@FiercePharma: Now FDA-approved, Ranbaxy plant in India ships copycat Lipitor--Reuters. News | Follow @FiercePharma
> Teva Pharmaceutical Industries ($TEVA) launched the first generic versions of Sanofi's ($SNY) blood pressure drugs Avapro and Avalide in the U.S. Article
> After Switzerland's SonntagsZeitung reported that Roche ($RHHBY) might drop its takeover offer for the gene-sequencing firm Illumina ($ILMN), the Swiss drugmaker said it's looking forward to "swift completion" of its bid. News
> The Federal Trade Commission approved the merger of pharmacy benefits managers Express Scripts ($ESRX) and Medco Health Solutions. Report
> Swiss authorities approved reimbursement for Roche's ($RHHBY) targeted melanoma treatment Zelboraf. Item
> GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) and Dainippon Sumitomo are preparing to launch a controlled-release version of the antidepressant Paxil in Japan, where they will co-promote the product. More
> Astellas Pharma inked a licensing deal with Optimer Pharmaceuticals on the C. difficile treatment fidaxomicin, sold as Dificid in the U.S., with a $20 million up-front payment and $70 million in possible milestones. Report
> Aurobindo Pharma shares dropped after the Indian government named its managing director in a probe of conflict-of-interest allegations involving former minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Story
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: New drug blocks brain cancer advance, making chemo kill easier. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: So do we add Tokai's CRPC drug galeterone to the list of promising early-stage treatments? Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Social and/or collaboration apps are changing how we work in media, and at biotech companies too. Item | Follow @RyanMFierce
> GSK's Witty calls for joint effort on antibiotic development. Item
> Lundbeckfond leads $25M B round for AlloCure's Phase II stem cell study. News
> AVI tanks after positive PhIIb fails to improve outcomes for DMD. More
> Keryx, Aeterna shares crater on word of Phase III cancer study failure. Article
Medical Devices News
@FierceMedDev: Therapeutic hypothermia startup raises $1M, looks to clinical studies--MedCity News. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Device tax creeps into presidential, Senate campaigns. Article
> Medtronic will pay $85M to resolve Infuse shareholder suit. News
> 2 molecular diagnostics companies grab major money. Story
> Swiss report: Roche may abandon Illumina bid. More
IT News
> NIH grabs share of Obama's new $200M bet on big data. News
> Computer-based discovery biotech from Israel lands in Bay Area. Story
> Tech startup cuts through social media noise for drug and device outfits. More
> Computer-based discovery biotech from Israel lands in Bay Area. Article
> Big Pharma and devicemakers plot careful social media moves. Piece
And Finally... Inclined to experiment on yourself? Here's a how-to guide. More