Takeda zapped for destroying Actos records; India balks at undermining BMS Sprycel patent; Zoetis to buy back $500M in shares;

@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