PDL to provide $40M in financing to Avinger; Kymab inks antibody deal with Novo Nordisk;

@FierceBiotech: AstraZeneca works both sides of the Atlantic in forging new cancer drug deals. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: India's clinical trial industry shrivels in wake of safety controversy. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Eli Lilly targets journos on Twitter and Facebook as pharma coverage goes social. Story | Follow @RyanMFierce

> PDL BioPharma struck a deal to provide Avinger with up to $40 million of mezzanine financing. PDL is providing $20 million at closing and up to an additional $20 million upon achievement of certain future revenue milestones. Release

> The U.K.'s Kymab has struck an antibody discovery deal with Novo Nordisk ($NVO). No financial terms were disclosed. Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Medtronic teams up with ARCA for a-fib trial. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Device and Dx companies are seeing a softening in demand, even with the health reform law still ramping up. Article | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: As it prepares to go public, Quintiles pulled in $927M in revenue last quarter, 4.2% growth. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> BAROnova's anti-obesity device aces early trial. Story

> Avinger wins $40M commitment backing PAD catheter rollouts. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: To expand HPV vaccination, U.S. public health types should take hints from their Aussie counterparts. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Alcohol dependence drug Selincro may provide some relief for Lunbeck's Lexapro hangover. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

> Aussie stats show HPV shots effective, but will U.S. parents listen? Story

> Top AstraZeneca investor backs Soriot and his 'golden hello.' More

> Ready to target GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi wins 6-in-1 vaccine nod in EU. News

CRO News

> Quintiles' revenue jumps 4.2% in Q1. News

> Indian clinical trials plunge amid increased scrutiny. Article

> Ex-Aptuit researcher jailed over falsified trial results. Story

> Covance bets on Singapore with central lab expansion. More

> GSK, Allergan marred by CMO setbacks. News

Biotech IT News

> Eli Lilly targets journos on Twitter and Facebook as pharma coverage goes social. More

> Multiple myeloma data project could drive innovation. Article

> TEDMED lifts ViS above eClinical throng. Story

> Top 10 Biotech IT Investments in the past year. Special report

And Finally… The World Health Organization now says it has tracked 102 cases of bird flu, which includes 20 dead. Story