Covidien wins judicial OK for labor lawsuit class action settlement; Allergan's Q4 revenue climbs higher;

@FierceMedDev: Edwards wins wider use for older model Sapien heart valve in Europe. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Thoratec's HeartMate revenue growth is certainly not what it once was. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Check out today's special report: The top drug delivery partnerships of 2013. Report from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: CVS takes cigarettes off the shelf, despite projected dip in profits. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Covidien ($COV) wants to pay $2.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused it of pressuring workers not to take breaks, and a California judge has signed off on the agreement. Story

> Medtronic's ($MDT) scientists and engineers in Tempe, AZ, are behind development in what would be the world's smallest pacemaker, a vitamin-sized device that just began global clinical trials. Story

> Allergan ($AGN), which produces eye care products, breast implants and a number of other medical devices and drugs, said its fourth-quarter revenue climbed 14%. Story (subs. req.)

> Haemonetics ($HAE), a Massachusetts maker of blood collection and other med tech-related products, will hold its annual investor and analyst meeting on Tuesday, May 20. Item

> In a regional first for North and South Carolina, doctors at Carolinas HealthCare System say they've implanted a total artificial heart in a 49-year-old male patient. SynCardia makes the FDA-approved device. Story

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Purdue launches $12M tit-for-tat fund to seed new biotechs . More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: We're seeing a mix of upsized IPO successes with some disappointments as well. Seems the theme for biotech's Q1 biotech. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: In the next two years, $GSK expects 6 PhIII readouts and 10 PhIII starts. Release | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: A new strain of avian flu in China has killed one woman and infected at least one another. Story via Washington Post | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Merck loops Pfizer, Amgen and Incyte in on MK-3475 immunotherapy deal spree. News

> GlaxoSmithKline reloads its pipeline with new PhIII drugs following approvals, setbacks. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: New chief expands Novo team for stepped-up assault on U.S. diabetes market. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Gilead in talks with Indian drugmakers to sell Sovaldi at cut-rate prices. Report | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: My colleague Mark Hollmer offers a thoughtful analysis of pacemakers after having one put in. Check it out. More | Follow @EricPFierce

> Novartis vaccine unit is no wallflower: It has suitors flirting with a deal, too. More

> Merck's earnings miss slightly but it was not the 'mega-miss' some anticipated. Story

> Gilead sales leap 21%, thanks to fast-growing HIV pills Stribild, Complera. Report

Drug Delivery News

> The top drug delivery partnerships of 2013. Special Report

> Oramed touts PhIIa insulin pill study results; analysts say 'Prove it.' Story

> Microchip coated with cells gives insight into nanoparticle penetration. Article

> Regulus renews Sanofi microRNA pact to focus on orphan, cancer treatments. Story

> Novo Nordisk taps Zosano's microneedle patch for diabetes drug delivery. News

> Pfizer snags electroporation device license from Ichor for cancer vaccine delivery. News

Diagnostics News

> Israeli team finds that diabetes Dx can also screen for at-risk patients. Story

> Myriad Genetics jumps into RA Dx with its $270M Crescendo Bioscience deal. News

> Loyola team zeroes in on two biomarkers linked to an infant bowel disorder. Article

> Thermo Fisher's revenue climbs as U.S. regulators clear $13.6B Life Tech buy. Story

> NeoGenomics' 22 cancer tests hit the market. Item

> The next possible stroke biomarker might be oxidized LDL. Story

Pharma Marketing News

> Digital agencies use ice cream, quirky tees to woo talent away from rivals. Item

> New chief expands Novo team for stepped-up assault on U.S. diabetes market. News

> How fast can Gilead's hep C star go from zero to $6 billion? Story

> That drug's got personality. But is it 'original,' 'dependable' or both? Article

> As doctors get device-happy, reaching them is a 3-pronged strategy. Story

> UCB nabs Asian marketing rights to hot Biogen MS drugs. News