1. GlaxoSmithKline said it would not spin off its consumer business. Chairman Philip Hampton said the company would only consider a breakup after the business improves its profitability. (Reuters)
2. Merck CEO Ken Frazier signaled an interest in a new, significant acquisition. He noted on his company’s recent earnings call that “we can go after deals across the whole spectrum, early, middle, and late-stage compounds.” (Fortune)
3. Gilead Sciences is also open to a new acquisition. CEO John Milligan said in an interview, “it’s time for us to go out and do important deals.” He went on to say the company is looking for a key product in oncology. (Bloomberg)
4. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving a $38 million grant to Takeda Pharmaceuticals to develop a low-cost vaccine for developing countries. Takeda said it would use the funding to supply at least 50 million doses of a poliovirus vaccine to more than 70 developing countries. (Economic Times)
5. An FDA advisory committee recommended an immediate-release version of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, manufactured by KemPharm, for approval. The panel voted against the drug, KP201, receiving abuse-deterrent labeling, however. (MedPage Today)
