TOP STORIES
Pfizer has agreed to acquire Anacor Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at $5.2 billion. The Big Pharma company is particularly interested in Anacor’s crisaborole for its experimental treatment for eczema, which has the potential to be a blockbuster drug. Anacor submitted crisaborole in a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for the use of crisaborole to treat mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis in children and adults. The FDA is expected to make a decision in January 2017. — BusinessWire
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Biogen has initiated a collaboration with University of Pennsylvania for gene therapy with two gene therapy pioneers there — Jean Bennett and James Wilson. Biogen will provide $62.5 million in research funding over the next three to five years across seven programs. Penn stands to gain up to $2 billion provided it meets the milestones built into the alliance agreement. — Xconomy
LIFE SCIENCES
The Senate Aging Committee has released a batch of files of Valeant Pharmaceuticals communications regarding its pricing strategy. — FDA News
A 45-year-old drug to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, Naloxone, has suddenly jumped in price. Drug makers cite increased manufacturing costs for the price rise. — Politico
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Exthera Medical has raised $12 million to support the development of a blood filter for kidney dialysis patients susceptible to bloodstream infections from catheters. — Mass Device
Pfizer has moved to prevent its drugs from being used for executions, joining 20 other pharma companies. — The Washington Post
4Tech has added Dr. Jean-Claude Laborde as a research and development and clinical adviser to support its transcatheter device to repair Tricuspid heart valves. — BusinessWire
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Mercy’s virtual care arm will virtually monitor intensive care unit patients at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as part of a partnership deal between Mercy and Penn State. — PR Newswire
A survey by HIStalk asking who is most responsible for physician satisfaction has some interesting results; the federal government comes out on top but in second place…wait for it…physicians! — HIStalk
TECHNOLOGY
A study of 16 direct to consumer dermatology websites raises questions about their reliability. None of the websites asked for identification, prescriptions were ordered in 65 percent of diagnosed cases. — Science Daily, JAMA Dermatology
Lyra Health’s Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder Dena Bravata is leaving the behavioral health tech startup with at least two others from the clinical team. — Fast Company
An article draws attention to the relative lack of clinical validation for mental health apps. — Psychiatric Times
POLITICS
Billioniare investor, Dallas Mavericks owner and ABC’s Shark Tank Panelist Mark Cuban claims he was asked to run against Donald Trump for the Presidential race but believes it’s too late now. He declined to specify who reached out to him but it’s more like a guy reached out to his “DC guy.” Last year he said he would crush Hilary Clinton and Trump if he ran, which may be why Republicans sought him as a third party alternative. — CNN
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
If you have ever thought to wonder what would happen if infrared radiation were applied to whiskey, I’m happy to tell you, a distillery has some answers. — Popular Science
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