@FiercePharma: Actavis' merger cost-cutting isn't Valeant-style. But it's still $1.8B. Story | Follow @FiercePharma
@CarlyHFierce: Valeant and Allergan's wining-and-dining shows docs still hold the script reins. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> A state court jury in West Virginia ordered Takeda to pay $155,000 in penalties for destroying files about the development and marketing of its diabetes drug Actos, which was said to prevent a defendant from proving a case about the effects of the drug. Story
> India's Trade Ministry is said to be reluctant to issue a compulsory license to allow a generic of Bristol-Myers Squibb's ($BMY) Sprycel even though the Health Ministry is urging it. Story (sub. req.)
> Animal health leader Zoetis ($ZTS), which is fighting off Bill Ackman's hedge fund from pushing it to sell the company, has approved a $500 million share buy-back. Release
> Bayer's Eylea has been granted another approval in Japan, this one to treat diabetes-related visual impairment (DME). Report
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: FDA panel recommends approval of Alcon intraocular lens. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: Sales of heart devices pump new life into $MDT's Q2 earnings, boost revenues to $4.37B. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Brain tumor treatment device gets early trial halt for efficacy as a combo with chemo. More
> Texas judge tosses out 76 suits in J&J's ongoing vaginal mesh litigation. Story
> FDA to more than double staff in China as visa issues appear resolved. Article
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Novartis joins Atlas in launching a CRISPR Cas biotech with a $15M bankroll. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: FDA orders $CYTR to halt patient enrollment after death of a cancer patient - and they're scrambling to lift hold. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
@DamianFierce: $ACT's Saunders: looking at a "mid to high teens cut to our R&D spend" after $AGN integration, mostly "low-value programs." | Follow @DamianFierce
> Novartis revs up a promising pharmacoeconomic case for heart failure drug LCZ696. Report
> AstraZeneca toasts to independent living with big plans for its Pfizer-free future. Story
> FDA orders CytRx to halt patient enrollment after death of a cancer patient. Article
Biotech Research News
> Microbiome research project IDs 'good' bacteria that combat obesity. Article
> Knocking out a pair of genes may help prevent a relapse of leukemia. Story
> Structural modeling at Scripps points to better Ebola drug cocktails. Article
> Cardiovascular investigator pinpoints a new drug target in heart disease. Item
> Brown fat fingers a new target for metabolic disorders, including diabetes. More
Pharma Manufacturing News
> Ranbaxy fights FDA for killing its approval to make generic Nexium. Story
> Apotex recalling blood pressure med made at banned plant in India. Report
> Recipharm picks up two more plants, this time in Portugal. Item
> Bristol-Myers to build $900M biologics plant in Ireland. Story
> Getting more FDA inspectors in China on Hamburg's agenda for trip to China. Article
And Finally... A new study found that employees at a company moved to a consumer directed health plan with high deductibles filled fewer prescriptions of both branded and generic meds. Story