@FiercePharma: Sanofi launched a gadget that lets diabetes patients check their blood sugar on iPhones and iPads. News $SNY #pharma | Follow @FiercePharma
> Acquisition-hungry Valeant Pharmaceuticals ($VRX) snapped up a 19.9% stake in Brazil's Pele Nova, gaining a toehold in that country and adding a share of the company's skin business to its growing dermatology channel. Report
> The Federal Trade Commission appears less likely to nix the proposed merger of pharmacy benefits managers Medco Health Solutions ($MHS) and Express Scripts ($ESRX). News
> As Vertex Pharmaceuticals ($VRTX) prepares to leave Cambridge, MA, for digs elsewhere in the Boston area, a real estate investor is eyeing new housing for part of the drugmaker's former site. Story
> County officials in North Carolina are rethinking incentive payments to Pfizer ($PFE) as the company slashes its head count at a local vaccine facility. Article
> Time is running out for non-profit organizations to apply for one of GlaxoSmithKline's ($GSK) $40,000 Impact Awards, aimed at improving access to healthcare. Report
> India's Biocon has established API partnerships for an assault on the U.S. market for generic Lipitor, executives say. More
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Disappointing cancer data triggers sharp drop in Peregrine $PPHM shares. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Pretty grim morning for biotech. 2 trial disasters and a near bankruptcy. But, hey, HemaQuest raised $13M. Release | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: LSD gets another look as anti-alcoholism remedy. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce
@FierceMedDev: NY Times: Asahi Kasei of Japan Agrees to Buy Zoll Medical for $2.2 Billion. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Tranzyme shares implode as lead GI drug flunks its PhIII closeup. Item
> Pfizer spearheads push to get pain drugs back on blockbuster track. Report
> Bionovo slashes bulk of staff, cuts costs as cash runs out. Story
> HemaQuest nails $13M VC extension for sickle cell program. News
> Disappointing cancer data triggers sharp drop in Peregrine shares. Story
> Anthera shares collapse on halt of Phase III cardio trial. Item
Medical Device News
> Doctors in limbo over recalled St. Jude defib lead. Item
> UnitedHealth lobbies for molecular Dx management. Report
> LensAR raises $24M to back laser system. Story
> Asahi Kasei scoops up Zoll for $2.2B, reflecting Japanese companies' hunger for growth. Item
> BSX grabs ICD startup Cameron Health for $150M+. Report
> Genetic sequencing price tag plunging. News
Biotech IT News
> What IT services do biopharma execs really want? More
> Google VC-backed startup plays 'Moneyball' in Big Pharma partnerships. Report
> Medidata projects big year, settles lawsuit. Story
> Accelrys stays on growth track in Q4. News
And Finally... U.K. scientists are testing a combination of two off-patent drugs, including the antidepressant tranylcypromine, as a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Report