The oncology program at Gilead Sciences ($GILD) took a hit this week when the drugmaker halted 6 trials of Zydelig for first-line use in blood cancers after reports of serious side effects--including multiple deaths--among participants in several of the studies. It turns out Gilead also will be replacing it top oncology leader as well. Just ahead of the report, oncology head Philippe Bishop left the company, only about 15 months after taking the position. Gilead said the two events were unrelated and Gilead's Chief Scientific Officer Norbert Bischofberger said the company is pressing ahead in cancer drug research. Story | More
@FiercePharma: UPDATED: Nasdaq exec says biotechs prime Asian unicorns for listings. More from FiercePharmaAsia | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: First came the recall, then the FDA plant ban, now the warning letter to Emcure plant for faking data. More from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: J&J chief Gorsky suffers cuts in bonus, incentive pay, but still racks up $23.8M. News | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Celltrion says switching to its biosimilar of Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) Remicade had no negative effect on safety or efficacy in 10 real-world studies. Release
> Johnson & Johnson OTC product Tylenol is not effective for arthritis pain, according to new study results. More
> U.K. cost watchdogs have finalized the controversial new version of the U.K. Cancer Drugs Fund, and they say the arrangement will give the U.K. the fastest approvals of effective cancer drugs in Europe. More
> The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reviewing direct-acting hepatitis C antivirals--such as Gilead's ($GILD) Harvoni--on worries that they may reactiviate hepatitis B. Release
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: GE Healthcare hand-held ultrasound in pilot NHS test, $20M Nigerian health initiative. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: The chart is just so darn startling/horrible. (Have mentioned it in stories about opioid abuse-deterrent tech.) More from the NYT | Follow @VarunSaxena2
> Cash-rich Zimmer Biomet will have $4.7B to spend on M&A over next few years: Analyst. Story
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: FierceBiotech Radio on GSK's CEO shakeup, Lilly's Alzheimer's uncertainty, and Valeant's latest disaster. More | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Too bad, if so. $SFY has a beautiful building in Paris. And after its recent Gallic eruption, Paris looks like home. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
> BerGenBio secures a $25M capital raise for its first-in-class cancer drug. Story
> Lilly CEO's Korean tour sparks rumors of a biosimilars deal with Samsung. Article
> What's next for Gilead in oncology? More
And Finally... Belgian and Polish adolescents are among the least happy in Europe, according to a new report on adolescent health and happiness. More (sub. req.)