HIV drugs to be uniquely shielded from generic pricing pressure in public payer scheme

Strict first-line generic, prior authorization mandates are unlikely. by BioPharm Insight

Novartis has fair claim to challenge German drug pricing law though weak case to protect diabetes drugs

Law wording leaves room for legal action though Novartis may fall short of victory. by BioPharm Insight

Asia investment grade bond volume looking flat for the year

Coupons and maturities to drive deals through the first half but returns will be lower. by dealReporter

Endo’s law suit against Impax for crush-proof Opana unlikely to reach settlement before May FDA ruling

Generic challengers to the pain drug can build around Endo’s patents regardless of the FDA ruling. by BioPharm Insight

Japan private equity landscape expected to see deal upswing in 2013

Political change and Japanese companies’ thirst for outbound growth expected to contribute to rise in private equity deals this year. by mergermarket

Best Buy buyout talks quiet

Pencils are down days ahead of bid deadline. by dealReporter

Crisis hit platinum sector ripe for consolidation amid restructuring

Glencore-Xstrata, African Rainbow Minerals and Sedibelo set for change in 2013 as miners respond to rising costs and labour unrest. by dealReporter

Active Biotech/Ipsen’s prostate cancer drug mechanism clouds opinion of improving overall survival

Drugs with a potentially similar mode of action have failed in the past. by BioPharm Insight

National Grid’s battle with Ofgem reflects political focus on energy

Ofgem stance on the new eight year price control framework could have implications for National Grid’s balance sheet . by dealReporter

EU TrendMonitor – Almunia legacy to take shape with major cases wrapping up and important legislative initiatives imminent

Supply chain concerns rejected in CFIUS review of A123

BRICS Russia TrendMonitor - Russia’s FAS to take tough 2013 line on cartels, strategic asset protection

Alibaba to meet advisors after holiday on group IPO, sources say

Lilly/Boehringer remain coy on insulin glargine’s EU, FDA regulatory strategies

Addition of concept of “collective dominance” to Indian Competition Act will strengthen country’s antitrust regulator

Barnes & Noble’s Nook looks to textbooks, sources say

Managed Healthcare first round bids due in early February, sources say

Global Display’s atypical CEO breeds loyalty

Eurasian Economic Commission to develop competition law by July 2013 - minister

NSFR implementation uncertain after Basel III compromise on LCR phase-in

Baxter’s Gammagard unlikely to be successful in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s

CADE probes into LCD and CRT segments expose challenges facing Brazilian enforcement

Ridley Terminals mandates Macquarie for privatisation

Dubai Group strikes deal with dissenting banks

Noodles & Company interviewing advisers for initial public offering

Turkey’s merger control system to benefit from higher thresholds and streamlined test - lawyers

Merck’s Zetia/atorvastatin combo pill unlikely to gain FDA nod until cardiovascular impact results available

High hopes for buyouts in 2013 – analysis

DoJ has hands off Google (mostly); could risk ‘holy war’ if it attempts do-over

How Best Buy’s Schulze missed Christmas

High multiples and attractive dynamics attract PE firms to flow control sector

German competition law reform delayed until next year

Merck, BMS/AZ, Novartis face 2013 German price cuts on DPP-4 diabetes drugs

Hillshire’s doubtful growth may attract disrupter

Shire’s strong Vyvanse data and lack of abuse potential bode well for use in EU paediatrics – psychiatrists

Chinese leadership change, not island spat, at heart of MOFCOM’s Japanese bottleneck

Sprouts Farmers Markets to go public in 1H13

Permira-backed Netafim seeks China partner to grab share of irrigation market

Vertex’ Kalydeco faces UK price pushback though solid cystic fibrosis data warrants funding settlement

Sanofi/Zealand’s antidiabetic lixisenatide triggers mixed feelings on prospects for showing cardiovascular benefit

Theravance’s antibiotic Vibativ gasps for breath in hospital pneumonia

The Investment Dar debt deliberations include claim reclassification

LodgeNet plans to clear debt hurdles with lift from Colony Capital

Economist Shelanski leads candidates for FTC chairmanship

Postsecondary education M&A creeping back - Analysis

China’s inland LNG capacity expansion presents major export opportunities for foreign technology providers

Panasonic seeks to exit Sanyo-brand TV business, sources say

China to release its first biosimilars guidelines, aims to speed up drug registration process

Timing of FTC ‘Big Google’ case points toward settlement