IPierian mergers and leaves, Biogen wins a speedy review, and Millipore sues Goretex in today’s NewsFlash Roundup.

• SBIR vote makes major changes to federal R&D program

First, the bill would establish a guideline saying that only firms less than 50 percent owned by venture capital firms are eligible to receive SBIR grant money. Previously, there had been no limit on funding for VC-backed companies, but there had been a limit on how much each agency could give to VC-backed firms. That limitation — 15 percent of the total grant money by a federal agency — has been removed in the bill, known as HR 2965.

• Biogen wins speedy FDA review for MS drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted “Fast-Track” status for a Biogen drug target for multiple sclerosis. Biogen is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 3 clinical trial for the drug, called PEGylated interferon beta-1a (BIIB017). The company plans to enroll 1,200 patients in the study.

• IPierian merges with iZumi Bio, takes stem cell R&D to Calif.

Boston-bred pharmaceutical startup iPierian Inc. has merged with San Francisco-based iZumi Bio Inc., a stem cell and drug discovery firm. The newly formed company, to be named iPierian Inc., has received $11.5 million in funding, led by Boston venture capital firm and iPierian founding investor MPM Capital. (more…)