1. Genomics company Illumina and tech giant IBM announced a partnership that aims to encourage hospitals outside major networks to do DNA sequencing for cancer patients. The DNA results could help patients find approved and experimental medication options. (Forbes)
2. Johnson & Johnson will issue a report next month showing the U.S. price increases of its prescription drugs, including average price increases of all of its drugs sold in the U.S. as well as the average price after discounts. (WSJ)
3. The FDA approved Egalet’s claim that its long-acting opioid painkiller Arymo ER deterred abuse by those intending to dissolve and inject it, but denied the drugmaker’s claim that it was also effective in deterring snorting and chewing. Daiichi Sankyo’s extended-release morphine product MorphaBond has market exclusivity until 2018 on the snorting-deterrence claims. (Reuters)
4. FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine Dr. Stephen Ostroff will serve as acting commissioner of the agency when Dr. Robert Califf resigns his post effective Inauguration Day on January 20. (Stat)
5. The FDA granted Roche priority review of its immunotherapy Tecentriq to treat metastatic urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer. Tecentriq received FDA approval last year for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma as well as non-small cell lung cancer. (Reuters)
