@FierceMedDev: Cornell: Metal stents work well as blocked bile duct treatment. Item | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: Third Rock is rolling out a new $516M VC fund, for device, Dx and biotech companies. Target: early-stage companies. Release | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Abbott is warning overseas surgeons about a safety issue with MitraClip, all as it seeks FDA approval. Report | Follow @DamianFierce
> Covidien ($COV) will launch a new effort to buy back up to $3 billion of its shares, on top of a $2 billion share repurchase program under way since August 2011. Release
> Hologic ($HOLX), a maker of diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical tools focused on women, has completed the $85 million sale of its LIFECODES business to Immucor. Item
> Cambridge Cognition, a maker of neuropsychological diagnostic tests, will pursue an IPO in the U.K. Story
> CardioDx, a 2012 Fierce 15 company, generated promising data in a recent trial that showed its Corus CAD was more accurate in diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease in women than evaluation of symptoms and myocardial perfusion imaging. Release
> SQI Diagnostics has completed a proof of concept test for two forms of heparin using its signature diagnostic tech. Item
> ConservoCare, a startup spun off from Case Western Reserve University, is developing a nerve stimulation device that helps treat bladder-control problems. Story
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: More on CRO shutdown from FierceCRO.com: Former Cetero shutters ops, leaving sponsors, patients locked out. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Third Rock Ventures adds $516M fund to back new portfolio of biotechs. News | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Astellas Pharma taps supercomputer for IT-driven drug discovery. More | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Versant adds $7.5M to upstart biotech's A round. Story
> Strike two: FDA hands United Therapeutics another rejection on oral Remodulin. Article
> Novartis snags FDA approval for antibiotic in CF patients. Story
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Interesting look at Big Pharma's new-drug sales, a.k.a Freshness Index, from Forbes columnist Bernard Munos. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Actavis getting nearly $3 million from taxpayers to expand a plant in Florida. Story | Follow @EricPFierce
> Drugmakers on edge as pay-for-delay case hits Supreme Court. Item
> Early copies of Sanofi's Aubagio could roil European MS market. Article
> AstraZeneca zaps another Crestor generic threat with Actavis settlement. News
CRO News
> Bayer deepens Cambodian presence with DKSH partnership. More
> Sanofi beefs up CMO game with Transgene deal. Item
> Dr. Reddy's wins $22.5M from CRO Nordion. News
> Duke's in-house CRO snags trial deal for RNAi drug. Article
> ShangPharma wins investor vote for go-private plan. Story
Biotech IT News
> BlackBerry founder bets on quantum tech in life sciences. Item
> NextDocs and Microsoft pushing clinical trials to the cloud. Story
> AstraZeneca IT chief talks up Big Data amid R&D turmoil. Report
> Biotech data merges onto UC San Diego's Big Data "freeway." Article
> Merck slashes data-management costs with China site. More