ViiV pulls app for new Selzentry indication; U.S. Hikma unit aims for CMO growth on drug shortages;

@FiercePharma: Scientists who worked on targeted leukemia meds--Novartis' Gleevec, BMS' Sprycel--make Nobel predictions list Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> ViiV Healthcare, the HIV concern jointly owned by GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) and Pfizer ($PFE), has pulled its appication for a new once-daily indication for its drug Celsentri/Selzentry, saying it needs additional data. Report

> Hikma Pharmaceuticals said its U.S. unit West-Ward would focus on contract manufacturing growth, seeing an opportunity in the increasing number of drug shortages in the country. Release

> Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) Janssen unit launched its new prostate cancer pill Zytiga in the U.K. Item

> Jazz Pharmaceuticals ($JAZZ) stock set a new high after it announced a deal to merge with Ireland's Azur Pharma in an all-stock transaction. More

> Abbott Laboratories ($ABT) shares gained after a Jeffries analyst said the company is undervalued compared with the rest of pharma. Report

> Express Scripts ($ESRX) and Medco Health Solutions ($MHS) executives touted benefits of their proposed merger on Capitol Hill but investors remain skeptical that the deal will pass regulatory scrutiny, Reuters says. Story

> Takeda Pharmaceutical rolled out two dosages of its type 2 diabetes drug Liovel in Japan. Article

> Strides Arcolab got the FDA nod for its version of the high-powered antibiotic vancomycin. News

> Pharmacy services firm PharMerica ($PMC) said its board unanimously rejected Omnicare's ($OCR) $15-per-share hostile bid for the company. Release

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Report: Just 10% of drug moving through trials between 2003 and 2010 were approved by FDA. Oncology drugs faced toughest road. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Creating co. on bleeding edge of a new technology can cut both ways. PacBio axes 130 jobs, slams brakes on spending. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: I hope to see lots of Boston biotechies at Oct. 19 breakfast featuring R&D heads at Biogen, Vertex and @JohnCFierce. Info | Follow @RyanMFierce

@MaureenFierce: RT @thecortex: Merck boss uses 12 different names for "job-cut" in memo. Report | Follow @MaureenFierce

> Pacific Biosciences axes 130 jobs as it slams brakes on spending. Piece

> Orexigen will mount $100M comeback try for spurned weight drug. News

> Hospira preps PhIII biosimilar study as it grabs lead on new market. Item

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Medtronic awarded $101.2M in patent infringement case. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

> Medtronic awarded $101.2M in patent infringement case. More

> Boston Sci prevails in lawsuit over sales group. Story

> Former Wright exec takes reins at Intrinsic. Report

Drug Delivery News

> Feds back nasal med for cyanide poisoning. Report

> Lasers craft neuron-delivery 'trucks' for Alzheimer's. Piece

> Ultrasound could aid delivery of drugs into brain. Item

> Alkermes wraps buyout of Elan drug-delivery biz. Story

> Unigene, Tarsa score Ph3 win with oral peptide drug. Item

> Sanofi fuels microneedle trend with flu vax. More

And Finally... The World Health Organization reports a new polio outbreak in China after vaccination campaigns faltered. Report