@FierceMedDev: We have extended the nomination deadline for the 15 fiercest medical device developers to July 13. Spread the word. Survey | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Johnson & Johnson (J&J) expects it will complete its $20 billion-plus purchase of Swiss medical devicemaker Synthes on Thursday, and that the deal will slightly boost company profit this year instead of dragging on earnings. Story
> A Morgan Stanley analyst has increased the odds of the device tax repeal succeeding from 10% to 30%, even though many still believe the bill is a long shot this year. Story
> Israel's Mazor Robotics, via distributor BR Holdings, has gained Korean FDA clearance to market its Renaissance surgical guidance system for spine procedures. Release
> Tandem Diabetes Care in San Diego is rolling out its t:slim next-generation insulin pump for the commercial market, designed with a touch screen user interface. The FDA signed off on the product in November. Story
> Cochlear Americas won FDA approval for its new Nucleus CI422 electrode, which it bills as "the world's thinnest, full length electrode" for use with a cochlear implant. Release
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: The ethics of finding markers in a fetal genome. Commentary | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Novartis is going to invest $700M in Malaysian biotechs? Really? Report | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Sequoia-backed startup enters race to make sense of the genome. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Upsher-Smith embraces biotech with $553M deal to buy Proximagen. News
> Rhythm banks $25M for mid-stage work on diabetes, obesity drugs. Story
> Merck preps FDA app after racking up positive PhIIIs on new sleep drug. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Here's an offbeat pharma story: Sanofi's investor relations team won the prize in a Thomson Reuters financial contest--Reuters. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
> Drugstores accuse Pfizer, Teva of blocking Effexor generics. Report
> Are the dog days over for Johnson & Johnson? More
> Big Pharma's Japanese sales gain as U.S., Europe lag. Story
Drug Delivery News
@DamianFierce: One U.K. company is developing a chocolate-based drug delivery platform, and NIH has taken notice. Story | Follow @DamianFierce
> Zogenix signs co-promotion deal for needle-free migraine treatment. More
> Allergan looks to needle-free delivery for Botox. More
> J&J moves forward with next-gen insulin delivery. Item
Biomarkers News
> Cluster of genes is biomarker for breast cancer recurrence. Story
> Methylation marker tags leukemia outcomes. Article
> Gene signatures tag breast cancer drug response. News
> Scientists detect Down syndrome using mother's blood. More
And Finally... Cardium Therapeutics has inked a deal with Advanced Biosciences Research to market Cardium's Excellagen topical wound care gel in Russia and 9 additional countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Release