Boston Scientific buys suture tech; Abbott launches test automator;

@FierceMedDev: At long last, Sony and Olympus launch medical device joint venture. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: The tech behind your old DVD player may have a second life as an HIV Dx tool. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: JNJ CFO says company still "going through the process" of deciding whether to sell/spin off diagnostics business. | Follow @DamianFierce

> Germany's Injex Pharma succeeded in winning Chinese State Food and Drug Administration registration for its new needle-free injection system, culminating a process that took more than 18 months. Release

> Boston Scientific ($BSX) bought the fiXate Tissue Band, used to place spinal cord stimulation leads or pain pump catheters, from Anulex Technologies, and the company is launching the device in the U.S. More

> Abbott Laboratories ($ABT) has launched the Accelerator a3600, an automation system it says can speed up the processing of diagnostic tests. News

> Medtronic's ($MDT) Resolute Integrity stent is spotlighted in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, touting its benefits for patients with diabetes. Release

> A stent used in a minimally invasive way can help improve the function of dialysis access grafts in kidney failure patients on dialysis, a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and elsewhere concludes. Item

> Aushon BioSystems, a Massachusetts developer of immunoassay systems, has named its second new CEO in 8 months. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Analysis: 2012 life sciences VC fundraising and new bets shrivel. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@RyanMFierce: Eli Lilly reports positive top-line results from 2 PhIIIs of GLP1 drug, but are they positive enough to rival others? Release | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Johnson & Johnson tops pharma rivals in 10-year test of R&D productivity. Report

> Sarepta slips as FDA seeks more data on eteplirsen. News

> Judge turns down motion to appoint examiner or trustee in Biovest bankruptcy case. Report

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Branded drug companies deny samples to would-be generics makers. How? REMS, partly. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Merck starts up $120 million China packaging plant but cuts manufacturing operations elsewhere. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

> Drugmakers 'illegally' withhold samples from would-be copycats. More

> J&J pharma growth drives big increase in Q1 sales, profits. Article

> AbbVie to hack hundreds of reps from cardiovascular sales ranks. Story

Pharma Manufacturing News

> U.S. contract manufacturers kick off expansions. Article

> Hospira again names an exec to get manufacturing in order. News

> Bristol-Myers Squibb marries early-stage processes to biologics manufacturing. Article

Biotech Research News

@EmilyMFierce: Is the World's Top Neuroscience Group Quashing Dissent on the U.S. BRAIN Initiative? More | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Scientists develop technique to rebuild brain cells destroyed by MS, cerebral palsy. Report

> Mersana's cancer drug technology cures tumors in mice at low doses. Story

> New rat model could help scientists better understand, treat Alzheimer's. Article

> Role of brain enzyme linked to neurodegeneration in mice. Item