Last year, GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) traded away most of its cancer assets to Novartis ($NVS) in exchange for the majority of the Swiss drugmaker's vaccines portfolio. But it's not out of the area altogether, and now, it's sweetening a deal with oncology partner Adaptimmune. Glaxo has promised more cash to speed up development of a promising treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, pledging to fund pivotal trials for the immunotherapy. Read more from FierceBiotech
@FiercePharma: Roche expects April price cut for Avastin in Japan where Tamiflu sales also hit. FiercePharmaAsia story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Don't expect a generics-style smackdown from Remicade biosims, J&J CEO says. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> The controversial and bankrupt California-based biotech KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, briefly run by "pharma bro" CEO Martin Shkreli, needs to be taken over by an independent trustee, a Justice Department unit says. Report
> CVS Health ($CVS) says it will make the opioid antidote naloxone available over the counter in Ohio to help reduce overdose deaths. Report
> Allergy specialist Stallergenes Greer, based in London, has restarted production at a plant in France where operations had been suspended. Report
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: IBM Watson, AHA and Welltok to develop workplace heart health program. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: Updated w analyst info: Stryker to buy disposable device maker for $2.8B to reduce hospital-acquired infections. Report | Follow @VarunSaxena2
@EmilyWFierce: Roche sees no 'short term' pricing pressure for company's cancer drugs: Reuters. FiercePharma story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Med tech shops around for cost-cutting deals amid increased demand from hospitals. Report
> At Baxter, Covidien's Almeida looks to cut costs, fuel innovation and do smaller acquisitions. Story
> Swiss contract manufacturer diversifies into med tech via $895M acquisition of Creganna Medical. Article
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Backed by J&J and Glaxo, veteran VC group splits from Index, unveils $227M fund. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Trending: Will Zika frenzy fuel an overnight vaccine R&D miracle? Don't bet on it. More | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: the only thing I miss about working at a newspaper is election night pizza. | Follow @DamianFierce
> GlaxoSmithKline up-sizes its bet on Adaptimmune, racing forward with a cancer immunotherapy. Story
> Sanofi chops into R&D operations in France in latest retrenchment. Article
> Glaxo, Atlas syndicate bankrolls Spero's drive into the clinic with $30M round. Report
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Troubled Sun Pharma manages U.S. launch of copy of blockbuster Gleevec. Report
> Teva U.K. plant cuts 80 jobs as drugmaker looks for higher skilled workers. News
> CDMO Vetter finishes IT upgrade at German facility. Story
> FDA hands Wockhardt and Ipca more disappointing news. Article
> Allergan CEO suggests expanded Texas plant may be in store for more jobs. More
Drug Delivery News
> Mercator launches microinfusion catheter trial for below-the-knee ischemia. More
> New CRISPR/Cas9 delivery method could offer a clinical pathway. Report
> FDA approves the first extended-release orally disintegrating tablet for ADHD. Item
> Dr. Reddy's wins approval for injectable generic to treat migraines. Story
> Aprecia completes $35M financing to support launch of the first 3-D printed medication. Article
Pharma Asia News
> BMS details new Japan hit to hep C sales. Item
> India's Sun Pharmaceutical meets Feb. 1 deadline for U.S. imatinib launch. More
> Management moves to take Nasdaq-listed Sinovac Biotech private in growing trend. Report
> China's Qiming's fifth U.S. dollar venture fund clocks in at $648 million in commitments. Story
> Amgen says it's awaiting reimbursement details after Japan Repatha nod. Article
And Finally... The internet in your head? The brain's capacity is 10 times greater than previously thought, a study found. Report