Look out, Novartis ($NVS). Eli Lilly ($LLY) is now one step closer in the EU to challenging the Swiss pharma's new psoriasis standout, Cosentyx, with its own next-gen therapy, ixekizumab. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)'s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has backed a go-ahead for the therapy, and regulators typically green-light recommended approvals within three months. More from FierceBiotech
@FiercePharma: Look out, drugmakers: NICE is taking the reins of England's Cancer Drugs Fund. Story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI: Short on label expansions, Pfizer nabs FDA OK for new, once-daily Xeljanz. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Boehringer Ingelheim's Ofev cut the risk of acute exacerbations by around 50% in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. Release
> Ireland's Amarin ($AMRN) reported a 62% leap in fourth-quarter sales of fish-oil drug Vascepa. Report
> Belgium's UCB expects further expansion of its top and bottom lines this year after its three newer drugs drove earnings by more than expected in 2015. Report
> UBS forecasts that HIV drug unit ViiV Healthcare will contribute almost half of GlaxoSmithKline's ($GSK) operating profits by 2020. More
> A hearing has begun in India on whether Gilead Sciences' ($GILD) hepatitis C cure sofosbuvir is based on novel science and is entitled to a patent. Release
> The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has recommended approval of Alprolix from Biogen ($BIIB) and Sobi for treatment of hemophilia B. Release
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI: Boston Scientific's Brazilian operations under investigation, as co-founder to depart. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Intel hops on the precision medicine bandwagon with new projects for 2016. News | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> FDA warns of unintentional head movement during surgery despite use of skull clamp. Story
> Boston upstart raises $46M, makes acquisition for translational imaging in biopharma R&D. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Charities and pharma decry 'disgraceful' changes to England's Cancer Drugs Fund. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Glad to see the top trending story yesterday was the Exicure profile. Doesn't always happen with little biotechs. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: Wired is getting into dystopian fiction. Wired story | Follow @DamianFierce
> FierceBiotech Radio on the FDA's new boss, Sanofi's latest shortcut, and a little 'financial innovation.' Listen
> Report: Fatal French trial ignored preclinical warning signs. News
> Lilly rolls toward EU approval with a potential psoriasis blockbuster. More
And Finally... This week's $72 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) in a U.S. case alleging links between talc-based powder and ovarian cancer doesn't necessarily mean future plaintiffs will be able to convince juries that the product caused their illnesses. More