Direct Flow wins FDA nod for U.S. trial; Devicor buys biopsy tech;

@FierceMedDev: Efforts to repeal device tax stall ahead of Memorial Day break. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI yesterday: PwC says be on the lookout for 'transformational' med tech deals. Report | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@MichaelGFierce: UC Davis team isolates fungus enzyme to cross blood-brain barrier. FierceDrugDelivery story | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences settle the score in ongoing patent feud. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Direct Flow Medical secured the FDA's blessing to start a U.S. trial of its transcatheter aortic valve system. News

> Boston startup Cocoon Biotech is raising a $750,000 seed round to develop injectable silk designed to treat joint ailments. More

> Cincinnati's Devicor Medical, maker of minimally invasive biopsy devices, has acquired the rights to Biopsy Sciences' HydroMark technology. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: ICYMI yesterday: Angry $AZN investors may hold the only key to a $PFE deal. Editor's Corner | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: You ever notice how a statement from Big Pharma often sounds like it came from the Death Star? And they wonder why they have such a bad rep. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Takeda's IBD drug vedolizumab wins FDA approval, will sell as Entyvio. Report | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Animal model that mimics hep B, C in humans could spur new treatments. FierceBiotech Research story | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Swelling ranks of AstraZeneca's dissident shareholders press for a Pfizer deal. Story

> AstraZeneca partner Ardelyx pitches $69M IPO. Item

> Shire heads to the FDA with its dry eye drug despite a so-so PhIII. Article

> Gene therapy upstart bags a $22M A round for neurodegenerative work. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Top-read on FP Tues: How did AstraZeneca make the Pfizer bid a Harry vs. Voldemort story? Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Some $AZN investors are balking at the board's $PFE snub. Others are practically high-fiving Chairman Johannson. More from Reuters | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: warning letter ravages Sun Pharma's data deletion methods at plant in Gujarat. FiercePharmaManufacturing article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Should FDA allow drug ads to include price comparisons? A planned study aims to find out. FiercePharmaMarketing story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Need a job? J&J, Novartis and Biogen Idec are pharma's favorite employers. Article

> Emerging market playbook: Egypt's Amoun Pharma puts itself on the block. More

> Who gets the likes when it comes to job hunting? Think J&J, Novartis and Biogen Idec. Story

Drug Delivery News

> Stem cells loaded with herpesvirus attack glioblastoma brain tumors in mice. Story

> Phosphagenics' animal health topical patch shows promise. Story

> Smallest, fastest nanomotor moves drugs and releases them on demand. More

> New data boost Insmed's inhaled liposomal delivery mechanism for lung infections. Article

> Reckitt Benckiser to develop nasal spray for emergency overdose of opioids. Report

Diagnostics News

> KineMed, CHDI extend their Huntington's biomarker development deal. News

> Blood Dx shows promise helping women to predict premature labor. Report

> German researchers tie CTC presence to breast cancer survival odds. More

> Water Street bets on German specialty Dx outfit. Article

> U.K.'s Enigma Diagnostics jumps into China with disease pathogen testing. Story

Pharma Marketing News

> Top payer group shoots down Gilead's hep C drug Sovaldi on price. Item

> Novo preps for FDA panel hearing on lucrative obesity use for liraglutide. Story

> FDA weighs the free-speech case for off-label marketing. Report

> Allergan's pipeline in a drug, Botox could keep new marketing twists coming. Article