Allergan has dropped plans to acquire Shire. Allergan said Thursday that it had no plans to acquire Shire after saying it was in the very early stages of considering a deal that day. The decision left Takeda Pharmaceutical as the only known company considering a Shire acquisition. (CNN Money)
German Merck is seeking partners to develop cancer and immune system drugs. The company wants to develop experimental treatments in these two areas and is looking into licensing deals to fund clinical trials. (Reuters)
Johnson & Johnson decision to beef up its vision portfolio seems to be paying off. In the past year, J&J Vision has diversified its line, expanding to include a contact subscription and surgical products. The division posted $1.1 billion in sales last quarter, up from $798 million the year before. (CNBC)
Biogen invests $1 billion in neurology deal with Ionis. The two companies announced the 10-year, $1 billion pact that allows Biogen to license and commercialize a range of neurological therapies. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. (Reuters)
Future doctors may be picking up bad habits at teaching hospitals with records of safety violations. STAT’s analysis of teaching hospitals found a wide disparity in how often some are cited for violations by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (STAT)
