Covidien partners with Vida Diagnostics; Critical Diagnostics expands EU marketing;

 @FierceMedDev: New radiation therapy companion Dx in the works. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Roche's diagnostics division sales fell flat in Q1. Dx tests sold well, but its diabetes arm tanked. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: We read the FDA's budget request so you don't have to: The agency wants an 11% raise for device approvals. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Critical Diagnostics, which develops cardiovascular disease-related biomarkers, has inked new distribution deals in Italy, Russia, Isreland, Bulgaria, the U.K., Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. Item

> Covidien ($COV) has signed a deal to distribute Vida Diagnostics' pulmonary imaging software devices. Release

> Avioq won a CE mark for its human T-lymphotropic virus assay, testing for a leukemia-related ailment. The diagnostic is already FDA approved. News

> Maquet Cardiovascular nailed down both FDA 510(k) clearance and a CE mark in Europe for a new radial compression device designed to stop bleeding after a radially accessed coronary catheterization procedure. Release

> Sanuwave Health said it has secured a U.S. patent to use external shock waves in a blood sterilization technique. Item

> CD Diagnostics will be spotlighted on an April 15 episode the Discovery Channel's "Health Heroes," which will focus on orthopedic innovations. Story

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Still trending: Analysts rank the top 10 blockbuster duds in biopharma. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Everywhere in the world Big Pharma cuts pretty much as it pleases. Sanofi in France? No way. No how. WSJ Report | Follow @JohnCFierce.

 @RyanMFierce: In case you missed last night: J&J, Roche and others back platform to bolster translational drug research. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Omthera discounts IPO shares, prices at $8. Item

> NEA, Pfizer build a launch pad for a portfolio of orphan-drug biotechs. News

> GlaxoSmithKline stakes a pioneering effort to launch 'electroceutical' R&D. Report

> Bristol-Myers maps $250M manufacturing expansion to support growing R&D effort. Story

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Roche's Avastin delivered in the first quarter, too: 11% growth, to 1.53B francs, almost back to 2010 levels. | Follow @FiercePharma

 @EricPFierce: FDA did 813 inspections in 62 countries last year, but it says it needs even more money to keep up. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

> President's budget takes a big bite out of Medicare drug spending. News

> Pharma reps aren't talking about drug risks, study finds. Report

Pharma Manufacturing News

> FDA nails Pfizer plant for contaminated Torisel diluent. News

> Sanofi plant ramps up malaria treatment with cutting-edge technology. Article

> FDA budget would expand China office. Story

> Hamburg to face Congress again over compounding lapses. Report

> Mylan Napa plant to close by year-end. Article

Vaccines News

> U.S. works with Inovio in prep for bioterrorism vaccinations. Article

> China expects H7N9 vaccine in 7 months. Item

> Ovarian cancer vax makes good start on long slog to approval. Story

> Negative vaccine views spread like viruses on Twitter. Article

> H7N9 an early test for revised U.S. pandemic preparations. Report