Electrical stimulation to help paralyzed rats relearn rear leg movement; Covidien launches colorectal surgical stapler;

 @MarkHFierce: Folks, there's still time to submit your nominations for the FierceMedicalDevices Fierce 15 private device developers. Survey | Follow @MarkHFierce

> St. Jude Medical's ($STJ) stock is down about 24% from this time last year, but promising devices on the horizon could pay off big for the company, Barron's reports, and its shares could go up by 33% this year. Analysis

> On the heels of recalling its Roticulator line of staplers, Covidien ($COV) is launching the Endo GIA Radial Reload, a stapler designed for colorectal surgeries. Release

> A NeuroSigma-funded clinical trial at UCLA has generated promising initial results using external trigeminal nerve stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression, along with drug therapy. Release

> Critical Diagnostics has hired Richard Hughes as its vice president of business development for Europe. He's a veteran industry executive who has worked for companies including Alere and British Biocell. Release

> Insight Genetics, a molecular diagnostics company, has licensed a lung cancer test to Chinese competitor, Kindstar Globalgene (Beijing) Technology. The deal is the first stem in a partnership designed to expand the availability of molecular diagnostics tests for cancer in China. Release

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Forest Labs nabs rights to anti-MRSA antibiotic from Nabriva for $25M. Release | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Now this you hardly ever see: BMS CEO throws down the gauntlet on Gilead, demands combo hep c study. Check it out. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: How many times did Marina change its name during lackluster run? I count at least 2 changes. | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Genzyme/Sanofi's oral MS drug Aubagio beats placebo in PhIII. More

> New chairman ramps up CEO search at struggling AZ. Article

> Marina Biotech hits a funding wall, shuts down RNAi ops. Story

> Bristol CEO says Gilead holding out on hep C tie-up. News

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: PhRMA emails show behind-the-scenes dickering on industry's healthcare reform deal--WSJ. More | Follow @FiercePharma

> South Koreans eating up generic Viagra. Story

> Judge blocks run at Human Genome's 'poison pill' defense. More

> New AstraZeneca chairman looks for CEO. Article

> Takeda recruit refocuses marketing, R&D on emerging markets. More

> And Finally... Researchers in Switzerland were able to use electrical and chemical stimulation to help rats paralyzed by spinal cord injury learn to move their hind legs again, while wearing a rehabilitation device, MIT's Technology Review reports. Story