Teva execs says Cephlon probe won't derail deal; AZ breast cancer drug gets Japanese OK;

@FiercePharma: Merck joins drug cos. looking outside pharma for expertise: New strategy chief from Lenovo Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> Bill Marth, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' ($TEVA) North American chief, told the Philadelphia Inqurier that the company's planned merger with U.S.-based Cephalon ($CEPH) was still on track despite a newly disclosed federal investigation of that company. Report

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) said its estrogen-receptor agonist Faslodex won approval in Japan for treating postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. Release

> Japan's Santen Pharmaceutical agreed to buy the French eye-drug company Novagali Pharma ($NOVA) for up to 102 million euros ($139 million). Story

> Pfizer sued Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to block the generics maker's attempt to market a generic version of its erectile dysfunction drug in Russia. Item

> The Gates Foundation-led vaccine alliance, GAVI, plans to fund rotavirus vaccination programs in 15 more developing countries. Report

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) bought back 401,000 more shares for 2853 pence per share. More

> Sagent Pharmaceuticals launched its version of paclitaxel, the widely used cancer treatment, in the U.S. market. Piece

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Intercell seeks drug-patch partners after stock meltdown. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@RyanMFierce: @JohnCFierce it's like the top 10 pharma wants to date RNAi without telling anyone. Did someone say RNAi has cooties? | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MaureenFierce: Childhood vaccine funds agreed for more poor nations. Article | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Santen strikes $139M deal to snap up Novagali's eye treatments. Item

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Shuren says guidance on de novo coming shortly. #AdvaMed2011 | Follow @FierceMedDev

> J&J unit to buy SterilMed. Article

> DJO, Exos ink distribution agreement. Item

> Sony buys Micronics to enter new field. Report

> SpineGuard scores $6.2M. More

Drug Delivery News

> 'Nano-swimmers' could carry drugs to tumors. News

> FDA clears Smiths Medical's wireless infusion pump. Story

> Pacira's long-acting pain drug advancing. Story

> U.K.'s Silence grabs RNAi delivery deal with Big Pharma. Report

> Intercell seeks drug-patch partners after stock meltdown. Item

> Roche trial buoys antibody-based delivery of cancer drugs. Piece

And Finally... Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens sees a precedent supporting President Obama's healthcare law in a 2005 medical-marijuana decision. Report