too. Story
> Instagram updates could help pharma tap new audiences--and maybe get creative, too. Report
> Can BIO's heartfelt image campaign win hearts and minds? Pharma skeptics aren't convinced. More
> McCann Health adds new chief growth officer to get ahead in changing industry. Story
> Merck's new hep C contender Zepatier faces a long runway, but 2017 could bring takeoff. Article
And Finally... Gastric reflux drugs may be linked to dementia risk, according to a study in German patients. Report