Valeant's ($VRX) relationship with now-dissolved specialty pharmacy Philidor may be the one that has drawn the most scrutiny from short sellers, investors and regulators. But it was litigation from another specialty pharmacy, R&O, that opened up the controversy in the first place. Now, Valeant has settled that R&O lawsuit, it said Wednesday--but that hardly means it's out of the woods. As the Canadian drugmaker recently disclosed, the SEC is investigating, and sources have told The Wall Street Journal that its Philidor connections are the subject of the probe. Release | More
@FiercePharma: Ceva makes strides toward animal health dominance with strong 2015 sales. More | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: More biologics manufacturing capacity comes online in the US. Story | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: AbbVie's $595M anti-inflammatory deal promises an even bigger battle for psoriasis share. News | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Sanofi ($SNY) poached a Novartis ($NVS) executive, Dr. Ameet Nathwani, to serve as its chief medical officer, and elevated the post to its executive committee. Release
> Bayer plans to stop selling its multiple sclerosis drug Betaferon in China, local media reports. Report
> A federal court in Illinois revived some claims in litigation against makers of testosterone drugs, which claim that drugmakers improperly marketed the meds for off-label use. Report
> Teva ($TEVA) rolled out another dosage strength of its generic version of AstraZeneca's ($AZN) respiratory med Pulmicort Respules. Release
> The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs added Merck & Co.'s ($MRK) new hepatitis C drug Zepatier to its coverage list. Report
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: BD forms $500M JV with private equity firm Apax to house ailing respiratory biz. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@VarunSaxena2: FDA loss in Vascular Solution off-label promotion case foreshadowed Amarin settlement. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2
@EmilyWFierce: Biopharma, Republicans and doctors dig in for fight against new CMS cancer-drug cuts. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Theranos rival HealthTell raises $26M to support its drop-of-blood diagnostics. More
> Abbott to launch 1,000+ patient trial to standardize traumatic brain injury testing. Story
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Strike 3: Struggling Xoma jettisons its lead drug after (another) PhIII failure. News | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Sarepta has a new date with an FDA AdCom for Duchenne drug eteplirsen. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Could MedImmune be about to start paying its way for AZ? Article
> Experts: Drug trial disaster followed several missteps; new rules needed. More
CRO News
> 'Molecule to blame' in fatal French drug study. More
> Icon teams up with a nonprofit to help drive better patient outcomes. Report
> Data collection firm ERT is changing private equity hands. Story
> Swiss CRO PSI stretches its reach into Israel. Article
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Merck hands top manufacturing job to Sanat Chattopadhyay. Report
> Lupin finishes Gavis buy, giving it U.S. manufacturing beachhead. Story
> Bain-backed compounder QuVa gets slapped by FDA for plant failings. Article
> Pfizer expanding API plant in Australia. Item
Pharma Asia News
> Price pressure on drug sales in China accelerates in 2016. Report
> Japan's AMED names 8 projects for pre-designation orphan review. Item
> Carlyle-backed Meinian Onehealth snaps up Ciming for $415M. Story
> China FDA approves Roche's cervical test CINtec. More
> Challenged Benitec moves to get word out on hep B candidate. Article
And Finally... Pfizer launched an accelerated share repurchase plan with Goldman Sachs worth $5 billion. Report