Data from Kantar Media and Manhattan Research suggest that adult consumers are increasingly using social media to search online for so-called “health” data. Forty-five percent of US adult consumers used social media for health-related purposes in 2012, according to data from both research firms as cited by eMarketer. Professional services firm KPMG also found, in a survey of pharma and biotech companies, that 43% of respondents planned to increase their use of social medial with patients—7% said use would remain the same. Although, when asked if they plan to increase or decrease their use of social networks, 46% of those polled fell into the category of “not sure/decline to answer.” Biopharma’s uncertainty is unsurprising given the lack of FDA guidelines for social media, observes eMarketer.

Durham, North Carloina-based biotech Scioderm received “Breakthrough Therapy” designation for SD-101, a treatment for patients with rare cases of epidermolysis bullosa, and $16 million in Series A financing today. Scioderm is the first non-big pharma to receive the designation, as reported by FierceBiotech. Epidermolysis bullosa makes the skin very fragile and thin, which can cause tears.

GlaxoSmithKline submitted an NDA today for umeclidinium bromide (UMEC), an investigational once-a-day medicine for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). GSK submitted an EU regulatory application for umeclidinium bromide on April 26. UMEC is administered using the Ellipta inhaler.